Written Answers Nos. 171-185
171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a castle (details supplied) where a guided service should be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20407/16]
View answerEvery consideration has been given to the request to provide a Guide Service at Carrigafoyle Castle, Ballylongford, Co. Kerry. However, for reasons previously outlined, the Office of Public Works is not in a position to provide this service and is satisfied that the existing access arrangements adequately facilitate those who wish to visit the site.
172. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works plans to employ general operative and maintenance staff in counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20408/16]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) employs permanent and seasonal general operative and maintenance staff in counties Sligo and Leitrim, on an ongoing basis, in the areas of drainage maintenance and National Monuments site maintenance. There are no current plans for additional recruitment to those positions.
Notices of open OPW recruitment competitions are available on the Recruitment section of www.opw.ie and are advertised in the national and local press, as appropriate.
173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide a breakdown of the savings made in each relevant sector of the Irish economy since the introduction of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009, 2013 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20235/16]
View answerAs recently outlined in the Summer Economic Statement, between 2008 and 2014 Departmental gross voted expenditure decreased by €8 billion as successive Governments sought to bring the public finances under control, exit the EU-IMF Programme and re-establish market access. Difficult decisions in areas including social welfare, health, capital and public sector pay and pensions were taken at a time of increasing demand for services in many areas.
Of this, savings related to public service pay and pensions under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009-2013 contributed €2.2 billion to the fiscal adjustment. The impact of these measures is now being ameliorated through the operation of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 which implements the Lansdowne Road Agreement at a full year cost of €844 million by 2018 with additional provisions providing for a similar programme of reductions in the impact of the Public Service Pension Reduction at a full-year cost of €90m in 2018.
The Annual Review of the operation and effectiveness of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts was laid before the Oireachtas last week and can be found here:
http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Annual-review-and-report-to-the-Houses-of-the-Oireachtas-by-the-Minister-for-Public-Expenditure-and-Reform-under-section-12-of-the-Act-2016.pdf.
174. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to address the low starting pay in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20250/16]
View answerRecruitment data from the Public Appointments Service and the overall growth in public service numbers indicates that starting pay rates in the Public Service are, in general, market competitive. Moreover analysis of public service pay band data available to the Department shows that some 93% of all public service staff are on salary points in excess of €25,000 per annum.
Under the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) the process of restoring public service pay has commenced with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 delivering a three year programme at a full year cost of €844m in 2018. Importantly, the Lansdowne Road Agreement is progressively weighted towards pay restoration for lower paid public servants. It makes provision for increases in gross pay in 2016 for those on pay up to €31,000 and in 2017 for lower and middle income public servants, namely those on pay up to €65,000. For any public servant whose annualised salary is below €24,001 they benefited from an increase in gross pay of 2.5% from 1 January 2016. For those on annualised salaries between €24,001 and €31,000 they benefited from an increase in gross pay of 1% from 1 January 2016. For all those on annualised salaries up to €65,000 there will be a flat rate increase in gross pay of €1,000 from 1 September 2017. Additionally, all public servants will benefit from the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) measures contained in the Lansdowne Road Agreement which will benefit all affected public servants by up to €733 in 2016 and €1,000 in 2017. However, through the operation of the tax code, lower paid public servants will benefit proportionately more from the PRD measures.
The combined impact of these measures, for example, on a public servant on a salary of €25,000 will be an additional €1,875 over the duration of the Agreement, a 7.5% increase.
The Agreement is also flexible enough to allow for the concerns of recent recruits to the public service to be addressed in a negotiated way and in return for work place reform to drive greater productivity in the public service, as has already been agreed with representative bodies of one group of public servants.
The Programme for Government also states that the Government will establish a Public Service Pay Commission to examine pay levels across the public service including any issues relating to new entrants' pay. The precise structure of such a commission and the technical aspects as to how it will operate have yet to be decided upon and will require broad consultation, including engagement with staff representatives as was committed to in the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
175. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20251/16]
View answerThe River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Flood Relief Scheme is currently being progressed by Wexford County Council with funding provided by the Office of Public Works. The current position is as follows -
The detailed design phase for both the new bridge installation and flood defences is underway. The required comprehensive surveying to inform the detailed design is being carried out. Ecology surveys commenced on site in Feb 2016 and are ongoing. Traffic surveys were completed in March 2016. Topographic & Bathymetric surveys were carried out on site during April & May 2016. The Archaeological survey of the river bed was completed in May 2016. The Invasive Species survey was completed in June 2016.
Site investigations works commenced on site in June 2016 and will continue in the town centre, along the river bed and river banks, and in the adjacent roads and footpaths throughout July. This work requires the drilling of boreholes and the excavation of trial pits and trenches to identify existing ground conditions and the location of underground services.
It is hoped to hold a public display of the proposed works later in 2016, and to submit the proposed scheme for formal Confirmation or approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and commence the procurement process for a works contractor in late 2016 with a view to construction commencing in the first half of 2017.
176. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the savings provided for in budget 2011 achieved by implementing the new pay grades for public servants entering the system on 1 January 2011; the savings that were made in each of the years 2012 to 2015 since the policy was implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20262/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ Ref: 19514/16 of 5 July.
177. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has recently met the Garda Representative Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20291/16]
View answerWhile I have not formally met with the Garda Representative Association officials of my Department have participated in all discussions with the Association on the issue of the Lansdowne Road Agreement alongside those of the Department of Justice & Equality.
178. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of capital expenditure in 2016; if it is on target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20292/16]
View answerNet capital issues at the end of June 2016 amounted to €1.148 billion, which falls short by €43m (3.6%) of profiled expenditure of €1.191 billion. The end-June 2016 issues figure compares to €1.054 billion for the same period last year and, therefore, represents an increase of €94 million or 8.9%.
Capital issues to date represent 31.1% of the total net capital estimate (€3.693 billion) for the year with €2.546 billion remaining to be spent. This is supplemented with capital carryover of some €111.8 million from 2015. For the same period last year, issues of €1.054 billion accounted for 31.8% of the 2015 net cumulative issues figure of €3.318 billion.
The Deputy will understand that variance between profiled and actual expenditure can arise over the course of the year reflecting a broad range of factors impacting on individual capital spending programmes and projects. At this point in time, it is currently expected that actual and profiled expenditure will be aligned in overall terms at end-year.
179. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered changes to the pension arrangements for public servants in civil partnership or same-sex marriage arrangements given the recent preliminary European Court of Justice findings in relation to a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20294/16]
View answerMy role as Minister in the field of pensions relates to issues affecting the civil and public service. The civil service operates Contributory Pension Schemes which provide benefits to spouses and/or children of deceased scheme members. In summary, when a member dies after retirement, a spouse's pension of up to one-half of the former member's pension is payable. Dependent children are also entitled to a child's pension.
Same sex married couples are afforded the same benefits under the Civil Service Schemes and the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, as married couples of the opposite sex. The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 extended the benefits provided to spouses under pension schemes to civil partners and the Marriage Act 2015 gives effect to the referendum on marriage equality.
The opinion of the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice referred to by the Deputy is being studied within my Department.
180. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff dedicated to managing Ireland's response to the decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union; the structure of this team; how it will work with teams in other Departments; who has overall responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/16]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing the arrangements that will need to be put in place to respond to the United Kingdom decision to leave the European Union.
In advance of the Referendum the Department had engaged in planning for the eventuality that there would be a vote to leave. In particular, it took part in the work of the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK relations which was convened by the Department of the Taoiseach, and it contributed to the risk assessment conducted by that Department. Actions relating to my Department are included in the Government's Contingency Framework, a summary of which was published immediately following the Referendum result. In addition, the implications of a vote to leave were considered by the Department's Management Board prior to the Referendum and the issue was included in the Department's risk register.
In light of the outcome of the Referendum, the matter will continue to be reviewed by senior management, and the Department will continue to take part in the work of the Interdepartmental Group. Negotiations are unlikely to commence for some months, however, and the arrangement to be out in place to respond to the vote will need to take account of how these proceed.
181. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide, per annum, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and the publication date. [20351/16]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount spent on external consultancy reports commissioned by my Department since 2011.
|
Name of Report |
Costs |
Date or Expected Date of Publication |
Name of External Consultant |
|
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement |
€35,819 |
June 2011 |
MKO Partners Ltd |
|
Report on Reasons Behind Voter Behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011 |
€41,043 |
January 2012 |
Red C Research and Marketing Ltd. |
|
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement |
€31,586 |
13 June 2012 |
Grant Thornton |
|
Capacity and Capability Review of Central Procurement Function |
€30,750 |
6 September 2012 |
Accenture |
|
ICT-MF Executive Assessment |
€30,750 |
November 2012 |
Innovation Value Institute, NUIM |
|
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement |
€24,206 |
3 July 2013 |
Grant Thornton |
|
Debt Management Final Report |
€135,514 |
Published 24 July 2014 |
BearingPoint |
|
Report of a Consultation with Civil Society Representatives and Citizens on Ireland's Participation in the Open Government Partnership
|
Funding of €25,735.25 was provided to Transparency International Ireland in 2013 following a competitive tender process to support a public consultation with civil society and the preparation of a report of their recommendations and proposals for potential inclusion in Ireland's Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. |
Published on 2 October 2013 |
Transparency International, Ireland |
|
Open Data project: Best Practice Handbook Data Audit Report Roadmap for Open Data Evaluation Framework Open Data Publication Handbook |
€19,188 |
July 2014 |
Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUI Galway |
|
Development of Training & Organisation Development |
€22,900 |
Internal report |
Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon. Trinity House, Charleston Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 |
|
Value for Money Report of Dublin Castle's Conference Facilities |
€4,674 |
Qtr 3, 2014 |
Newmarket Consulting |
|
Fund Structuring Services Agreement for Social Housing and Energy Efficiency in Ireland |
€26,767 |
5 November 2014 |
European Investment Bank |
|
Baseline Report Single Pension Scheme |
€24,900 |
9 December 2014 |
Mr Seamus O'Dwyer |
|
Civil Service Disciplinary Code Review (action identified under Civil Service Renewal Plan) |
€23,985 |
June 2015 |
Clarion Consulting |
|
Debt Management Final Report |
€135,514 |
July 2015 |
BearingPoint |
|
Comparative Report on European National Identification Numbers |
€37,500 |
Publication pending the completion of the work of the PPSN review Group |
Hans Graux of time.lex CVBA, Brussels, Belgium |
|
Provision of legal expertise to assist and advise the Department in the preparation of Guidance to Public Bodies under section 21(3) of the protected Disclosures Act 2014 |
€12,500
|
Provision of legal expertise only. Not for publication.
|
Lauren Kierans BL
|
|
Analysis of Business Processes for European Structural and Investment Funds and Development of a Detailed Specification for EU Structural Funds 2014-2020 |
€46,371
|
Publication pending the completion of the work of the Dovetail Group |
Dovetail
|
|
Options for the next National Lottery licence |
€615 |
Internal report |
Davy Corporate Finance |
|
Recommendations to DPER for Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme |
€23,917 |
November 2015 |
JBA Consulting |
|
Business case to deliver a new shared service model to deliver learning and development for the Civil Service external expert advice sought to assess the costs, benefits, risks and implications associated to the components elements of the new model |
€106,063 |
Report is not published yet |
Knowledge Pool as part of CAPITA Consulting |
|
Building Strategic HR in the Civil Service |
€8,000 |
Internal report |
McGrath Associates |
|
PeoplePoint: Optimal Resourcing Review reflecting present and future organisational requirements |
€49,200 |
Internal report |
Equita Consulting |
|
River Ilen (Skibbereen) drainage scheme: environmental impact statement recommendations to DPER |
€12,417 |
January 2016 |
Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers |
|
OGP ICT Category Strategies (8 in total) |
€153,000 |
January 2016 Internal report |
Accenture |
|
Public Service Spend & Tendering Analysis for 2014 |
€98,400 |
Pending approval |
Accenture |
|
Strategic Market Assessment Phase 1 |
€200,010 |
Internal report |
Deloitte |
|
Strategic Market Assessment Phase 2 |
€484,450 |
Internal report |
Deloitte |
|
Strategic Market Assessment Phase 3 |
€189,757 |
Internal report |
Deloitte |
|
eInvoicing Recommendation Report |
€160,327 |
TBC |
KPMG |
|
Review of environmental impact statement of the Bandon River (Bandon) drainage scheme including recommendations |
€7,196 |
March 2016 |
CAAS Limited |
|
Research and recommendation on a fit for purpose HR model/structure for the NSSO |
€21,000 |
April 2016 |
Sile O'Donnell |
|
Payroll Shared Services operational review |
€44,280 |
June 2016 |
Deloitte |
|
A critical review of the applicability of the performance related remuneration approach to the Irish Public Service |
€15,375 |
July 2016 |
Institute of Public Administration |
|
Capacity and Capability Review of Central Procurement Function |
€30,750 |
September 2016 |
Accenture |
182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total photography costs per annum for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance, in tabular form; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20381/16]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines photography costs incurred by my Department since 2011. I can confirm that the engagement of service providers by my Department operates within the parameters of value for money and where possible every effort is made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.
|
Event/Occasion |
Name of Photographer |
Breakdown of Costs |
Total Cost |
|
Irish Presidency EUPAN HRWG/IPSG meeting |
Fennell Photography |
Event photographer per hour: €75 Medium resolution image: €10 Vat@13.5%: €19.55 |
€104.55 |
|
Irish Presidency EUPAN Directors General meeting |
Fennell Photography |
Event photographer per hour: €75 Medium resolution image: €10 Vat@13.5%: €19.55 |
€104.55 |
|
Public Service Excellence Awards 2012 |
Maxwell Photography |
Photographer hired to take photographs of the award recipients and provide copies for them |
€811.52 |
|
ONE HR Learning and Development Strategy 2015-2017 |
Marc O'Sullivan Photography |
There is no further breakdown |
€369 |
|
Implementation of Action 13 Civil Service Renewal Plan |
Steven Langan t/a City Headshots |
Services provided to illustrate a range of civil servants at work in different roles to inform "Pride in the Civil Service" project and the first Civil Service Excellence and Innovation Awards supporting employee reward and recognition as part of the implementation of the Civil Service Renewal Plan |
€1,500 |
|
Official opening event for the OGP Offices at Spencer Dock
|
Noel Hillis Photography |
First hour on site: €130 Additional half hour: €50 Post production and supply of set of images: €40 |
€220 |
183. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to provide, broken down per annum, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming into office, in tabular form; the external public relations firm used; to outline the internal departmental policy with regard to employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/16]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question the services of a public relations firm have not been engaged by my Department since its formation in 2011.
184. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she collates data relating to start-up businesses that receive Leader funding and the outcome of these ventures; the number of start-ups supported in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date; the number of these that are still actively trading; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20409/16]
View answerThe following table details the number of enterprises assisted with LEADER funding each year under the Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013.
Specific data as regards start-up businesses was not recorded centrally under the previous programme. However, the IT system being developed for the new LEADER Programme 2014 – 2020 will capture specific details regarding start-up businesses that receive LEADER funding and the result of the investment provided to these businesses.
|
Output Achieved |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Total 2009 -2015 |
|
Enterprises assisted under Rural Development Programme (LEADER) |
1,349 |
1,644 |
1,347 |
2,478 |
1,964 |
800 |
9,582 |
185. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of money spent on Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas projects, by county, in each year from 2014 to 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20289/16]
View answer202. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide a breakdown of all Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas programme funding in 2015; the allocation for 2016 and the expenditure in 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20228/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 202 together.
Initiatives that have emerged from the work of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) include the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) pilot initiative in 2015, the forthcoming Town and Village Renewal Scheme and further smaller schemes administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The following table details the funding per county allocated under the REDZ pilot initiative in 2015, which addressed one of the CEDRA recommendations. There has been no expenditure in 2014 or to date in 2016.
|
County |
2015 |
|
Carlow |
€50,000 |
|
Clare |
€184,500 |
|
Cork |
€119,000 |
|
Donegal |
€250,000 |
|
Galway |
€207,500 |
|
Kerry |
€217,600 |
|
Kildare |
€112,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€142,500 |
|
Laois |
€50,000 |
|
Leitrim* |
€250,379 |
|
Limerick |
€192,000 |
|
Longford |
€150,000 |
|
Louth |
€300,000 |
|
Mayo |
€225,000 |
|
Meath |
€75,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€75,000 |
|
Offaly |
€172,500 |
|
Roscommon |
€75,000 |
|
Sligo |
€150,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€375,000 |
|
Waterford |
€209,688 |
|
Westmeath |
€125,000 |
|
Wexford/Carlow |
€50,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€56,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€3,813,667 |
* Figure includes a cross-county project (Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford & Cavan)
Due to the success of the Rural Economic Development Zones (REDZ) pilot scheme in 2015, I will shortly announce details of a follow-up REDZ scheme to facilitate the initiation of new REDZ projects. The REDZ funding will focus on initiatives that will create and develop an environment that supports economic development in the relevant areas.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which I will also launch shortly, has an allocation of €5 million for 2016. €4 million will be disbursed directly through the scheme, with the remaining €1 million allocated for disbursement by the Western Development Commission. Details in this regard will be finalised shortly.
There were also a number of smaller schemes administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that were allocated €1 million in 2015, including a North/South Social Farming initiative (SoFAB) a local artisan food markets initiative and an initiative to support rural female entrepreneurs called ACORN.
