Written Answers Nos. 1-82
59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is sufficiently robust oversight in relation to State procurement and contracts to ensure that all those contracted to do works or to provide services to the State are fully compliant in areas such as tax, social protection, health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/16]
View answerIt is the responsibility of each contracting authority to ensure that contracts are awarded to compliant businesses through the standard procedures contained in the procurement process. Thereafter the conditions of contract and the legislation governing the referenced areas ensure compliance, with oversight undertaken by the contracting authority concerned and the appropriate statutory bodies as necessary.
Contracting authorities set down the minimum standards for those applying for public contracts in the pre-qualification stage of a tender competition. Compliance with tax and social welfare requirements is dealt with under the criterion covering the personal situation of the applicant. Specifically in relation to works, the duties imposed on clients by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 are dealt with as part of the pre-qualification and award stage of the procurement process. Competency is dealt with in the pre-qualification stage by assessing the applicant's qualfications and experience whereas the question of adequate resources falls under both the pre-qualification and award stages of a procurement process.
Self-declarations may be permitted at the early stage of the pre-qualification process to reduce the administrative burden on both businesses and public bodies. However, successful tenderers or successful candidates in the case of a restricted procedure are required to provide the pre-determined evidence in support of those declarations, a failure to provide the required evidence will result in a rejection of their tender on the basis of non-compliance.
Tax compliance is further enforced through the requirement for a current tax clearance certificate to be produced prior to the award of the contract and for any payments thereunder.
The Public Works Contract also makes provision for deductions from payments in accordance with the legislation governing taxation in that sector. Health and Safety legislation is underlined and enforced throughout the Public Works Contract by enshrining legal requirements as conditions of contract so that serious health and safety breaches may be relied upon as breach of contract leading to termination.
These are in addition to the remedies contained in law which are enforced by the appropriate statutory bodies who possess the necessary powers to investigate and to bring proceedings.
60. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public sector posts, including posts in commercial State companies and posts as Government advisers, that he has approved a breach of a pay-cap for. [1949/16]
View answerIn June 2011, the Government introduced a general pay ceiling of €200,000 for future appointments to higher positions across the public service and a general pay ceiling of €250,000 for future appointments to CEO posts within Commercial State Companies. No sanctions have been issued for new appointments in excess of these pay ceilings.
When considering how to best implement a reduction in pay to CEOs in a fair and balanced manner, I decided that instead of just applying a €250,000 cap, which is a crude instrument that only affects pay rates above that figure, I would reduce the salary ranges that apply to CEO salaries which has the effect of both reducing the salary for all CEOs in an proportionate manner while maintaining the "weightings" between each Company.
The appointment of Special Advisers requires the approval of Government in accordance with section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. Special Advisers have been employed by Ministers of successive Governments and perform an essential function in providing expert advice, expertise and insights on the key strategic issues facing Ministers.
The current Guidelines provide that Special Advisers are to be placed on the Principal Officer (standard) scale, which currently runs from €75,647 at the minimum to €87,258 at the maximum. They provide that appointments are to be on the first point on the scale except where I approve a higher starting salary. Therefore, in cases where a Special Adviser's basic pay prior to the appointment was greater than the minimum of the Principal Officer (standard scale), it is open to Ministers to seek sanction from me to appoint the person to a higher starting salary.
I would like to point out that that separate arrangements may apply to the staffing requirements of the Offices of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.
61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will fund strategic infrastructural projects through the concept of Government development bonds; if such a proposal will remove the charge from the Government's balance sheet, with particular reference to areas likely to require urgent and strategic investment, such as the public authority housing programme, a nationally co-ordinated arterial drainage and flood relief programme or other areas of infrastructural deficiency needing urgent attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1921/16]
View answerThe key issue faced by the Government in seeking to respond to the housing crisis or the recent flooding, etc., is not related to the availability of funding, but rather to the fiscal space available to the Government under the fiscal rules of the Stability and Growth which restrict the Government's ability to increase expenditure, including on capital projects. Any funding that would be raised through the issuing by Government of a new Development Bond, as suggested in the question, would be on-balance sheet in General Government terms. As a result, any such funding would have no impact on the fiscal space available to the Government and would not provide any additional capacity for further Exchequer expenditure without equivalent spending cuts in other areas or tax increases, in order to continue to comply with the fiscal rules.
The Deputy will recognise that maintaining fiscal sustainability and economic stability under the Government's fiscal framework will ensure that Ireland retains the hard-won restored confidence of international financial markets to meet its ongoing funding needs. This is central to the continuance of Ireland's economic recovery, securing further reductions in unemployment, achieving further gains in living standards and ensuring the continued development of our public services.
62. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flood relief measures in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1920/16]
View answerThe Government has allocated €80.746 m in 2016 for the Office of Public Works (OPW) overall Flood Risk Management Programme of which €52.561m is for the continued implementation of the OPW's comprehensive programme of capital flood relief works. There are currently five major schemes at construction in Bray, Co Wicklow, River Dodder, Dublin, South Campshires, Dublin, Ennis Lower, Ennis and Phases 2, 3 and 4 in Waterford City. There are a further 26 schemes at design and planning stage and, of these, it is anticipated that construction works on schemes in Claregalway, Co Galway, Bandon and Skibbereen, Co Cork, Templemore, Co Tipperary and Foynes, Co Limerick will be commenced this year.
Other schemes in the capital works programme will be advanced through the planning or Confirmation (Ministerial approval) processes and every effort will be made to progress some of these schemes to construction in 2016 also.
The OPW will also continue in 2016 to administer its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which allows local authorities to submit applications for funding to OPW for localised projects costing under €0.5m and which meet required criteria including a minimum cost benefit standard.
In addition to its capital allocation another €15.3m in non-capital funding has been allocated to the OPW in 2016 for its ongoing arterial drainage maintenance works programme under which over 2,000km of river channels and watercourse which OPW is responsible for will be cleaned and maintained.
The OPW's flood relief funding allocation will also allow it to continue in 2016 with its essential hydrometric data gathering and analysis work and other important research and studies in hydrology, coastal and other flood related matters.
The funding available in 2016 will allow the OPW continue to plan for the future flood risk management needs of the country through its comprehensive Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Under that Programme the OPW will publish by mid 2016 draft Flood Risk Management Plans for areas across the country that are at significant risk of flooding from rivers and tides. Most of the areas that flooded during the recent severe rainfall events will be covered under the CFRAM Plans.XX Following public consultation, the CFRAM Plans will be finalised by end 2016. The Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner which OPW will seek to implement over a 10 year timeframe.
63. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the funding available for flood relief relating to the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1831/16]
View answerThe Government last year announced details of a €430 million 6 year programme of capital investment on flood risk management and mitigation measures as part of the Government's overall Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021. The flood protection capital programme 2016 – 2021 will build on the very significant investment that has already been undertaken in flood relief works throughout the country over the last 20 years.
This funding will allow the Office of Public Works (OPW) to continue with the implementation of its current comprehensive programme of flood relief Capital Works which includes projects at various stages of design, planning and construction. Within the €430 million funding envelope, the OPW's allocation for capital flood relief works in 2016 is €52.561m. Separate to this capital allocation another €15.3m in non-capital funding has been allocated to the OPW in 2016 for its ongoing arterial drainage maintenance works programme. There are currently five major flood defence schemes at construction with a further 26 at design and planning.
The funding will also enable the OPW continue its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which allows local authorities to submit applications for funding to OPW for localised projects costing under €0.5m and which meet required criteria including minimum cost benefit standards. Over 500 projects have been approved by OPW since the scheme came into operation in 2009 with funding of approximately €29m being provided.
The OPW's flood relief funding allocation will also allow it to continue with its essential hydrometric data gathering and analysis work and other important research and studies in hydrology, coastal and other flood related matters.
The significant funding made available by the Government in its Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 will also allow the OPW continue to plan for the future flood risk management needs of the country through its comprehensive Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Under that Programme the OPW will publish by mid 2016 draft Flood Risk Management Plans for areas across the country that are at significant risk of flooding from rivers and tides. Most of the areas that flooded during the recent severe rainfall events will be covered under the CFRAM Plans. Following public consultation, the CFRAM Plans will be finalised by end 2016. The Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner which OPW will seek to implement over a 10 year timeframe.
64. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the legal expenditure ceilings for each of the years 2016 to 2019; the percentage increase these represent from the baseline of 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1918/16]
View answerIn accordance with the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2013, Expenditure Report 2016 published by my Department on Budget day outlines Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings for the three year period from 2016 to 2018.
The ceilings for 2016 have subsequently been revised by Government in line with the allocations for 2016 set out in the Revised Estimates Volume ("REV") 2016 published by my Department on 17 December 2015.
The overall Government Expenditure Ceiling of €55.3 billion for 2016, set out in the REV, represents an increase of 1.2% over the 2015 gross voted expenditure estimated outturn of €54.67 billion reported with the end December Exchequer returns.
This rate of expenditure growth belies much of the commentary by the media and others on the conduct of expenditure policy. The control of public expenditure - while meeting priority social needs - strongly reflects a prudent and responsible approach to expenditure policy consistent with the fiscal framework.
The ceilings of €56.17 billion for 2017 and €57.04 billion for 2018 represent increases versus this 2015 outturn of 2.7% and 4.3% respectively.
The ceilings for these two later years take into account demographic pressures arising in the Departments of Health, Social Protection and Education and Skills. Also taken into consideration in these ceilings is the roll-out of the Rural Development Programme, a forecast reduction in the number of people on the Live Register, the carry-over impact of certain Budget 2016 measures including costs relating to the Lansdowne Road Agreement and the revised capital envelope set out in the Capital Plan.
Actual expenditure beyond 2016 will ultimately be a matter for Government decision-making, in light of the fiscal space determined in line with the Stability and Growth Pact obligations at the time and its allocation between tax and expenditure measures as determined by Government.
65. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on introducing the €430 million fund for flood defence works, given the recent flooding and the damage to coastal communities and the higher frequency of more severe Atlantic storms over the past number of years. [1914/16]
View answerThe provision of €430 million funding for flood risk management has already been made by the Government and was announced in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021 published in September 2015.
This funding is being made available to the Office of Public Works (OPW) through the annual Estimates process and allows for a graduated increase in the annual capital allocation to the OPW for flood relief measures from its existing base of €45m to €100m by 2021. The €430 million allocation will enable the OPW to continue with the implementation of its existing programme of flood relief capital works and to commence implementation on a prioritised basis from 2017 onwards of the structural flood defence measures that will be included in the flood risk management plans being prepared under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme including any viable measures identified to address flooding in the coastal locations included in the Programme. These plans are due to be finalised by the end of 2016.
The CFRAM Programme is the core strategy for addressing flood risk in areas at potentially significant risk from flooding. The Programme is focusing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. It is the principal vehicle for implementing the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy.
Work on the development of preliminary options to address flood risk is now underway in the CFRAM Programme. Following finalisation of the mapping and the identification of flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. Further information on the Programme is available on www.cfram.ie.
Pending the completion of the CFRAM Plans, the OPW is continuing with the implementation of its existing comprehensive programme of flood relief Capital Works which includes projects at various stages of design, planning and construction. There are currently five major schemes at construction in Bray, Co Wicklow, River Dodder, Dublin, South Campshires, Dublin, Ennis Lower, Ennis and Phases 2, 3 and 4 in Waterford City. There are a further 26 at design and planning of which it is anticipated that construction works on schemes in Claregalway, Bandon and Skibbereen, Templemore and Foynes will be commenced this year.
The OPW will also continue its Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme which allows local authorities to submit applications for funding to the OPW for projects costing under €0.5m and which meet required criteria. The Scheme has already provided funding for over 500 projects since its implementation in 2009 with expenditure of approximately €29m.
66. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to ensure that the local knowledge of residents regarding patterns of flooding in their areas is taken into account as part of the medium-term and long-term efforts to deal with the flooding problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1941/16]
View answerThe OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is implementing the 2007 EU Floods Directive requirements, is completing detailed assessment of 300 areas at potentially significant risk from flooding. The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the Local Authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.
Public consultation, which provides opportunities for interested persons to convey local flooding knowledge and the preferred solution, is a key element of the CFRAM Programme. To date this has involved:
- a public consultation to inform the designation of the 300 areas, that include 90 coastal areas; and
- meeting in person with each of these 300 communities to explain the assessed and predictive flood risks and their impact for their areas and importantly to get their local knowledge and insight. Separately a national consultation on flood risk maps finished on 23 December 2015;
- public consultation in person on options for each community is underway and will be complete in the coming weeks.
The publication of draft Flood Risk Management Plans, scheduled for summer 2016, will be followed by further programmes of consultation before the Plans are finalised. Members of the public may also contact the individual CFRAM Study engineering consultants by phone, post or email. Further details are available via www.cfram.ie.
When the OPW commences a major flood relief scheme there are opportunities, through local public information days, for the public to make observations on any emerging proposals. After the outline design of the preferred scheme is completed, a statutory four-week public exhibition is held followed by a month for submissions by interested parties.
67. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to the Office of Public Procurement, if the current holder of a contract who is excluded from the new tender because of the quality of a sample has a right to appeal the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1944/16]
View answerPublic Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. It would be a breach of the EU rules for a public body to favour or discriminate in favour of a particular candidate on grounds such as existing relationship with the contracting authority that is carrying out a tender process and there are legal remedies which may be used against any public body infringing these rules.
Public procurement procedures require applicants to meet certain standards when applying for public contracts. The criteria upon which contracting authorities may select suppliers to submit tenders in a public procurement procedure are set out in Regulation 58 of SI 329 of 2006 European Communities (Award of Public Contracts) Regulations and Article 48 and Recitals (39) of 2004/18/EC which is the EU Directive on the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public contracts. In short a contracting authority should set out, non-discriminatory criteria for use when selecting competitors. Samples may be requested as part of this process. It is up to the potential supplier to prove that they have satisfied those criteria.
In order to assist contracting authorities the Office of Government Procurement has developed standard template documents for procurement processes and the award of contracts. These have been designed to enable contracting authorities carry out procurement processes in a consistent manner. These templates set out the procedures for requesting samples and also the documentation that should accompany them. It is up to the supplier to meet the standards requested. It would be reasonable for a contracting authority to seek the standards that meet their needs and these can of course change over the years.
In relation to the issue of appeal, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on a specific tender. Establishing the levels of qualification criteria and award criteria that are relevant and appropriate to a particular contract is the responsibility of the contracting authority concerned. This is because the contracting authority is in the best position to gauge what is appropriate relative to the needs of that specific contract. In this regard, I would therefore suggest that the supplier seek feedback from the contracting authority.
68. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of State agencies that have been rationalised, merged or abolished since 2011, the savings of public moneys achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1915/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the Report on the Implementation of the Agency Rationalisation Programme which is published on my Department's web site. The Report provides information on what has been achieved in reducing the number of state bodies as set out in the 2011 Public Service Reform Plan, including savings.
The Report published in December 2014, based on information provided by Government Departments, showed that measures involving more than 90 percent of the bodies to be rationalised and merged were completed. The Report finds as a result of these measures, there were 170 fewer State Bodies at the end of 2014 than in 2011, with a further 11 due to go. The current position, as of January 2016, is that there are 176 fewer bodies, with a further 5 outstanding.
The Report also shows that recurring annual savings of over €15 million were accruing to Central Government, with a further €2.8m in once-off revenue arising from the disposal of property. Further annual savings of the order of €9m will be achieved by 2018, as the full year efficiency savings from some of the measures are realised. It is also important to note that these figures refer to direct Exchequer savings. The Report showed that net savings worth some €40 million will accrue annually to the Local Authority sector on foot of the reform and rationalisation measures in Local Authority structures, which also forms part of the overall rationalisation programme.
The remaining measures to be implemented are highlighted in italics in Appendix 2 of the Report - several of which have since being completed including the merger of the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority into Sport Ireland and the substantial reform of the four IR bodies into a single Workplace Relations Commission.
Implementation of those measures outstanding are well advanced and, where possible, arrangements have been put in place on an administrative basis prior to enabling legislation being enacted - as in the case of the merger of the OSI, Valuation Office and Property Registration Authority into the single new body dealing with property and land administration, known as Táilte Eireann.
69. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his timescale for winding down the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation; the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1917/16]
View answerFrom the period 2009 to 2013 the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts introduced pay reduction measures. These measures, together with the Public Service Pension Reduction implemented in January 2011, are estimated to have resulted in over €2.2bn in direct reductions in public service remuneration and pensions.
It is not possible, within the fiscal space currently available to Government and the requirement to manage public expenditure in accordance with the EU's Stability and Growth Pact, to reverse €2.2bn in FEMPI measures in one year. To do so would contravene EU Fiscal rules and reverse the hard won progress made in rescuing the economy from the financial collapse which it so recently faced.
The Government has now, through the negotiation and agreement of a financially prudent public service agreement on pay and related issues, provided for a gradual unwinding of the FEMPI measures as they apply to public servants. The terms of this agreement, the Lansdowne Road Agreement, are being implemented under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 with effect from 1 January 2016 at a full year cost of €844m to 2018. Provision has also been made for an amelioration of the PSPR for public service pensioners at an additional full year cost of €90m in 2018. This approach has also enabled additional resources to be assigned for the ongoing recruitment of additional front line public service staff such as Gardaí, Teachers and Health professionals to support the delivery of our vital public services.
Under section 12 of the FEMPI Act 2013, I am required to review the necessity of FEMPI legislation annually and cause a written report of my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. In that context, economic progress and fiscal consolidation in the years ahead will determine the scope and timing of the possible further scale-back or elimination of the financial emergency measures.
70. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress in establishing an interdepartmental group to examine the issue of those who are forced to retire at 65 years of age, but who are not eligible for a State pension until they reach 66 years of age, as he indicated in correspondence dated 24 November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1252/16]
View answerThe issue of retirement age will become a more significant issue as the age of eligibility for the State Pension increases in the coming years, to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. We need a policy framework to support longer working lives. We face challenging demographic related expenditure challenges in the coming years: the numbers aged 65 and over are set to increase from 570,000 in 2013 to 855,000 by 2026 and the annual cost of the State Pension is increasing by over €200m every year.
Since my correspondence with the Deputy in November my officials have consulted with each of the relevant Departments with a view to establishing an Interdepartmental Group to examine the implications arising from retirement ages for public and private sector workers. A Memorandum seeking approval to establish the Group has been submitted to Government. It is proposed that this Group will be chaired by a senior official from my Department and will include representatives from the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Justice, Education, Health and Social Protection. The Group will engage with key stakeholders with a view to reporting back to Government later this year with recommendations on a policy framework to support longer working lives. My intention is that the Group will convene in the coming weeks.
71. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the implementation of the Government's reform agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1832/16]
View answerPublic Service Reform is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for recovery. Led by my Department, the reforms delivered over the past five years have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, while meeting increased demand for many services. Importantly, the efficiencies gained have also allowed us to re-invest in frontline service delivery.
Following strong progress on the implementation of the Government's first Public Service Reform Plan (2011), our second Reform Plan was published in January 2014 and sets out the priorities for reform from 2014 to 2016. While maintaining an emphasis on efficiency, this Plan puts a particular focus on improved service delivery and achieving better outcomes for service users.
We are implementing a broad range of reforms, with over 230 specific actions set out in the Plan. This includes, for example, some 400 digital services and improved engagement with service users; implementation of shared services and alternative models of service delivery; more efficient public procurement and property management; and increased accountability and transparency.
Good progress is being made on the implementation of the plan, as outlined in the Annual Progress Report I published in March last year. A copy of the report was sent to all Members of the Oireachtas and it is also available at www.reformplan.per.gov.ie. It is intended to publish the second Annual Progress Report on Public Service Reform in the coming months.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Taoiseach and I published the Civil Service Renewal Plan in October 2014 which is a three year plan to lead and implement major changes across the Civil Service. A progress report on achievements in the 'first 200 days' was published in July and is also available on my Department's website. Since then, work has continued on the remaining actions in the Plan and a further Progress Report detailing the progress made during the second phase of implementation will be published in early summer.
Overall, I am satisfied that we have made very strong progress on Public Service Reform to date. The level of reform that we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution to date.
72. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the dramatic reduction in the number of public servants since 2008 has impacted adversely on the provision of public services and if a major recruitment drive is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1942/16]
View answerFollowing a period of retrenchment, staffing levels in the Public Service are increasing, and have been since December 2013. Latest data show that public service staff numbers increased by just under 5,000 in the first nine months of 2015, on foot of the 2015 Budget decisions, which also included a removal of the Moratorium on Public Service Recruitment. It is also worth noting that even throughout the time of the Moratorium, the Government continued to provide for targeted recruitment into key frontline areas in Education and Health, in particular. In addition, as part of the Budget for 2016, I announced a further additional 2,260 teachers, up to 600 new Gardaí, plus more staff in the Health Sector and for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
As regards the current level of staffing across the Public Service compared to the peak at end 2008, the changes since then need to be understood and assessed in their proper context.
- In the 5-year period leading up to the end of 2008, public service numbers increased by almost 15%, tracking increases in annual public expenditure levels that have come to define that era. As we know now, this was unsustainable, and it hardly represents a sensible benchmark for public services for the future.
- There was also an unprecedented economic and fiscal crisis which threatened the sustainability of the public finances. This required difficult decisions to reduce public service pay rates and public service numbers, among many other difficult decisions. These were delivered in cooperation with the staff unions, under a series of critically important industrial relations agreements and in tandem with specific sectoral reform measures.
- Finally, there has been a wide ranging reform agenda, which I launched in 2011, and it has delivered efficiencies and enhanced the effectiveness of public services. At the heart of the Reform Agenda is a commitment to drive change and continuous improvements to outdated practices and service delivery models in order to protect and enhance key public services. The introduction of shared services, automation of processes across many areas, and changes to work practices means that more is being done with less.
It is within this context of a more secure and refomed foundation that I have been willing, and will continue to commit resources across key sectors, which the Government can be more assured will impact directly on improved service levels for people.
73. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on recent media comments by the Minister for State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Gerald Nash TD, regarding the cost to the Exchequer if the State becomes a living wage employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2086/16]
View answerThe most recent aggregate data (based on pay bands) available to the Department indicates that some 93% of all public service staff are on salary points in excess of €25,000 per annum. The suggested wage at €11.50 per hour based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of € 22,203.
Data based on Civil Service staff only indicate that only some 4% of staff (FTE) in the Civil Service are on salary points less than €22,203, with the majority of those on points in the range €20,000 to €22,000. The estimated cost within the civil service, which is some 12% of the overall public service, would be €1.6m. Detailed costings in other sectors of the public service would require collation and estimation on an individual sector level, based on detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This detailed data is only available to individual public service employers.
Any of those currently on an annual salary of less than €22,203 in the public service may be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift or atypical working hours or may benefit from salary scales that progress to the suggested living wage through incremental progression. The increase of 2.5% on annualised salaries up to €24,000 under the Lansdowne Agreement payable from 1 January 2016 may also impact upon the potential additional cost accruing to the Exchequer from the introduction of a Living Wage.
74. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the number of persons on the live register in Tallaght in Dublin 24 in each of the years from 2010 and currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2220/16]
View answerThe most recent Live Register figures available are for December 2015.
The following table shows the number of persons on the Live Register in the Tallaght local office in December of each year from 2010 to 2015.
It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.
All Persons on the Live Register in Tallaght in December of each year 2010 - 2015.
|
December |
All Persons |
|
2010 |
10,178 |
|
2011 |
11,206 |
|
2012 |
11,375 |
|
2013 |
10,861 |
|
2014 |
9,608 |
|
2015 |
8,717 |
Source: CSO Live Register
75. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach the number of young persons under 25 years of age who are signing on the live register in the Intreo centres at Swords, Coolock, Finglas, Kilbarrack, Ballyfermot and Ballymun in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45598/15]
View answerThe Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection.
The most recent Live Register figures available are for December 2015.
The following table shows the number of persons under 25 years of age classified by sex on the Live Register in the local offices requested.
It should be noted that the Live Register is not a definitive measure of unemployment as it includes part-time workers, and seasonal and casual workers entitled to Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance.
Persons under 25 years of age on the Live Register in December 2015 in requested Local Offices.
|
Local Office |
Male |
Female |
All Persons |
|
Ballyfermot |
247 |
160 |
407 |
|
Ballymun |
276 |
164 |
440 |
|
Coolock |
345 |
187 |
532 |
|
Finglas |
462 |
272 |
734 |
|
Kilbarrack |
260 |
125 |
385 |
|
Swords |
207 |
124 |
331 |
Source: CSO Live Register
76. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach the number of political staff working in his Department; the role of each; and the salary in each case. [45773/15]
View answerA total of seventeen political staff are employed by my Department. The table below sets out the role of each individual staff member and the salary in each case.
|
Title |
Salary |
|
Chief of Staff |
€156,380 |
|
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
€156,380 |
|
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
€84,706 |
|
Special Adviser to the Taoiseach |
€84,706 |
|
Special Adviser to Chief Whip |
€84,706 |
|
Government Press Secretary |
€115,431 |
|
Assistant Government Press Secretary |
€87,258 |
|
Deputy Government Press Secretary/Head of GIS |
€93,297 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach |
€74,973 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach |
€68,293 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach |
€68,293 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach |
€64,257 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Taoiseach |
€51,581 |
|
Personal Assistant to the Chief Whip |
€46,016 |
|
Personal Secretary to the Taoiseach |
€45,251 |
|
Personal Secretary to the Taoiseach |
€45,251 |
|
Personal Secretary to the Chief Whip |
€47,755 |
77. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach the total number of Bills that have been published by his Department since 9 March 2011; the number and Titles of those Bills that included a regulatory impact assessment in advance of publication; the regulatory impact assessments published; the total number of promised Bills for publication; if he will provide the Bills that will include a regulatory impact assessment; the regulatory impact assessments that will be published before publication of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45800/15]
View answer80. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of those Acts currently in force for which he has lead responsibility that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced in tabular form; the details or purpose of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46079/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 80 together.
One Bill was published by my Department since 9 March 2011. It was the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Éireann) Bill 2013, which was published in June 2013 further to a commitment in the Programme for Government. A regulatory impact analysis (RIA) is normally required for primary legislation but exceptions to this rule are set out in the relevant guidelines.
As the Bill concerned involved amending the Constitution for the purpose of abolishing the Seanad rather than significantly impacting on the regulatory environment, a RIA was not completed, in keeping with precedents for Bills of this nature.
One Bill is promised for publication by my Department, the National Economic and Social Council Bill. Work is underway on it in my Department at the moment. The Bill and any regulatory impact assessment will be published in due course.
My Department has no Acts currently in force for which I have lead responsibility that have parts or sections yet to be formally commenced.
78. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of appointments to State boards since March 2011 under the aegis of his Department; the number of appointments that have been advertised on his Department’s website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46074/15]
View answer79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach the number of chairpersons appointed to State boards under the aegis of his Department since March 2011 that have appeared before the relevant joint Oireachtas committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46075/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.
I make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB).
Since coming into office on 9 March 2011, I have made 18 appointments to the NESC in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and S.I. No. 603 of 2010, National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010.
- The legislation requires that the majority of members are appointed specifically on the basis of nominations from business and employer interests, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, farming and agricultural interests, the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector.
- The legislation also provides for the appointment of six public servants in an ex-officio capacity; one representing the Taoiseach, one representing the Minister for Finance and the remainder representing relevant Departments to ensure NESC's work is integrated with Government policy-making.
- I also appointed eight independent members to the NESC in 2011, in most cases from the academic sector. These appointments were made following careful consideration of the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to the functions of the Council as required by the legislation.
These positions were not advertised on the Department’s website. In line with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and where appropriate and consistent with the legislation, future appointments will be advertised on Stateboards.ie.
I appointed the Secretary General of my Department as Chairman of the NESC on 1 August 2011 in an ex-officio capacity.
Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993 provides for the composition of and appointments to the National Statistics Board (NSB). It provides that the NSB shall consist of eight members comprising the following seven persons who shall be appointed by the Taoiseach:
- five persons of proven ability and experience in relevant fields - two of whom shall be nominated by the Taoiseach and three of whom shall be nominated by such organisation or organisations as the Taoiseach considers to be representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under this Act
- Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach
- Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance
- together with the Director General, ex officio.
The Chairperson is appointed by the Taoiseach from among the members of the Board.
My functions in relation to the NSB were delegated to the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Paul Kehoe T.D., on the 22 March 2011. There have been nine appointments to the NSB since March 2011.
In 2012 an Assistant Secretary from my Department was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy in line with Section 18 of the Act.
The term of membership of the previous board expired in 2013. The Chair and Civil Servants on the Board were reappointed for a new term of three years. The Chair of the NSB has not appeared before an Oireachtas Committee and has not been asked to do so. Expressions of interest were invited for the four remaining positions on the NSB. These positions were advertised on the websites of the Department of the Taoiseach and the National Statistics Board. In March 2014 Minister of State Kehoe appointed four persons from among the expressions of interest received.
Also in 2014, an Assistant Secretary from the Department of Finance was appointed to replace an Assistant Secretary from that Department on the NSB.
81. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the cost of implementing a living wage of €11.50 for all employees directly employed or in agencies funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46398/15]
View answer91. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the discussions his Department has had with suppliers or service contractors to his Department or to agencies of his Department to ensure that employees of such suppliers and contractors are paid the living wage of €11.50 per hour; the cost of implementing this wage for these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1364/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 91 together.
My Department has not had any discussions with suppliers or service contractors to the Department about the impact of a Living Wage. Levels of remuneration for employees of my Department and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) are based on pay scales set centrally by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
82. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Taoiseach the total amount of money spent on the Office of the Attorney General; the total number of staff; the total number of staff in the office of the parliamentary draftsman per annum from 2011 to 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46121/15]
View answerIn the years 2011 to 2015 the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) spent the following:
|
Year |
Amount Spent |
|
2011 |
€ 11.146 million |
|
2012 |
€ 11.233 million |
|
2013 |
€ 11.430 million |
|
2014 |
€ 11.034 million |
|
2015 |
€ 11.143 million (provisional outturn). |
These figures exclude expenditure relating to the Law Reform Commission which is funded by a grant through the AGO Vote.
The total number of staff (including contract staff) at the end of each year was as follows:
|
Year |
Number of Staff |
|
2011 |
126.4 (including 9 contract staff) |
|
2012 |
135.3 (including 7 contract staff) |
|
2013 |
128.6 (including 7 contract staff) |
|
2014 |
127.7 (including 8 contract staff) |
|
2015 |
134.4 (including 6 contract staff) |
The total number of permanent drafting (Parliamentary Counsel) staff at the end of each year was as follows:
|
Year |
Permanent Staff |
|
2011 |
26.8 |
|
2012 |
29.4 |
|
2013 |
29.4 |
|
2014 |
29.6 |
|
2015 |
30.6 |
The total number of consultant Parliamentary Counsel at the end of each year was as follows (these figures are not included in the totals given above. Also, the figures for consultants represent the WTE at the end of the year: not all consultants were working fulltime for the Office):
|
Year |
Consultant Parliamentary Counsel |
|
2011 |
-2.5 |
|
2012 |
-1.5 |
|
2013 |
-1.5 |
|
2014 |
-0.25 |
|
2015 |
- 1.25. |
The drafting staff were supported by general civil service staff who also supported the legal advisory specialists (Advisory Counsel).
Throughout each year the Office of the Attorney General monitors its resources, including staff numbers, to ensure that it is able to discharge a heavy workload and meet the demands of its clients.
