David Cullinane
Question:366. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full cost of reverting to a single-tier pay structure across the public sector. [14620/16]
View answerPublic Sector Pay
Questions (366)
Written answers
For the majority of public servants the issue of the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). There are, however, a number of areas across the public service where due to the decision by the then Government in 2012 to cease payment of certain outdated allowances to employees recruited after that time, differences remain. The estimated full year cost of resuming payment of those allowances is estimated at at least €38.5m, including €5m in Rent allowance (Garda, Firefighters, Prison Officers), €13.5m in Living Out Allowance (in respect of Non Consultant Hospital Doctors) and €20m in Qualification Allowances (Teachers).
I understand that agreement in principle has been reached within the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 with staff representatives of fire fighters in Local Authorities on the delivery of a comprehensive range of productivity measures related to reforms related to the strategically important Keeping Communities Safe Programme that will include addressing the issue of a single pay structure for firefighters.
Any further development on remuneration matters, including issues relating to more recently recruited public servants, will fall to be examined within the provisions of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018 (Lansdowne Road Agreement). Any proposals arising out of this process must be consistent with the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009-2015 (FEMPI), as well as costs being underpinned through the delivery of enhanced work place practices and productivity.
Public Sector Staff Remuneration
Questions (367)
David Cullinane
Question:367. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of eliminating the lowest grade on the pay grade scale across the public sector and merging those on the lowest grade on the pay grade scale with the second grade on the pay grade scale; the cost of eliminating the first and second lowest grades on the pay grade scale across the public sector and merging those on the first and second lowest grades on the pay grade scale with the third lowest grade on the pay grade scale; and the cost of eliminating the first, second and third lowest grades on the pay grade scale across the public sector and merging those on the first, second and third lowest grades on the pay grade scale with the fourth lowest grade on the pay grade scale in tabular form. [14621/16]
View answerWritten answers
Detailed costings of eliminating scale points for 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 for each individual grade. This detailed data is only available to individual public service employers and is not available to my Department.
Irish Language
Questions (368)
Thomas Byrne
Question:368. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the frequency of tours of the Office of Public Works' properties in County Meath which are available through the Irish language. [14626/16]
View answerWritten answers
The usual language of delivery of guided tours at the Co Meath sites is English. Tours can also be made available for Groups in different languages, including Irish, on request by pre-arrangement with the site. The Office of Public Works (OPW) maintains an Irish language capacity within the guide workforce to respond to such requests and any requirements can generally be facilitated without difficulty.
Ombudsman's Remit
Questions (369)
Clare Daly
Question:369. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason a person (details supplied) has been appointed to a role representing complaint handler and associate members at the Ombudsman Association given the judgment in a case (details supplied) and given the five separate cases of misconduct by her before the High Court. [14639/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Ombudsman Association is a professional association for ombudsmen and complaint handlers across Ireland and the UK, their staff and others interested in the work of independent complaint resolution. It is neither a complaint-handling nor an advice body, and cannot give the public any advice other than to signpost to an appropriate ombudsman or complaint handling scheme, where applicable.
The Association can give general information about ombudsmen, but not specific information about member schemes. Although ombudsman members have to fulfil certain criteria for membership, the Association is one which ombudsman schemes join entirely voluntarily, and its purpose is to promote the general concept of ombudsmen, as well as to organise networking opportunities for ombudsmen and staff through conferences, seminars and meetings. The Association therefore has no role in the internal workings of member schemes nor any influence or jurisdiction over them. Furthermore, representatives on the Ombudsman Association Executive Committee are elected democratically by the relevant members of the Association. I have been advised that in this instance, the person in question was elected at the AGM of the Association by Complaint Handler and Associate Members from both Ireland and the UK. Given that this is an independent Association, my Department cannot comment on appointments made.
Garda Expenditure
Questions (370)
Pearse Doherty
Question:370. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total rent paid by An Garda Síochána on its barracks in Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, since the lease began. [14734/16]
View answerWritten answers
The leases on the Harcourt Square complex date from the early 1980s and would have been subject to review at various stages. The information sought is being compiled at the moment as soon as it is available a reply will issue directly to the Deputy.
State Properties Data
Questions (371)
Catherine Murphy
Question:371. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the properties in Dublin city currently owned or leased by the State, in tabular form, and their current usage, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated. A detailed response will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Waterways Issues
Questions (372)
Shane Cassells
Question:372. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to instruct the relevant authority in the Office of Public Works or Waterways Ireland to address a serious hazard (details supplied) along the Yellow Ford River in Drewstown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14964/16]
View answerWritten answers
The river concerned is part of River Boyne Catchment Drainage Scheme which was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme.
It appears that the hazard in this instance is the absence of any physical barrier on the public road near the bank of the river. The maintenance responsibilities of the OPW are limited to the drainage works carried out under the 1945 Act and do not extend to include road barriers. This would be a matter for the relevant local authority, in this case Meath County Council.
Ministerial Correspondence
Questions (373)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:373. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of representations he has received from Members of the Oireachtas and the number of these to which he had not issued a substantive reply by 31 May 2016, by month of initial receipt from 1 January 2015 to 30 April 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15042/16]
View answerWritten answers
The system that records representations received by my Department does not differentiate between the type of requester. In order to identify Oireachtas Members my staff would have to spend a disproportionate amount of time analysing each individual representation to arrive at the figures you are seeking which I do not consider appropriate.
By way of some assistance, the following table details representations received between 1 January 2015 and 30 April 2016.
|
Ministerial Representations received by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
|||||||||||||
|
Year 2015 |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Totals |
|
113 |
121 |
134 |
127 |
127 |
148 |
187 |
112 |
185 |
175 |
143 |
160 |
1732 |
|
|
Year 2016 |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
|||||||||
|
150 |
127 |
77 |
65 |
419 |
Waste Management
Questions (374)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Question:374. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to consider installing litter bins in an area (details supplied). [15059/16]
View answerWritten answers
An effective litter management system is in place in Doneraile Park and consistently high standards are maintained. The provision of bins and other measures to deal with litter will be kept under regular review.
Invasive Plant Species
Questions (375)
John Brassil
Question:375. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to deal with an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14537/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that there is a growing public awareness and concern about the impact of invasive species here, including Japanese Knotweed. In this regard, I wish to advise that my Department is responsible for the enforcement of the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 477/2011), both of which prohibit the spreading of invasive species.
In general, control of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is a matter for landowners. However, my Department carries out considerable work on control of such species in National Parks and Nature Reserves - for example, work undertaken over many years to deal with the rhododendron threat in various National Parks. My Department does not have the resources required to extend such work into urban areas, or indeed the wider countryside, and is not currently in a position to provide dedicated funds for such work to other bodies.
Special Areas of Conservation
Questions (376)
Catherine Connolly
Question:376. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the process relating to the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s ongoing examination of compensatory measures with regard to alternative special areas of conservation, particularly in relation to the Galway Harbour extension; the criteria, guidelines and directions that are in place in relation to this process; and the proposed locations of potential alternative designated special areas of conservation. [15074/16]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with the Planning and Development legislation, where, notwithstanding a determination that a proposed development will adversely affect the integrity of a European site (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas), and in the absence of alternative solutions, where a competent authority (in this instance An Bord Pleanála) considers that consent should nevertheless be given for the proposed development for imperative reasons of overriding public interest (IROPI), that authority may make such a case to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. One of the key requirements of the case to be made under IROPI is to propose the compensatory measures that are necessary to ensure that the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network is protected.
As part of this process, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is required to request my views, as Minister, as to whether the proposed compensatory measures are sufficient to ensure that the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network is protected.
In relation to the proposed Galway Harbour extension case, it is my understanding that An Bord Pleanála has not yet submitted a case to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Board recently consulted with my Department in accordance with section 37F of the Planning and Development Act with regard to preliminary compensatory proposals under the IROPI process in relation to the proposed harbour extension project. My officials returned observations to the Board on 27 May. It is now a matter for the Board to continue the application process in accordance with its role under the planning law.
In providing observations to An Bord Pleanála in relation to the preliminary compensatory proposals, my Department had regard to the European Commission’s “Guidance document on Article 6(4) of the 'Habitats Directive' 92/43/EEC”, as well as the “Appropriate Assessment of Plans and Projects in Ireland - Guidance for Planning Authorities ”, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (2009). It is expected that An Bord Pleanála and the applicant would also have regard to these guidance documents as part of the process.
As this matter is a live planning application, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.
Scéimeanna Rannach
Questions (377)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:377. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé i gceist aici Scéim na mBóithre Portaigh a athoscailt; má tá, cén uair a bheidh an scéim ag feidhmiú; cé mhéid airgid a bheidh á chur ar fáil aici faoin Scéim; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [14247/16]
View answerWritten answers
Beidh cur i bhfeidhm córasach na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht ag croílár an Chlár don Rialtas Comhpháirtíochta. Mar chuid den phróiseas pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht déanfar pleananna teanga a ullmhú ag leibhéal an phobail. Agus pleananna teanga á n-ullmhú acu, déanfaidh na pobail riachtanais áitiúla a shainaithint agus tabharfaidh mo Roinn, i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, tacaíocht do na hiarrachtaí sin ar gach uile shlí is féidir. Is sa chomhthéacs sin a dhéanfar scrúdú ar aon scéim Ghaeltachta atá le tabhairt isteach arís, lena n-áirítear Scéim na mBóithre Portaigh.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (378)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the State bodies under her remit that have developed memoranda of understanding with her counterpart in Northern Ireland with regard to the efficient delivery of services on the island of Ireland; if she has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of the development of further memoranda of understanding; the details of the cost-benefit analysis; and the new memoranda of understanding she will be creating between State bodies under their remits throughout the lifetime of this Government. [14276/16]
View answerWritten answers
No cost benefit analysis has been undertaken regarding the development of Memoranda of Understanding between State Bodies under the remit of my Department and their counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to delivering the services for which they are responsible on an all-Island basis.
However, my Department is co-sponsor of two of the North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement - Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga (which is comprised of two agencies - Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency/Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch). The work of these Bodies is underpinned by Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that are agreed each year between the Bodies and the sponsor Departments in both jurisdictions.
The objective of these agreements is to ensure that resources are used in an efficient and cost effective manner to deliver quality services to the public. The SLAs agreed for 2016 set out the annual business targets for the bodies and agencies and define the output and outcome indicators by which performance will be measured.
Departmental Data
Questions (379)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied with the level of data that is collected on the issues which come under her Department's remit; the steps she will take to work with the Administration in Northern Ireland to collect data under her aegis on a North-South basis; and the budgets she will put in place to undertake this work (details supplied). [14435/16]
View answerWritten answers
The ongoing collection and updating of relevant data in relation to operational and policy matters is an integral part of the work of my Department and the work of the bodies under its aegis. As part of this ongoing process, a significant degree of cooperation also takes place with our counterpart Departments and agencies in Northern Ireland.
With specific reference to the two North-South Implementation Bodies under the remit of my Department, Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga, I can confirm that there is ongoing liaison with the corresponding Departments in Northern Ireland in relation to the sharing of information and data to bolster policy development in areas of common interest and in the furtherance of North South cooperation. In that regard, the ESRI research report ‘Attitudes towards the Irish Language on the Island of Ireland’, which was commissioned by Foras na Gaeilge and published last year, illustrates the benefits of conducting research and collecting data in an all-island context.
I am pleased to confirm that my Department also enjoys a considerable level with the corresponding Departments and agencies in Northern Ireland on a range of other matters of mutual interest and concern. These include a range of biodiversity matters, which are addressed not only in an all island context but in a wider European context. Other examples of cooperation include the National Landscape Strategy, which was developed in accordance with the European Landscape Convention, a key element of which is the emphasis on the transboundary nature of landscape. In carrying out the associated landscape character assessment as part of the strategy, consideration will be given to seeking a reciprocal arrangement with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland to further develop the transboundary component of the assessment.
I am also pleased to advise that the 'The Royal Sites of Ireland' , made up of Cashel, Dún Ailinne, the Rathcroghan Complex, the Tara Complex, Eamhain Mhacha in Armagh and the Hill of Uisneach, is included in Ireland’s current Tentative List for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage status. My Department is working in co-operation with the Northern Ireland authorities to advance the proposal to formal nomination stage.