Written Answers Nos. 320-339
320. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of reports that Turkish soldiers shot dead eight refugees on the Turkish-Syrian border on 19 June 2016; that it has been reported that 60 civilians have been shot while trying to flee across the border from Syria into Turkey since the beginning of 2016; and if he will urgently raise these cases with his Turkish counterpart. [18221/16]
View answerI learned with concern of the death of eight refugees on the Turkish-Syrian border on 19 June. I am also aware that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has refuted allegations that the refugees were shot by border guards, saying that Turkish security forces ‘act fully within the legal framework’.
Furthermore, I am aware of recent reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, including testimony from migrants and witnesses that some Turkish border guards have used violence against Syrians.
These reports are very worrying. While Turkey has a right to secure its border with Syria, all actions on the part of Turkey must be in line with international law.
More broadly, the issue of human rights in Turkey has been raised by the Taoiseach at meetings of the European Council and continues to form an integral part of the country’s enlargement process, which we, along with our European partners, keep under close review. At the Foreign Affairs Council on 23 May, I reiterated Ireland’s concerns in respect of the rule of law, human rights and freedom of the media in Turkey and the need to hold Turkey to account to the core European values inherent in the accession process.
321. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the Western European and Others Group’s decision to nominate Israel for the chairmanship of the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee; if Ireland will back this nomination; and if he is concerned that Israel, a state that continues to breach international law and conventions, international humanitarian law and countless United Nations resolutions, is being nominated to head a legal committee that aims to promote international law and protect basic human rights and freedoms. [18222/16]
View answerThe effectiveness and universality of the United Nations system has been a central principle of Irish foreign policy for very many decades. Successive Irish Governments have accepted that Israel, like any other state, should be able to stand for election to, and occupy positions in, UN structures. On this basis, Ireland has agreed to the inclusion of Israel in relevant Western European and Others Groups (WEOG), in a number of UN fora, so long as they are refused membership of their natural geographic group.
There are very many states within the UN system with which Ireland would have serious human rights concerns.
In the recent election for the Chair of the General Assembly’s Sixth (Legal Affairs) Committee, the system of rotation used it meant that it was expected that a WEOG candidate would be elected. Israel was the only member of WEOG to stand for the post and was duly elected to the Chair.
322. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress he has made on developing a national plan on business and human rights. [18223/16]
View answerIreland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights, when completed, will implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights which were endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011. The Guiding Principles provide a globally recognised framework which outlines the roles of States and business enterprises in protecting human rights.
On the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2015, I was pleased to announce the publication of the Working Outline of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights. The Working Outline has provided a basis for further consultations on the development of the National Plan.
During the first quarter of 2016 my Department hosted consultations on the Working Outline of Ireland’s National Plan which were attended by representatives of Government Departments, civil society, academics and the business community. The Department also issued an invitation for written submissions on the Working Outline; these submissions are available on the Department’s website.
The input received through these discussions and submissions is being reviewed in consultation with Government Departments and with a view to producing a first draft of the National Plan.
323. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that the Israeli non-governmental organisation B’Tselem has announced that it will no longer refer cases of alleged abuse to the Israeli military for disciplinary action that it has said co-operation with the military investigation and enforcement systems has not achieved justice but lent legitimacy to the occupation regime and helped whitewash it; his views on this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18224/16]
View answerIreland has long been concerned about the growing frequency of the use of force, including lethal force, by Israeli security forces in non-life-threatening situations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and by an evident lack of accountability in relation to incidents involving the security forces. The same behaviours are not seen where the security forces are engaged in similar circumstances with Israeli citizens.
We have expressed these concerns both directly to the Israeli authorities and in EU discussions on the situation. Ireland also supports a number of Israeli and Palestinian NGOs active on cases of injustice and abuses. It is a matter of concern that B’Tselem, a highly respected Israeli NGO, has to conclude that it is wasting its time in bringing complaints to the authorities about instances of abuse.
I call clearly for the Israeli authorities to ensure that the same standards of rules of engagement and accountability apply whenever the security forces are engaged with civilians, Israeli or Palestinian.
324. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of Value Added in Africa’s second report on Ireland’s trade with its key partner countries in Africa: 2011-2014; that it outlines that Ireland’s balance of trade with its key partner countries in Africa has become more unbalanced in Ireland’s favour, increasing from 15:1 in Ireland’s favour to 60:1; that this is a negative reflection on Ireland’s commitment to a policy coherence for development; and his plans to rectify this imbalance. [18225/16]
View answerI am aware of the recent report by Value Added in Africa that reviews trade between Ireland and six countries in Africa over the period 2011 to 2014.
The enhancement of economic relations with Africa is a central pillar of my Department’s Africa Strategy. Two-way trade, in goods and services, between Ireland and Africa increased by about one third between 2010 and 2014, from €3.4 billion to €4.5 billion.
I welcome the growth we are now seeing in Irish exports to Africa. This responds to opportunities in the market and is very much in line with the Government’s focus on boosting exports to new and emerging markets.
In focusing on just six African countries where Ireland has bilateral development programmes, the Value Added in Africa report presents a very limited aspect of Ireland’s trade relations with Africa. It is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the data provided, given that the amounts involved are relatively low and, as the report states, a single sale can have a significant impact on trade figures.
Total imports by the six African countries referred to grew nearly tenfold over the period analysed. This was largely due to increases in consumption and in external and domestic investment. Imports specifically from Ireland have grown at about half this rate. The growth in exports from the countries to Ireland has been lower, but this is not surprising given the structure of the Irish economy, which means that we are not a direct importer of many of the primary products that our partner countries in Africa produce.
The Irish Government does not bear primary responsibility for boosting African exports to Ireland, and nor should we. However, through the Irish Aid programme, Ireland is contributing to the social and economic development of our partner countries in Africa. This includes efforts to increase production of value-added goods for both domestic consumption and for export. Indeed, Irish Aid provides grant support to Value Added in Africa specifically for this purpose. We have also supported the Fairtrade movement in order to increase export opportunities, and to ensure that Irish companies and consumers choose products which deliver a fair return for African producers.
Trade with Ireland alone will never constitute a significant component of the export markets that countries in Africa need. What is needed is the ability to access and export to global scale markets such as the EU, US and emerging markets, and to trade regionally. For this reason, Irish Aid is supporting the efforts of Geneva-based multilateral organisations to build the capacity of developing countries to implement their own trade and investment policies.
We have also carefully monitored the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African countries to ensure that they serve the development interests of our African partners. The implementation of these Agreements has the potential to further boost African exports.
In advance of the Africa-Ireland Economic Forum in Dublin earlier this month, my Department hosted a round table to facilitate experience sharing between Ireland’s trade and investment promotion experts and their counterparts from African countries. The Forum itself, with 450 participants, also provided a platform to identify and explore opportunities for trade and investment between Ireland and Africa, including in agri-business, energy/cleantech and aviation.
326. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to open a new Irish consulate general office in Cardiff, Wales; the cost of doing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18400/16]
View answerAt present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative office. The scale and presence of the network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis.
Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation, including the opening of missions, will have regard to national priorities and available financial and staffing resources. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. However, current resource constraints do not allow us to have resident representation in all the locations that might objectively justify it having regard to political, economic and trade factors.
Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Wales will continue to be fully sustained and promoted through Ireland’s Embassy in London, who have prioritised this objective. Work on Ireland’s relations with Wales and the Welsh Government will also be carried out in Dublin, including with the Welsh Government representative at the British Embassy. As there are no immediate plans under consideration for the opening of a Consulate General in Cardiff, the cost of doing so does not arise.
327. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Passport Office organises a media advertisement campaign to remind persons to check that their passports are still in date prior to booking their holidays abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18401/16]
View answerThe Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity including through messaging on the Department’s website, via social media and also as part of media campaigns such as that for the launch of the Passport Card. In briefing to Members of the Oireachtas I regularly emphasise the need for citizens to apply at least six weeks in advance of travel and to check passport validity before holidays are booked. The assistance of Members in communicating these messages to constituents is appreciated.
In addition to constant messaging on the importance of checking passport expiry dates before travelling, the Passport Service offers a passport reminder service to customers. The reminder service, which can be accessed via the Passport Service web pages at www.passport.ie, automatically sends an email both three months and six months before a passport is due to expire to those who register. Registration simply requires passport holders to record their name, email address and expiry date of the passport.
It is envisaged as part of the future online application process for passport renewals for adults (scheduled to launch in early 2017) that reminder notifications will automatically be sent to passport holders well in advance of their renewal date.
328. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will raise with the authorities in Scotland the case of a person (details supplied) who has been assaulted and who has been refused medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18512/16]
View answerMy Department is aware of the case of this Irish citizen, including with regard to recent developments. The Consulate General in Edinburgh has followed up on this matter and is ready to offer all appropriate assistance. As is the case with any imprisoned Irish citizen abroad, any concern related to ill-treatment is treated with the utmost seriousness.
329. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the operational status of Barryscourt Castle in Carrigtwohill, County Cork which is in the ownership of the Office of Public Works, including when it will re-open to the public. [17958/16]
View answerThe electrical installations and wiring in Barryscourt Castle have been found to be non-compliant with current regulations and constitute a danger to life for occupants and visitors. To avoid the danger of fire or electric shock, the decision was made to close the Castle until remedial works could be carried out.
The dangerous state of the electrical system is made considerably worse by a significant water ingress problem with severe damp problems in walls and roofs throughout large parts of the structure. The electrical system cannot be replaced until the water ingress problem is first dealt with and this must therefore be the priority. A major project to address this is therefore currently being undertaken. This will involve scaffolding the building in sections, undertaking detailed inspections at a high level to assess fabric condition, re-pointing the walls as necessary, removing the scaffolding to a new section and recommencing the process. This work will be carried out by skilled staff from the OPW National Monuments Service and the first phase of scaffolding the building is currently underway.
Due to the complexity of the work, which can only be carried out on a seasonal basis, the shortage of skilled labour resources within the OPW and the need to at times divert these resources to other urgent/emergency works within the Heritage estate, it is difficult to predict with certainty how long this element of the project will take. However, it is intended that works will continue over the next two years while, concurrently, a new electrical system is designed and procured, ready to be installed by a suitably qualified contractor.
It is hoped that Barryscourt Castle will re-open to the public in about 2 years time.
330. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of an application for funding by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/16]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that no application under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme has been submitted by Clare County Council for the area mentioned in this question. The local authority may proceed to engage consultants using its own resources.
The flood risk in Springfield, Clonlara is being assessed under the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme is the core strategy for addressing significant flood risks nationally. Springfield, Clonlara is one of 66 Areas for Further Assessment (AFA’s) in the Shannon River Basin District being assessed under the Shannon CFRAM study. 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.
Under the Shannon CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Springfield on 19th November, 2014. Also on 2nd December, 2015 a further event was held to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in the Springfield AFA. The draft maps are now being finalised following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23rd December, 2015.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified along the Shannon River Basin District. The draft Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. These Plans will be available for public consultation from mid 2016.
The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Plans.
The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial are published on the OPW website, http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/operations/minorfloodworkscoastalprotectionscheme/. It is not available for repair of damaged infrastructure or for maintenance of existing flood defence or coastal protection assets. It is open to the Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the Flood Risk Management Plan developed under the CFRAM programme for the area.
331. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the development of the flood relief measures at Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh and Inistioge in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17986/16]
View answerKilkenny County Council (KCC), with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW) has procured consultants to carry out a pilot project on improving flood resilience in Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh. The study aims to investigate how a community based response to flood events can be facilitated by improving the resilience and preparedness of the local community to deal with flood events and involves surveying properties to assess the potential for appropriate individual property protection (IPP) options for the community.
Inistioge is not included in the pilot study but additional survey work is to be carried out by the consultants in the town during the period of the study in order to gather data on the flood event of December 2015. This will help to inform the development of all possible feasible flood defence options for Inistioge which along with Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh is an ongoing part of the Catchment Flood Risk and Management (CFRAM) process.
The CFRAM process is the core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks nationally. Thomastown, Graiguenamanagh and Inistioge are three of 40 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) in the South East River Basin District being assessed under the South East CFRAM study. 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.
Under the South East CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps have been produced and were the subject of Public Consultation Days in Graiguenamanagh and Inistioge on 3rd March, 2015 and in Thomastown on 23rd March, 2015. In addition, Public Consultation Days were held in Graiguenamanagh and Inistioge on 1st March, 2016 and in Thomastown on 29th February, 2016 to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the assessed flood risks in these AFAs. The draft maps are now being finalised following the conclusion of the national statutory public consultation process on 23rd December, 2015.
Following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the identification of preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified along the South East River Basin District. The draft Plans will include a prioritised list of measures to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. These Plans will be available for public consultation later in 2016.
The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Plans.
332. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of combining the public service pension reduction amendments for 2017 and 2018 into a one year adjustment for retired public service pensioners, by gross pension income band (details supplied), by the number of cases in each band, in tabular form. [18041/16]
View answerAs provided for under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2015, a significant phased amelioration of the cuts to public service pensions imposed by the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) is now under way.
On 1 January 2016, the first phase of this amelioration took place by way of increases in the exemption thresholds for PSPR application. These exemption threshold increases fully removed PSPR from a significant number of pensions with relatively lower values, while those pensions which continue to be impacted by PSPR received a boost of €400 per year.
On 1 January 2017, the second phase of PSPR amelioration, acting principally via further exemption threshold increases, will fully remove PSPR from another significant tranche of public service pensioners, while at the same time boosting those pensions which remain affected by PSPR by €500 per year.
On 1 January 2018, the third phase of PSPR amelioration will ensure that all PSPR-impacted pensions with values up to €34,132 will be fully restored, meaning that PSPR will no longer affect such pensions, while those pensions which continue to be impacted by PSPR will get a boost of, in most cases, €780 per year.
This phased pension restoration across the public service under FEMPI 2015 will cost an estimated €90 million on an annual basis when fully implemented from 2018 with the pension restoration occurring on 1 January 2017 costing an estimated €30 million annually, while the pension restoration occurring on 1 January 2018 will cost a further estimated €30 million annually.
Details of the PSPR impositions and FEMPI 2015 amelioration impacts on individual pensions by reference to pension income bands in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 are contained in tabular format in my reply to Question No. 334 on 21 June 2016 while available data in relation to numbers of pensioners by pension income band is set out in the reply to Question No. 246 of 17 November 2015.
333. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the formula he uses to calculate the cost of staff recruitment to the public service with regard to new entrants coming in to address additional capacity and staff turnover via retirements from 1 Jan 2017 onwards; and the cost of recruiting new entrants to meet additional capacity and staff turnover, via retirements, for each of the years 2016 to 2018 in tabular form. [18045/16]
View answerThe Deputy will recall that at the time of the Expenditure Statement in October 2014 an end to the Moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was announced, 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 public service 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 consistent with the resources allocated to pay budgets.
The introduction of the delegated staffing arrangements from 2015, means it is now a matter for line Departments to manage their staffing resources, including recruitment, subject to them remaining within their pay bill ceiling. Each Department can, in turn, determine the suitability of introducing similar arrangements for agencies and offices under its remit.
These new arrangements represent a significant shift away from centralised control and allow for greater flexibility in the management of public service staffing resources. The new approach has also facilitated the introduction of a targeted programme of recruitment into the civil service - my area of direct responsibility in terms of public service employment overall - to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills.
As far as the civil service is concerned significant recruitment has already occurred. At this stage, in advance of the outcome of various competitions, it is not possible to be definitive about actual numbers that will be recruited to the civil service in the course of 2016 or other years. These will be determined by a number of factors including workforce planning, retirement rates and Departments' deciding on their optimal grade mix over the period ahead, with reference to their pay budgets.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the Civil Service while my other Ministerial colleagues have responsibility for other parts of the Public Service.
334. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to instruct the Office of Public Works to carry out a review of an application from a local authority to build a retaining wall (details supplied); the reason the application was refused in the first instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18063/16]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that an application under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme was submitted by Donegal County Council in January 2016 for a project to build an impermeable concrete wall at Coolyslin, Castlefinn, County Donegal. This application did not satisfy the criterion, published on the OPW website, that any measure proposed must be a cost beneficial solution.
A revised application was received in April 2016 which is currently being assessed.
335. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the sections of Acts that would need to be amended to remove the power of Ministers or other bodies that may set terms and conditions of employment of public servants and that may be exercised to reduce the remuneration or increase the working time of those public servants; the instances where the relevant sections have been used to set terms and conditions of employment of public servants and that may be exercised to reduce the remuneration or increase the working time of those public servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18066/16]
View answerI believe the legislative provision referred to in the question by the Deputy relates to Section 2B (inserted by section 2 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013) of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. This provision was repealed under section 86(3) of the Workplace Relations Act 2015.
336. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the case of a person (details supplied) whose house was flooded in December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18068/16]
View answerThe River Flesk does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of this river.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. I note from the information supplied by the Deputy that the home owner has recently sought assistance from the Council in the matter. It is open to the Council to submit a funding application to OPW under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria.
Glenflesk village is one of 27 locations in the South West River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. This Programme 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. Under the South Western CFRAM Study, draft predictive flood maps for Glenflesk have been produced and were the subject of a Public Consultation Day in Glenflesk on 21 October 2014. A further Public Consultation Day was held in Glenflesk on 8th December, 2015 to present and discuss preliminary options to manage the significant flood risks.
The draft flood mapping is now being finalised following completion of the national statutory public consultation on 23rd December, 2015. 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 draft Plans are scheduled to be made available for public consultation from mid-2016. Following the public consultation process the finalised 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.
337. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of access to a national monument (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18132/16]
View answerIt is assumed that the Deputy is referring to Ballynavenooragh Stone Fort in Ballydavid Co. Kerry.
Given its location and relative inaccessibility, this National Monument would benefit from improved road and car parking provision. However, neither the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht nor the Office of Public Works owns any suitable land in the area for this purpose. There is however excellent pedestrian access to the fort and a number of visitors find their way to it, notwithstanding the difficulties.
338. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the formula used by his Department to calculate the cost of public sector staff recruitment if the entry level pay rate was restored to the 2010 rate with regard to new entrants coming in to address additional capacity and staff turnover via retirements from 1 January 2017 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18135/16]
View answerThe Expenditure Statement in October 2014 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 public service managers the means to respond to service needs arising through staff retirements etc. as they arise, including considerable flexibility to make staffing and service level delivery decisions at the front line consistent with the resources allocated to pay budgets.
The introduction of the delegated staffing arrangements from 2015, means it is now a matter for line Departments to manage their staffing resources, including recruitment, subject to them remaining within their pay bill ceiling. Each Department can, in turn, determine the suitability of introducing similar arrangements for agencies and offices under its remit.
These new arrangements represent a significant shift away from centralised control and allow for greater flexibility in the management of public service staffing resources.
The issue of addressing 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). Any further consideration of remuneration adjustment for any group of public servants, 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). It will also of course have to comply with the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009-2015 (FEMPI), as well as its affordability being underpinned through delivering enhanced work place practices and productivity.
339. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will provide maps of the parts of Kilgarrylander, classified as flood plain or at flood risk from the River Maine under the Irish coastal protection strategy in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18141/16]
View answerDetails of the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study, including relevant maps are available on the OPW website at http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/floodanderosionmapping/icpss/.
