Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of employees who are on Civil Service redeployment panels by grade; if his Department is required to accept staff from redeployment panels before promoting staff internally, assigning existing staff to higher duties on an allowance basis, or recruiting new entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44514/15]
View answerThe Public Service Agreements (the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the Civil Service and in other parts of the Public Service where there are surplus staff. A Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular (Circular 8 of 2010) setting out the arrangements across the Civil Service and between the Civil Service and Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies issued in July 2010 and can be found at http://hr.per.gov.ie/redeployment/
I have been informed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) that as of the end of October 2015 there are 26 Officers on the Redeployment Resource Panel, 11 civil servants and 15 from the NCSSB sector. The total number redeployed from the panel to date is 995.
Redeployment will generally take precedence over recruitment (including fixed term employees), transfers and promotions except in circumstances where special skills are required or where the post cannot otherwise be filled through redeployment arising from geographical or other constraints, or to meet essential manpower planning and business needs.
The Deputy will recall that at Budget time in October 2014 I also announced an end to the Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Public Service, to be replaced with new delegated management arrangements to be phased in during 2015 and 2016. These arrangements, which now apply to most Government Departments, give managers the means to respond to service needs as they arise, including considerable flexibility to make staffing and service level delivery decisions at the front line.
These new arrangements represent a significant shift away from the central control of the Moratorium and allow Departments greater management of their staffing resources.
The following table sets out the grades currently on the Resource Panel:
Civil Service Grades
|
Grades |
|
Principal Officer - 1 |
|
Assistant Principal - 1 |
|
Engineer Grade II - 1 Principal Officer - 1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer -1 Assistant Principal - 1 |
|
Executive Officer - 2 Engineer Grade II - 1 |
|
Clerical Officer - 4 Higher Executive Officer -1 |
|
Cleaner - 1 Executive Officer -2 |
|
Clerical Officer - 4 |
|
NCSSB Grades Cleaner - 1 |
|
NCSSB |
|
Snr Principal Scientific Officer - (Engineer) - 1 NCSSB Grades |
|
Prinicipal Officer - 1 Principal Officer - 1 |
|
Grade VIII - Manager - 1 Snr Principal Scientific Officer - (Engineer) - 1 Assistant Principal - 1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer - 2 Prinicipal Officer - 1 Engineer Grade II - 1 Principal Officer - 1 |
|
Senior Scientific Officer (Engineer) - 1 Grade VIII - Manager - 1 Higher Executive Officer -1 Assistant Principal - 1 |
|
Health & Safety Inspector (Eng Grade II) -1 Assistant Principal Officer - 2 Executive Officer -2 Engineer Grade II - 1 |
|
Shannon Development Executive 3 (E3) - 1 Senior Scientific Officer (Engineer) - 1 Clerical Officer - 4 Higher Executive Officer -1 |
|
Grade VII - Systems Analyst - 1 Health & Safety Inspector (Eng Grade II) -1 Cleaner - 1 Executive Officer -2 |
|
Level 3 A (HEO) - 1 Shannon Development Executive 3 (E3) - 1 Clerical Officer - 4 |
|
Level 3B (HEO equiv) - 1 Grade VII - Systems Analyst - 1NCSSB Grades Cleaner - 1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer - 1 Level 3 A (HEO) - 1 |
|
Executive Officer - 1 Level 3B (HEO equiv) - 1 Snr Principal Scientific Officer - (Engineer) - 1NCSSB Grades |
|
Retail Manager - 1 Higher Executive Officer - 1 Prinicipal Officer - 1 |
|
Clerical Officer - 1 Executive Officer - 1 Grade VIII - Manager - 1 Snr Principal Scientific Officer - (Engineer) - 1 |
|
Retail Manager - 1 Assistant Principal Officer - 2 Prinicipal Officer - 1 |
|
Clerical Officer - 1 Senior Scientific Officer (Engineer) - 1 Grade VIII - Manager - 1 |
|
Health & Safety Inspector (Eng Grade II) -1 Assistant Principal Officer - 2 |
|
Shannon Development Executive 3 (E3) - 1 Senior Scientific Officer (Engineer) - 1 |
|
Grade VII - Systems Analyst - 1 Health & Safety Inspector (Eng Grade II) -1 |
|
Level 3 A (HEO) - 1 Shannon Development Executive 3 (E3) - 1 |
|
Level 3B (HEO equiv) - 1 Grade VII - Systems Analyst - 1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer - 1 Level 3 A (HEO) - 1 |
|
Executive Officer - 1 Level 3B (HEO equiv) - 1 |
|
Retail Manager - 1 Higher Executive Officer - 1 |
|
Clerical Officer - 1 Executive Officer - 1 |
|
Retail Manager - 1 |
|
Clerical Officer - 1 |
82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have been placed on Civil Service panels arising from open competitions held in 2014 and 2015 to date by grade; the number appointed from open competitions by grade in each of the past six months; the estimated number of staff to be appointed by grade in the next six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44515/15]
View answerThe Public Appointments Service (PAS) is an independent, statutory body which provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil service. It operates under the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) Codes of Practice in conducting its business.
Assignments to fill vacancies are made based on requests received from Departments. The service is demand led and therefore it is not possible to predict the number to be assigned over the next six months.
The following table sets out information in relation to Civil Service General Service recruitment conducted by the Public Appointments Service as requested.
|
Grade |
Competition closed for applications |
No. placed on panel |
No. assigned/ recommended (to date) |
|
Principal |
March 2015 |
164 |
11 |
|
Assistant Principal |
June 2015 |
90 |
Interviews recently concluded and reference checks, etc. currently being carried out. Assignments to commence shortly. |
|
Graduate Recruitment (Administrative Officer & Graduate Economist) |
October 2014 |
112 |
112 offered assignment. 93 accepted. |
|
Graduate Recruitment 2015 (AO; Graduate Economist; Trainee Auditor & Third Secretary) |
October 2015 |
|
A new recruitment programme recently commenced and the selection process in currently in progress.
|
|
Executive Officer |
January 2015 |
338 |
Assignments commenced September. 78 assigned to date. Assignments ongoing as requested. |
|
Clerical Officer |
July 2014 |
11,500 qualified at initial selection stage. From this group, those placed highest are invited through to subsequent selection stages on an ongoing basis, if required. |
Total of 1,420 assigned to date.
817 of those within the last 6 months. |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer 2014 |
March 2014 |
13,191 applications received. |
Total Assigned 2,090 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer 2015 |
March 2015 |
14,143 applications received |
Assigned 1,740 (total to date) 1,152 assigned within last 6 months. |
83. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request the Office of Public Works to carry out remedial works to address flooding to the lands of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as the existing public water course river through the person's land is inadequate and this has already been examined as part of the Kenmare flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44522/15]
View answerThe location in question does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme falling under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the OPW therefore has no responsibilities in this area.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Council may also apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor works to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.
Kenmare town is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) being assessed under the South Western Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, however, the location in question is not within the Kenmare AFA. Further information on the Study is available on www.southwestcframstudy.ie
84. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of planned flood relief schemes (details supplied) in County Cork including the commencement and completion dates for each scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44534/15]
View answerIn relation to the Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme, a preferred scheme design option was presented at a statutory Public Exhibition which took place from 15 December 2014 to 20 January 2015. All the observations received from concerned parties have been answered. Detailed design of the scheme will commence shortly, which will be followed by a procurement process for a civil works contractor and the formal Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts. Subject to successful completion of the tender and Confirmation processes, it is hoped that construction will start in late 2016 or early 2017.
The position with regard to the Bandon Flood Relief Scheme is that the second stage of a tender competition for a civil works contractor is underway. Tender documentation has been issued to the short-listed candidates and tenders are due back in early January. The Scheme will shortly be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (PER) for formal Confirmation of the Scheme as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. The Minister will be required to undertake an independent review of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to ensure that all legislative requirements have been complied with before the Scheme can be approved. It is planned that works will commence in the summer of 2016.
The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme has been submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation and is also subject to an independent review of the EIS. Cork County Council is the Contracting Authority for the Skibbereen Scheme and the Council is progressing the process to procure a civil works contractor. Approval for the contractor appointment by the OPW as the sponsoring and funding agent must await the formal Confirmation of the Scheme by the Minister. It is hoped that this process will be completed in early 2016, which will allow construction of the Scheme to be commenced in mid-2016.
It is expected that the Clonakilty, Bandon and Skibbereen Schemes will take approximately 24-30 months to complete.
The Government remains fully committed to the provision of flood relief schemes for the people of Bandon, Skibbereen and Clonakilty and the OPW has made provision for the cost of implementing these schemes in its financial profiles over the years 2016-2018.
85. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief in Athleague village in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44537/15]
View answerAthleague is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and detailed flood risk assessment is being carried out by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works in partnership with Roscommon County Council. Draft predictive flood maps, produced under the Study, were the subject of a Public Consultation event in Athleague on 17 September 2014. The draft maps are scheduled to be finalised following the national statutory consultation process, currently ongoing until 23 December, 2015. Details are available on the consultation website http://maps.opw.ie/flood_draftmap_consult/.
As part of the process, a further Public Consultation event on preliminary options to manage flood risk was due to be held in Athleague on 8 December 2015. However, due to flooding in the town, it will be rescheduled for a date in early 2016. Flood Risk Management Plans for the Shannon CFRAM Study area are scheduled to be prepared during 2016. Data on the recent flooding in Athleague will be gathered by the Shannon CFRAM Study consultants and fully taken into account as part of work on the Study.
In 2010 funds were approved in the sum of €270,000 for works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project in Athleague County Roscommon.
No further applications have been submitted by Roscommon County Council for works at Athleague. It remains open to the Council to apply for funding under the above scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding.
86. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief in Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44538/15]
View answerRoscommon Town is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. A detailed flood risk assessment of Roscommon Town is being carried out by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Shannon CFRAM Study, in partnership with Roscommon County Council.
Draft predictive flood maps have been produced and a Public Consultation event was held on them in Roscommon Town on 24 April, 2014. The draft maps are scheduled to be finalised following the national statutory consultation, currently on-going until 23 December, 2015. Books of draft maps are available to view at the Council's Offices and on http://maps.opw.ie/flood_draftmap_consult/. Furthermore, as part of the development of preliminary options to manage flood risk, a Public Consultation event was held in Roscommon Town on 8 December, 2015. In response to the recent flooding in the town, data will be gathered by the Shannon CFRAM consultants and taken account of as part of the option development stage of the Study. Flood Risk Management Plans for each CFRAM Study area are scheduled to be prepared during 2016.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
The Council may also apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor works to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost no more than €500,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects, with the balance being funded by the local authority concerned. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Since 2010 funding of €457,200 has been approved under the OPW's Minor Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood mitigation works on the River Jiggy in Roscommon Town.
87. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief in Ballinasloe town in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44539/15]
View answerBallinasloe is an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) under the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. A detailed flood risk assessment of Ballinasloe is being carried out by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Shannon CFRAM Study, in partnership with Roscommon County Council.
Draft predictive flood maps have been produced and a Public Consultation event was held on the draft maps in Ballinasloe on 26 February, 2014. The draft maps are scheduled to be finalised following the national statutory consultation, currently on-going until 23 December, 2015. Books of draft maps are available to view at the Council's Offices and on http://maps.opw.ie/flood_draftmap_consult/. In response to the recent flooding in Ballinasloe, data will be gathered by the Shannon CFRAM consultants and taken account of as part of the option development stage of the Study. As part of the preliminary options development process, a Public Consultation event will be held in Ballinasloe early in 2016. Flood Risk Management Plans, which are scheduled for completion by the end of 2016, will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner.
Very significant funding, totalling €1.9 million, has been approved from 2010 to date by the OPW to Galway County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, in respect of flood mitigation works in Ballinasloe area.
88. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications for reinstatement, following retirement on grounds of ill health, with prior notice granted since 2004; the legislation, rules and procedures under which they were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44561/15]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that there have been no staff employed by my Department within the specified period who have been identified as having being previously retired on grounds of ill health.
89. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the organic scheme will be open for new entrants in 2016. [44460/15]
View answerThe first tranche of the new Organic Farming Scheme attracted an unprecedented level of applications, with the result that we have already met virtually all our targets in this area for the entire Rural Development Programme. This is a remarkable outcome and testifies to the strength of the consultation process which has lead to the design of a scheme which seems to answer a great many of the needs of the sector. The second tranche of the Organic Farming Scheme is now open for farmers who wish to convert to organic farming in 2016 and to organic farmers whose current contract ends on 31 December 2015. The closing date for the Scheme is 31 December 2015.
The requirement for a further tranche will be reviewed in 2016 mindful of expressions of interest and availability of funding.
90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue under the 2015 basic payment scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Sligo, the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44470/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2015 Private Contract Clause application to my Department. He was notified in writing on 22 October 2015 that this application was unsuccessful and was given the right to appeal this decision. No such appeal was received by my Department. The person named has received his Basic Payment Scheme advance payment on 19 October 2015 and his balancing payment on 1 December 2015 on foot of his pre-existing entitlements.
91. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the basic payment scheme and the areas of natural constraint scheme will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44473/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received by my Department from the person named on 28 May 2015. The Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application has been fully processed and payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
My Department also received a 2015 Transfer of Entitlements Allocation Right and Reference Value application from the persons named. This application has been processed and payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
92. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farm payments will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44480/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 24 May 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes is currently in progress. On completion of this process, the application will be further reviewed with a view to payment issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named at the earliest possible date.
93. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange to carry out the digitisation process to the lands of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44482/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) Schemes was received in my Department from the person named on 27 May, 2015. Processing of the ANC Scheme application has been finalised and payment has issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.
A late Basic Payment Scheme amendment form was received in the Department on 6 August 2015. This amendment form included a land parcel of 2.63 hectares digitised area with a claimed area of zero hectares. Processing of this Basic Payment Scheme application has been finalised. Advance and balancing payments have issued to the nominated bank account of the person named. There is no outstanding digitising in relation to this application.
94. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44483/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Area of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 15 May, 2015. All payments due under both schemes have issued to the nominated bank account of the person named.
95. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of applications under the basic payment scheme, the national reserve scheme and the young farmers scheme by persons (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44489/15]
View answerI can confirm that an application was received from Herd Number M2081792 on 29 February 2015 and is currently being processed for payment. An official from my department will contact the named persons directly and inform them of the situation.
96. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44490/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 17 April, 2015. Processing of the application under both schemes has been recently finalised and payments will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
97. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a lease of a building (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44491/15]
View answerThe organisation referred to by the Deputy was given special considerations in 2010 with regard to their tenancy in the building in Howth because of the voluntary and social nature of their activity.
The Department has received no recent correspondence directly from the organisation with regard to the issues raised by the Deputy. I can confirm that, as always, my officials would be willing to liaise with the organisation in this matter.
98. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44493/15]
View answerAn application under the Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes was received from the person named on 11 May 2015. Processing of this application under both schemes has recently been finalised and payments will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
99. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application under the basic payment scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44504/15]
View answerThere is no record of an application from the person named having been received under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme in my Department. An Official from my Department will be in contact directly with the person named to discuss the issue.
100. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in headage payments for 2015 being issued to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44507/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme/Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 26 May 2015.
Under the 2015 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Payment under the ANC scheme has not issued in this case as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named to advise him of the outstanding issues. I understand that further documentation in relation to this issue is now to be forwarded to the Department. On receipt of this documentation, the application will be further reviewed.
Under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme, a commonage parcel claimed by the person named has been over claimed. The commonage evidence supplied by all applicants of this commonage parcel is currently being examined. On completion of this exercise, appropriate payments will issue to the nominated bank accounts of all the herd owners concerned.
