Friday, 16 Sep 2016

Written Answers Nos. 870-895

Flood Risk Management

Questions (870)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

870. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24682/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The core strategy for addressing significant flood risks nationally is the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Killarney is one of 27 locations (AFAs) in the South West River Basin District and 300 locations nationwide that are being assessed under the Programme, the purpose of which is to implement the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. The area referred to in the Deputy’s question is not within the Killarney AFA boundary.

Local flooding issues are, in the first instance, a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. They may carry out flood alleviation works from their own resources or apply to the Office of Public Works (OPW) for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.

The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.

The CFRAM 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 Days were held in Killarney on 23 October 2015 on the draft maps, on 8 December 2015 on preliminary options and on 5 September, 2016 on the draft plans.

The draft plans for the South Western River Basin District are available for Statutory Public Consultation from 15 July, 2016 to 23 September, 2016. Further details are available on the dedicated consultation website www.opw.ie/FloodPlans. Copies of the draft plans, related Environmental Assessments and an information leaflet are available at the principal offices of each local authority. Submissions on the draft plans can be made in writing to Draft Flood Risk Management Plans Consultation, Engineering Services, OPW HQ, Jonathan Swift St., Trim, Co. Meath or by email to [e-mail].

Following this public consultation process, the draft plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received. The finalised plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, that can address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The plans, when finalised, will be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for approval.

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 Flood Risk Management Plans.

Office of Public Works Projects

Questions (871)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

871. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has appointed a building contractor with regard to the new Greystones Coast Guard station; if a timeframe has been put in place for the delivery of the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24922/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Tenders received by OPW for the proposed construction of a Coast Guard Station at Greystones, County Wicklow, are under consideration in conjunction with the Irish Coast Guard Service and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, as client, and a decision is expected imminently.

Public Private Partnerships

Questions (872)

David Cullinane

Question:

872. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to the statement of the Comptroller and Auditor General at a meeting of the Committe of Public Accounts on 21 July 2016 (details supplied), the number of look-back exercises that have been undertaken for public private partnerships since 2003; the number of look-back exercises that have been published for public private partnerships since 2003; the number of look-back exercises that found value was delivered in the way that was expected; the number of look-back exercises that found value was not delivered in the way that was expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24986/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Public Spending Code requires that a post project review be carried out for all major projects, including PPPs, once sufficient time has elapsed to allow the project to be properly evaluated with sufficient evidence of the flow of benefits/cost from it. A post project review aims to draw lessons for the future and, therefore, as required under the Public Spending Code, any significant lessons learned from the review should be translated into changes in the Sponsoring Agency's project practices and communicated for future reference to the Sanctioning Authority so that it can apply any general lessons to its project approval procedures. It is the responsibility of the Sponsoring Agency to carry out post project reviews at the appropriate time.

I am informed that a total of eleven post project reviews of PPPs have been undertaken to date, on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Courts Service. These reviews have not been published, as they contain information of a commercially sensitive nature, including information relating to tenderer's pricing and the calculation of the Public Sector Benchmarking.

Following the discussion at the Committee of Public Accounts, referred to by the Deputy, a briefing note on PPP post project reviews was requested from my Department for the Committee. This note is currently being finalised and will be sent to the Committee of Public Accounts shortly.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (873)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

873. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a river eroding land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25097/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The property referred to by the Deputy 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 channel.

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.

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 at http://www.opw.ie. It is open to Kerry County Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria available on the OPW website.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (874)

Dara Calleary

Question:

874. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details on the relocation scheme announced for houses in flood zone areas. [25755/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group is considering a range of policy issues and options in relation to flood risk management, including the potential costs and benefits associated with the introduction of a voluntary home relocation scheme. The work of the Group will, when completed, be submitted to Government for consideration in the context of the merits of the introduction of any such scheme.

Office of Public Works Properties

Questions (875)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

875. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the reason there has been such a drastic cut to the OPW lease contract for a premises (details supplied). [26252/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I can confirm that the Commissioners of Public Works hold a lease on the ground floor of the premises in question and that there has been no variation to the terms of the lease.

Office of Public Works Expenditure

Questions (876)

Carol Nolan

Question:

876. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the amount of money that has been spent on maintaining the scaffolding for Ardara Bridge, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26314/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The scaffolding at Ardara (Cadamstown) Bridge is the property of the Office of Public Works and as such is inspected and maintained in place by OPW works staff to support the project there.

The scaffolding at the Bridge is therefore included as part of the general project overhead provided from standing resources within the OPW Heritage Service and the costs associated with it are not identified separately.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (877)

Dara Calleary

Question:

877. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in light of recent significant flooding events and the need for a focused and co-ordinated response, he will designate the OPW as the lead agency for the entirety of the River Deel in Crossmolina, County Mayo, and allocate responsibility and resources for same. [24407/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Report of the Flood Policy Review Group was approved by Government in September 2004, which identified the OPW as the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland. The role involves the coordination of the activities of Government Departments and agencies in the area of flood relief and risk management.

The River Deel downstream of Crossmolina is part of the River Moy Catchment Drainage Scheme which was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) between 1960 and 1971 under powers set out in the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. As with other schemes carried out under the 1945 Act, the primary purpose was to provide outfall for the drainage of agricultural lands, but the scheme also contributes significantly to reducing the flood risk in urban areas which it serves.

The OPW continues to have statutory responsibility for maintaining completed arterial drainage schemes, including the River Moy Catchment Drainage Scheme, in proper repair and effective condition. Maintenance work is carried out in accordance with OPW’s Environmental Management Protocols and Standard Operating Procedures which have been developed to minimise the potential environmental impact of the operations. The OPW has no authority to carry out maintenance works in channels, such as those upstream of Crossmolina, which are not part of the scheme.

Crossmolina was identified as an area of potentially significant flood risk (known as an Area for Further Assessment, or 'AFA') under the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA), which is a requirement of the EU Floods Directive and was completed in 2011. As the assessment of flood risk in Crossmolina was already in-hand at the time of commissioning the CFRAM Studies, it was decided that the development of flood risk management measures for Crossmolina would continue in a project parallel to, rather than part of, the CFRAM Studies. The OPW is currently engaged in the development of a flood relief scheme for the town of Crossmolina. As an interim measure to help mitigate any further flood damage pending the completion of a flood defence scheme, OPW and Mayo County Council are working together on a pilot project of individual property protection. The Council has carried out a survey of households and has received expressions of interest from 60 homeowners for the installation of flood gates. OPW is currently appointing consultants to undertake surveys of individual properties to determine their suitability for floodgates.

Garda Remuneration

Questions (878)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

878. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the reason all public service pensions are to be paid on the first working day of each month from January 2016, compared to when it was paid on the first day of each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24419/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question, having clarified that the Deputy was enquiring about Garda pensions specifically, the Payroll Shared Service Centre has confirmed that no changes have been made to the date or day of payment of Garda pensions. These payments have always been on the first working day of the month.

Public Sector Staff

Questions (879)

Noel Rock

Question:

879. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a limit to the number of consecutive years an employee can work in the public sector as an outsourced member of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24454/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

People employed through recruitment agencies or on short term contracts may be covered by the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 Act or the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Workers) Act 2003.

As the Deputy will be aware, both of these Acts apply the principle of equal treatment in terms of basic working and employment conditions for agency and part-time workers in the same way as applies to employees recruited directly to do the same or a similar job.

As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have overarching responsibility for the Civil Service.

Most recruitment to the Civil Service is governed by the Public Service Management (Recruitment & Appointments) Act 2004, and the method of appointment to a permanent Civil Service post is as a result of being successful in a competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) or by another licence holder such as the head of a Department or Office. Selection processes are open to all eligible applicants who meet minimum entry criteria.

It is a matter for the Human Resource Units in all Departments and Public Sector Bodies to have procedures in place for dealing with the recruitment and employment of agency and fixed-term staff and the management of their contracts. Any queries about temporary contracts should be raised directly with the relevant HR Unit within the Department employing the person. I have no function in these matters.

My Department has issued Guidelines on "Best Practice for the Recruitment and Management of Fixed-term Employees in the Irish Civil Service". These are revised from time to time as required. The Guidelines can be found on my Department's HR Management website http://hr.per.gov.ie/.

EU Funding

Questions (880)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

880. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the current INTERREG programme funding of approximately €258 million and the current PEACE programme funding of €250 million will be honoured by the EU in order that the many projects due to commence by mid-summer can commence, including those projects planned for completion post-Brexit. [24479/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to answer on behalf of the EU in relation to the availability of EU funding as a consequence of the UK referendum on EU membership. I can assure him, however, of the Irish Government's continuing commitment to the successful implementation of the PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, and my officials and I are working to that end.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (881)

Hildegarde Naughton

Question:

881. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his plans to introduce a grant aid scheme following flooding that occurred in south County Mayo in December 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24487/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group is considering a range of policy issues and options in relation to flood risk management, including the potential costs and benefits associated with the introduction of an individual property protection scheme. The Group will be informed by two pilot projects which are currently underway in Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny and Crossmolina in County Mayo. The Group’s work, when completed, will be submitted to Government for consideration in the context of the merits of the introduction of any such scheme.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (882)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

882. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24588/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Maintenance of Ahafona Bridge, Ballybunion, County Kerry is not the responsibility of the Office of Public Works, as it does not form part of any arterial drainage schemes or catchment drainage schemes carried out by this Office under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995.

Local flooding and coastal erosion issues are matters for Local Authorities to investigate and address in the first instance and it is open to Kerry County Council (KCC) to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using its own resources.

The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme and it is open to KCC to apply for funding under this scheme. This administrative scheme's eligibility criteria includes a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial. Further details of the scheme are available on the OPW website at http://www.opw.ie.

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (883)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

883. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has guidelines on State advertising and the procurement process; and, if not, whether his Department has plans to draft such guidelines. [24602/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money.

EU Directives on public procurement require that public works, supplies and service contracts above certain thresholds must be advertised on the Official Journal of the EU and awarded on the basis of objective and non-restrictive criteria. For works contracts the threshold is €5.225 million; for supplies and service contracts awarded by Government Departments the threshold is €135,000 and for the remainder of public bodies the threshold is €209,000. The threshold for supplies and service contracts of entities operating in utility sectors (water, energy, transport and postal) is €418,000.  For contracts below these thresholds, the general requirement is that they be advertised on the national public procurement website www.etenders.gov.ie or, depending on value, awarded on the basis of a competitive process of direct invitation to an adequate number of suitable suppliers.

In addition the following national rules apply to below EU threshold procurements:

- all public contracts for supplies and services with an estimated value of €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) and upwards should be advertised on the national public procurement website, www.etenders.gov.ie.

- The advertising threshold for works is set at €50,000 (exclusive of VAT).

- Suppliers of goods and services and especially the SME Sector are encouraged to register on the e-Tenders website and avail of its facilities including receiving automatic alerts in relation to future tendering opportunities.

It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to ensure that they comply with EU and national rules in relation to public procurement.

EU Funding

Questions (884)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

884. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline when his Department became aware of the need to install a national computerised accounting and information system for EU funds to meet the 2014-2020 functionality requirements, eCohesion; the reason it was not installed before 31 December 2015 as was instructed by the European Commission; the reason the system still has not been installed; the repercussions if it is not installed by the end of 2018; and the amount of funding that would be lost or compromised if it is not installed by that date. [24603/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Common Provisions 1303/2013 for ESIF funding for 2014-2020, which provided for e Cohesion, entered into force on 20/12/2013. While the Regulation provides for the implementation of the system by 31 December 2015, the deadline for a first claim under the European Regional Development Fund, for which my Department has responsibility, is 31 December 2017. I am confident that the e Cohesion system will be in place by this deadline.

A public tender for the system was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on the 4th March 2016. Following an evaluation of tenders, none of the tenders received were deemed suitable by the Evaluation Team and the tender competition was discontinued. Following market research and consultation with other Member States a revised Tender was issued on the 9th of September 2016. The conclusion date for the e Cohesion project will depend on proposals received from bidders, but is expected to be rolled out in phases from early to mid-2017.

My Officials are in regular communication with EU Commission Officials, and have updated them on the tendering process. The European Commission has indicated to Member States that where it was not possible to put a full e-Cohesion system in place by the end of 2015 contingency arrangements could be adopted. Notwithstanding the work underway on the e-Cohesion system, my officials are also examining this approach, in conjunction with the Commission.

I would like to assure the Deputy that National Programmes co-financed by the ERDF are continuing to be implemented in order to maximise Ireland's drawdown of EU funding available for the 2014-2020 programme period.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (885)

Clare Daly

Question:

885. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline his plans to review the spouses' and children's pension payment, specifically the mandatory nature of payment into the scheme for all public servants regardless of marital status or whether they have children, in light of the fact that this matter was last reviewed 16 years ago, in 2000, by the Commission on Public Service Pensions. [24664/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I have no plans to review the Spouses' and Children's Pension Payment at the present time.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (886)

Clare Daly

Question:

886. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out his plans to implement a transitional pension such that civil servants who are currently required to retire at 65 years of age but who are not eligible for the state pension until aged 66 years are not left with only a jobseeker's benefit payment for that period. [24665/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In certain circumstances, civil servants whose pension is integrated with the State pension, may qualify for a supplementary pension to make up the difference between the amount of the occupational pension to which they are entitled and the amount they would have received if their occupational pension was not integrated.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (887, 888, 889)

Dara Calleary

Question:

887. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the number of credit cards issued to Ministers and officials working in his Department; the amount spent on credit cards by his Department in 2014 and in 2015; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24747/16]

Dara Calleary

Question:

888. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down in tabular form the number of credit cards issued to staff working in each State agency funded by his Department; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the amount of bank interest paid on credit cards in 2014 and 2015; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on personally held credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work related expenses; if these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24762/16]

Dara Calleary

Question:

889. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down in tabular form the number of credit cards issued to staff working in any third party agency funded by his Department; the number of cards per funded agency; the amount spent by credit card in 2014 and 2015 by each agency; the controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on these cards; the controls in place in each agency to monitor expenditure on credit card bills that are subsequently used to recoup work-related expenses; whether these controls are being reviewed in view of recent events in agencies funded by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24777/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 887 to 889, inclusive, together.

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Description	2014	2015
Number of credit cards	6	6
Amount spent on credit cards	€35,784	€29,925
Amount of bank interest paid	€83.30	€0.00

There are guidelines in place to ensure the appropriate use of credit cards in my Department and these are set out in an office notice that is circulated to all staff. The latest update was issued to all staff earlier this month. The notice outlines the application process along with guidelines for the use of official credit cards. Requests for credit cards must be sanctioned at a senior management level and the request must include a statement outlining the necessity of the card.

Members of staff who hold an official credit card receive a copy of their monthly statement and are required to certify that all charges incurred are correct and official in nature. They must certify that the appropriate approval had been obtained for the expenditure in cases where approval is required by a senior officer, the statement should be countersigned by the relevant senior officer and include receipts, in all cases. In the event that a receipt cannot be provided, the staff member is required to provide a detailed explanation of the charge. A hard copy of the statement, certified as being in order for payment, must be returned before that payment can be made.

The guidelines also cover personal purchases made by an individual officer. Payment must be made with the monthly statement together with an explanation regarding the use of the card for the purchase. Significant use of a departmental credit card for personal reasons would result in its withdrawal.

Credit card expenditure is subject to audit by the Internal Audit Unit and the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) to ensure that correct procedures are being followed in relation to the issue and use of Departmental credit cards.

The Office of Public Works

Description	2014	2015
Number of credit cards	50	77
Amount spent on credit cards	€180,057	€467,267
Amount of bank interest paid	€0.00	€0.00

The controls in place to monitor the issuing of and the expenditure on cards are set out in an internal Office Notice. These controls are subject to ongoing review and the latest Office Notice issued to all staff in July 2016. The Office Notice identifies the internal controls in place for credit cards and identifies the individual responsibilities of Cardholders, Card Managers, Approvers and the Card Administrators.

Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)

Description	2014	2015
Number of credit cards	3	3*
Amount spent on credit cards	£8,556	£12,346
Amount of bank interest paid	£0.00	£0.00

(* Since August 2015, there are two credit cards remaining in issue)

The Chief Executive Officer must approve the issue of any additional cards (no new cards issued in last 8 years). Expenditure is subject to all normal checks and controls applied by the Finance Team (normally in advance), who monitor usage, inspect receipts and procurement applied etc. These cards are used predominantly for advance purchase of flights/hotel accommodation for all staff (not just for the cardholders). These cards are not generally used for other expenses by the cardholders. All expenditure claimed as work related expenses are subject to 100% checking by finance team prior to payment, regardless of how the individual has funded the payment. Controls in this area are reviewed on a regular basis, and amended as necessary. Auditors also regularly consider this area.

Public Appointments Service (PAS)

Description	2014	2015
Number of credit cards	2	2
Amount spent on credit cards	€18,000	€24,000
Amount of bank interest paid	€0.00	€0.00

Each credit card has a specific credit card policy, signed by anyone with access to the credit card. One credit card is an office credit card, which is used for all organisational credit card transactions, but is controlled by one person. All expenditure on this card has to be signed off by two people. Supporting documentation on all expenditure on that credit card is verified by the Finance Unit on a monthly basis. The other credit card is retained by the CEO and any expenditure is signed off by the Personal Officer and counter signed by the Chairperson of the Board of PAS. There are already extremely tight controls on each of the office Credit Cards and they are reviewed on an annual basis.

The State Laboratory

Description	2014	2015
Number of credit cards	1	1
Amount spent on credit cards	€3,056	€3,087
Amount of bank interest paid	€0.00	€0.00

The State Laboratory have a policy on the use of credit cards. The monthly credit card bill is reviewed by a senior member of staff. The controls on credit card expenditure have been approved by and are audited by the internal auditor. The C&AG audit the credit card account every year.

The Office of the Ombudsman

Description	2014	2015
Number of credit cards	1	1
Amount spent on credit cards	€9,453	€7,184
Amount of bank interest paid	€0.00	€0.00

Receipts are provided in respect of all purchases made on the office credit card. A credit card control sheet is completed and the receipts are reconciled with and attached to the relevant credit card statement. The credit control sheet and the monthly credit card statement must be certified by the Director General as in order for payment, prior to payment by the Finance Unit. Personal expenditure on the office credit card is very infrequent. In such situations, any request for recoupment of such expenditure would be subject to the full ambit of controls contained in the procedures for processing general payments. The credit card policy was reviewed in May of this year.

The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) do not hold any credit cards. There are no third party agencies funded by my Department.

Public Procurement Contracts Data

Questions (890)

Clare Daly

Question:

890. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the number of State contracts allocated to a financial service company (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2016 to date. [24846/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The information sought by the Deputy is not centrally collected by my Department or the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Individual contracting authorities in the public and utilities sectors are responsible for retaining information in relation to contracts awarded by them. My Department or the OGP has not had any contract with the financial services company referred to by the Deputy.

Lansdowne Road Agreement

Questions (891)

David Cullinane

Question:

891. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will explain the contradiction between his statement to Dáil Éireann on 12 July 2016 that non-unionised public service workers who comply with the terms of that collective agreement will attract the benefits of the Lansdowne Road Agreement on one hand and the statement from the Department of Education and Skills on the other, as reported recently (details supplied); if his statement of 12 July 2016 is still valid in the context of the publicly-stated position of the Department of Education and Skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24882/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 12 July 2016, and the position remains unchanged. Those unions/associations who hold representation rights for public service grades who subscribe to collective agreements such as the Lansdowne Road Agreement attract the benefits of such agreements as do members of such grades who are not members of those unions/associations. Collective Agreements are concluded between employers and unions representative of the public servants in the grades to whom the agreement relates not individuals.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Questions (892)

Seán Fleming

Question:

892. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the details of all the meetings and persons who attended the community sector high-level forum which was reconvened by his Department in November 2015 to scope out the issues relating to a pension scheme for supervisors of community employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24940/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Following a meeting between the former Minister and SIPTU and IMPACT on 30th September 2015, the Community Sector High Level Forum (or Working Group) (previously the Informal Forum) was reconvened to examine the matter of the LRC recommendation on the Community Employment sector as well as addressing pensions and terms and conditions of employment issues for those working in the Community and Voluntary Sector. The forum met on 27 November 2015 and on 11 April 2016. The last scheduled meeting of the forum was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 November, including attendees  and the Terms of Reference of the forum that were agreed by the forum members are available on my Department's website at http://www.per.gov.ie/en/high-level-working-group-on-ce-scheme/. The issues raised in relation to pensions referred to in the question are set out in minutes of the meeting. The minutes and attendees of the meeting held on 11 April 2016 will be available on my Department's website once they have been ratified by the forum after it has been reconvened.

Prison Staff

Questions (893)

Seán Fleming

Question:

893. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline the way a request for an injury warrant in respect of prison officers is assessed by his Department, taking into account the advice of the Chief Medical Officer; if he will provide information guidelines on the way this matter is dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24973/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Injury warrant cases, which occur very infrequently, are assessed by my department on an individual basis taking account of all relevant factors, including any medical evidence that may be adduced.

Office of Public Works Properties

Questions (894)

Noel Rock

Question:

894. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set down the amount being paid per month on a lease of the building within which Harcourt Square Garda headquarters is contained; when this arrangement is scheduled to end; the contract details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25026/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland hold four leases in the Harcourt Square complex. Three of these leases have expired and fourth lease expires at end of 2016.

The Commissioners have exercised their statutory right to renew these leases and the matter has been referred to the Courts.

The annual costs of the four leases are as follows:

Block 1 -€1,300,000

Block 2 - €1,832,500

Block 3 - €1,278,800

Block 4 - €417,250.

Office of Public Works Properties

Questions (895)

John Brassil

Question:

895. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out the status of a school (details supplied) in need of refurbishment; if the OPW will commit to carrying out works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25064/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

This property is held by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform by virtue of the State Property Act, 1954. It is a non-operational vacant  property.

The Commissioners of Public Works have advised me that they have no plans to refurbish this property at this time. However any works necessary to maintain the fabric of the building will be undertaken.