Paul Murphy
Question:4. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts his Department has had with trade unions regarding pay restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36542/16]
View answerPublic Sector Pay
Questions (4)
Written answers
This Government strongly supports the Lansdowne Road Agreement as the centrepiece of public service pay policy which provides a negotiated pathway for the phased unwinding of FEMPI pay measures as they apply to existing public servants.
The recent Labour Court's recommendations on Garda pay were explicitly made within the framework provided by the Lansdowne Road Agreement. However, the wider implications of the recommendations in relation to the continued operation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement as it applies to all public servants across the public service are under careful consideration and assessment by the Government.
I met with ICTU representatives on 7 November last to get an early input to those considerations by Government from the Public Services Committee of ICTU in terms of the views of the constituent unions and associations of the impact from their perspective of the Labour Court Recommendations made in relation to the Garda Associations. Senior officials within my Department also met with the Public Services Committee of ICTU on 15th November last where both sides reiterated their commitment to a continued collective approach to public service pay issues. It was also agreed that those issues arising in relation to the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement could be more appropriately dealt with by the parties under the the relevant provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. In this regard both parties agreed to remain in ongoing contact on the issues raised over the coming weeks.
Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, answered orally.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (9, 34, 36)
Joan Burton
Question:9. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the discussion he has had with representatives of employers and trade unions in respect of the issues arising from proposed strikes in the public service. [33717/16]
View answer
Seán Sherlock
Question:34. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provisions he will put in place for engagement with the trade unions in view of recent pay restorations. [36578/16]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:36. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will engage with trade unions on public sector pay proposals; and the engagement that has taken place to date. [36577/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 34 and 36 together.
In the context of the Labour Court Recommendations on Garda pay, and the potential wider implications for the Lansdowne Road Agreement, I met with representatives from ICTU on the 7th of November to listen to their views and inform considerations on these matters by Government.
Senior officials within my Department also met with the Public Services Committee of ICTU on 15th November last where both sides reiterated their commitment to a continued collective approach to public service pay issues. It was also agreed that issues relating to the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement could be dealt with by the parties under the the relevant provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Both parties agreed to remain in ongoing contact on the issues raised over the coming weeks.
Officials from my Department also maintain regular formal and informal contact with other relevant Government Departments and public service employers in relation industrial relations issues in the public service.
The Government will continue, across the coming weeks, to work with all stakeholders to ensure the continuation of a collective pay policy framework that meets the needs of our public servants, provides stability, and safeguards our economy into the future.
Question No. 10 answered orally.
Flood Relief Schemes
Questions (11)
Brendan Smith
Question:11. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposals there are to carry out drainage or flood relief works on the River Erne in County Cavan due to large-scale flooding in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36372/16]
View answerWritten answers
The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 300 locations nationwide are being assessed under the Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities.
In relation to the River Erne system, CFRAM’s Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment study, carried out in 2011, designated Cavan Town, Ballybay, Ballyconnell and Ballinamore as Areas of Further Assessment and they are being assessed as part of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM Study.
In the AFAs of Cavan Town and Ballybay there are structural options proposed in the draft Flood Risk Management Plan which will be included in the prioritised programme of measures to be implemented. The public consultation for these Plans closed on 28th October 2016. The draft plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received.
In the AFAs of Ballinamore and Ballyconnell the detailed CFRAM analysis has determined that there is currently a very low level of flood risk from rivers and/or the sea in these areas.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. In August 2016 I wrote to all Local Authorities reminding them of the availability of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme and encouraged them to make the best possible use of the scheme to deal with localised fluvial and coastal flooding problems that may be eligible for funding under the scheme in their administrative areas.
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.
Question No. 12 answered orally.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (13)
David Cullinane
Question:13. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of returning to a single tier pay structure within the public sector. [36572/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 10% reductions in starting pay for certain new entrants were introduced in January 2011 as part of the National Recovery Plan in order to reduce the Public Service Pay Bill by the then Government.
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). From 1 November 2013 pre and post-2011 pay scales were merged into a single consolidated scale applicable to each grade. Generally, the third point of 1 November 2013 payscale is equivalent to the first point of scale of the pre-2011 scale. Guidelines in relation to the merging of the scales are available on my Department's website http://www.per.gov.ie/en/haddington-road-agreement/.
Any further remuneration adjustment, for any group of public servants including new entrants, can be examined under the framework of the Lansdowne Road Agreement but must also be considered in the context of the total cost of the agreement (€844m) and the total cost of the outstanding FEMPI restoration post-Lansdowne Road (€1.4bn).
Acting within these constraints, the Agreement has provided the flexability to address particular sectoral issues such as the restoration of supervision and substitution payments and new entrant payments in the Education Sector and the restoration of rent allowances to new entrant firefighters and members of An Garda Síochána.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (14)
Clare Daly
Question:14. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason pay restoration has to date focused on high earners rather than lower earners; and his plans to redress this matter through new pay restoration negotiations. [36364/16]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the unwinding of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) measures for low earners, the Deputy will be aware that the application of the FEMPI pay reductions were extremely progressive, with pay reductions ranging from 5% at lower pay levels to 29% at higher pay levels.
Again the measures applied under the phased unwinding of the FEMPI reductions through the LRA were also progressive - it provided the greatest benefit at the fastest pace to lower paid public servants by:
- exclusively targeting those earning under €65,000 for increases in pay - ranging from €1,500 for those earning €20,000 to €1,000 for those earning €60,000.
- utilising increases in the exemption threshold of the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) to maximise the benefit to low paid workers. All statutory deductions other than tax are made before PRD is taken from salary, therefore, a reduction of an amount in PRD will benefit the employee to that amount, less PAYE. For a person on the lower 20% tax rate, a €100 reduction in PRD gives a benefit of €80.
Consequently the percentage benefit of the commitments in the Lansdowne Road Agreement is clearly weighted to lower paid public servants - those on €20,000 will benefit by 8.1% of gross salary.
As a result public servants earning under €24,000 will be fully restored under the LRA, while those earning under €30,000 will have approx 80% of their FEMPI reductions unwound. In contrast, public servants who are earning €70,000 will receive 32% of their FEMPI reduction or those earning €120,000 will receive 28% of the FEMPI reduction that was applied to their remuneration.
Any further FEMPI adjustment measures post the Lansdowne Road Agreement will be collectively negotiated with the relevant union interests at the appropriate time and will have to be sustainable and affordable.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (15)
Mick Wallace
Question:15. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in view of the significant cuts to capital expenditure during the financial crisis, he is satisfied that the Government's Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016-2021 plan, which aims at a capital expenditure rate of 2.2% of GDP by 2021, is ambitious enough, particularly in view of the advice of many economic analysts (details supplied) that capital investment should be at least double that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36565/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Capital Plan published last year sets out a six year framework for infrastructural investment in Ireland. The scale and profile of the Exchequer component of the Plan was developed with reference to the Government's medium term economic growth forecasts and assessment of Ireland's fiscal targets at the time.
Since then, the current Government has made clear that the existing Capital Plan is the starting point for increased investment in priority areas into the future. This is demonstrated by the additional €5.14 billion now committed to capital investment over the period of the Capital Plan. I have recently announced the commencement of a Review of the Plan for the allocation of these substantial additional resources for capital investment to Government priorities.
As the Deputy has indicated, Exchequer capital expenditure will amount to 2.2% of GDP in 2021, or 2.7% of GNP, a better metric for the Irish economy. However, when the State Owned Sector investment of €14½ billion is included, along with a third phase of PPPs, total state backed investment will reach 3.7% of GNP in 2021.
While representing capital investment as a percentage of GDP tends to be used as a means to make international comparisons on the topic, in Ireland's case this ratio may not give an accurate reflection of the level of investment taking place. Given the exceptional nature of recent increases in GDP and GNP, we must be very cautious in how and when we use such figures and, if necessary, use additional indicators, such as capital expenditure as a percentage of total expenditure. Using that measure, Gross Voted Capital expenditure is set to increase to over 11% of Total Voted Expenditure by 2021, or almost 75% higher than in 2016.
This Government is committed to increased capital investment in the coming years to underpin the economy's medium-term growth potential and continued employment creation. The funding of our capital investment plans must be securely based on sustainable economic growth and must be consistent with the requirement of responsible fiscal policy. This is the clear lesson from the unsustainable expenditure policies that preceded our fiscal collapse. It also reinforces the importance of ensuring that we maintain a strict focus on securing value-for-money for the Exchequer rather than see the State's investment eroded by tender price inflation and by projects that do not meet cost-benefit tests.
Public Procurement Regulations
Questions (16)
Eamon Ryan
Question:16. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on applying spending sustainably to the public sector, that is, adding sustainability criteria as part of the public sector tendering process (details supplied). [36560/16]
View answerWritten answers
Public Procurement is governed by the EU Treaty, EU Directives, Regulations and national guidelines. These set down rules whereby contracting authorities must award contracts under procedures designed to achieve value for public money in an open, transparent and non-discriminatory competitive process. In addition to achieving value for money, the Government is also keen to explore the scope for supporting wider policy objectives including the use of social and environmental sustainability clauses in public contracts.
The Deputy may be aware that the revised EU Directives governing public procurement were transposed into Irish law last May. There is now greater scope and legal clarity in relation to the use of social and environmental criteria. These criteria can be inserted at relevant stages in the procurement process including the award criteria provided that they are linked to the subject matter of the contract and are contract specific.
The inclusion of environmental clauses in the procurement process is most suited to situations where the benefit could be considered a core requirement and can be directly linked to the contracting authority's policy or strategic plan. A further consideration is the ability of contracting authorities to effectively monitor compliance with the social or environmental clause.
However, while the Government is keen to explore the potential for including social and environmental clauses in public contracts, it should be noted that these are complex considerations. Account must also be taken to ensure that value for money is not adversely affected, additional costs are not placed on domestic suppliers relative to other potential suppliers, contracts are of a minimum scale to absorb the increased administrative requirements, and the targeted benefit is capable of being measured and monitored during the execution of the contract. In this context also, care must be taken not to disproportionately impact on SME's bidding for public contracts.
Equality Proofing of Budgets
Questions (17)
Mick Wallace
Question:17. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in the formation of public expenditure policies, his Department carries out impact assessments of the potential effects these policies have on inequality rates here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36566/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to developing a process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights, ensuring that institutional arrangements are in place to support equality and gender proofing.
Cabinet procedures require a range of impacts to be considered in every policy proposed to Government. This ensures that the impact of policy proposals on gender equality, rural communities, North-South/East-West Relations, employment, persons experiencing or at risk of poverty or social exclusion, people with disabilities and industry costs are taken into account.
In addition, the Departments of Finance and Social Protection undertake distributional analyses to assess the impact of the main tax and social welfare measures using the ESRI SWITCH model. The most recent SWITCH model analysis, conducted by the ESRI and published in the Irish Times in October, found that the greatest gains in Budget 2017 are in the lowest income quintile, driven largely by the welfare rate increases in the Budget.
This year, in order to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of the impact of budget measures on household living standards, my department has undertaken initial work in the area of Social Impact Assessment (SIA). The SIA framework is defined as an evidence-based methodology which attempts to assess the impact of policy on households' financial positions. The assessment can be quantitative, measuring the change in incomes as a result of policy, or qualitative offering a description of how policies affect households' financial positions.
A series of three papers were published alongside the Expenditure Report on the Budget 2017 website www.budget.gov.ie. These papers were prepared by members of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) and include impact assessments of Targeted Childcare Schemes and the General Medical Services Scheme. In the future, the aim will be to expand the assessment, in so far as is possible within the available data constraints, to demonstrate the impact of particular policy measures across the income distribution.
Overall, the analysis feeding into the decision making process has been improving over recent years and I envisage this positive dynamic continuing in the future.
Question No. 18 answered orally.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (19, 30, 31)
Paul Murphy
Question:19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the demands by trade unions for increased pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/16]
View answer
Ruth Coppinger
Question:30. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the demands by the trade union movement for increased pay and an end to pay inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36540/16]
View answer
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:31. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which he is managing the current public sector industrial relations environment; his plans to address the concerns of unequal pay for unequal work in addition to addressing pay restoration before the expiration of the Lansdowne Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36365/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 30 and 31 together.
The Government remains committed to the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) as the Collective Agreement in place with the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and other associations representing public servants. The Agreement provides for sustainable pay increases through adjustment of the existing measures under the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) measures legislation. The estimated cost of the implementation of the LRA is €267m in 2016, €290m in 2017, €287m in 2018 or a cumulative €844m out to 2018. This represents a considerable investment by the Government in negotiated pay increases for public servants. Any further adjustment measures under FEMPI will be collectively negotiated with the relevant union interests at the appropriate time and will have to be sustainable and affordable.
The 10% reductions in starting pay for certain new entrants were introduced by the then Government in January 2011 as part of the National Recovery Plan in order to reduce the Public Service Pay Bill. Terms and conditions of employment for public servants are also set by reference to legislation including the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts and through negotiation and agreement under Collective Agreements such as the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) and the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA).
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. Any further consideration of remuneration adjustment for any group of public servants, including issues relating to more recently recruited public servants, fall to be examined within the provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Agreement provides the framework and is flexible enough to address particular sectoral issues such as the restoration of supervision and substitution payments and new entrant payments in the Education Sector and the restoration of rent allowances to new entrant firefighters and members of An Garda Síochána.
Questions Nos. 20 to 22, inclusive, answered orally.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (23)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:23. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a commitment to full restoration of pay to public sector workers that experienced pay reductions of up to 20% between 2008 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36530/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware I am obliged under the legislation to undertake an Annual Review of the operation and effectiveness of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts (FEMPI) which is laid before the Oireachtas by the end of June each year.
In my last review of the necessity for the continuing application of the measures provided for under the Acts, my decision was informed by the instability in the international economy (including risks posed by Brexit), the still fragile nature of our economic recovery, the need to protect hard won competitiveness gains, the high level of debt, the continuing fiscal deficit, the obligation to comply with the Stability and Growth Pact, and the need to balance competing demands within the available fiscal space. To date none of these factors have lessened appreciably, while the risks of international economy instability have, if anything, increased.
In this context the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA), which provides a negotiated pathway for public service pay increases through a phased partial unwinding of the FEMPI measures at a full year cost of €844m in 2018, represents a considerable investment in public service remuneration. A comprehensive Collective Agreement of this kind allows for strong fiscal planning, with budget allocations ring-fenced within multi-annual expenditure ceilings and pay increases taking an appropriate share of available fiscal space. This phased and sustainable programme of pay increases underpins the fiscal targets in Budget 2017 and our international commitments to have a prudent fiscal policy under the Stability and Growth Pact. Any further adjustments in the application of the FEMPI measures will be negotiated with public service staff representatives through a further Collective Agreement that is sustainable and affordable at the appropriate time.
Teachers' Remuneration
Questions (24)
Ruth Coppinger
Question:24. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts he or his Department has had with the ASTI regarding the restoration of pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36539/16]
View answerWritten answers
It is the position that parties represented on the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC), including officials of my Department, are currently in discussion with the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland on a range of matters of mutual concern. A number of meetings have already taken place under the TCC and further meetings are planned. The proceedings of the TCC are confidential and in such circumstances it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.
Open Government Partnership
Questions (25)
Eamon Ryan
Question:25. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will introduce transparency in sustainability reporting in Government-owned entities (details supplied). [36561/16]
View answerWritten answers
There are a number of internationally recognised standards that may be relevant to particular organisations in particular sectors. The role of my Department in encouraging good Governance does not extend to prescribing standards which may be of a technical nature or require a level of expertise in application that is particular to specific sectors.
My Department encourages the adoption of standards that are understood by a broad section of society and relevant to the activities of a broad range of public bodies.
The Deputy may wish to note that Ireland's Draft Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan (which has been laid before this house) contains a commitment to improve public policy in the area of Climate Action by strengthening transparency and participation in formulating Climate Action targets. The objective is to integrate the transparency requirements of United Nations Climate Change agreements into the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan so that open government reforms can help advance climate action.
This will be advanced by implementing the National Dialogue on Climate Change. All Government Departments, State Agencies as well as Local Authorities and sectoral representatives will be central in holding a constructive Dialogue. Sectoral representatives will be drawn from a broad range of bodies such as:
Community Groups;
Environmental and other Non -Governmental Organizations;
Members of the Farming Community;
Business and Trade Union representatives;
Youth organizations;
Churches and religious groups; as well as
Organizations promoting Women's Rights and Human Rights.
The draft National Action Plan is now open for public consultation, in which context the suggestion included in the Deputy's question can be considered further.
Public Expenditure Policy
Questions (26)
Bernard Durkan
Question:26. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the spending targets for 2016 are likely to be affected by any events in the interim; the extent to which any such affects have been quantified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36537/16]
View answerWritten answers
Public expenditure has been managed in line with key fiscal targets over the last number of years. To ensure that these targets are met, managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Department. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against the published expenditure profiles. In this regard, the voted expenditure report published with the end-October Exchequer statement outlines that gross voted expenditure of €44,219 million to end-October was €795 million (1.8%) below profile.
As set out in the Expenditure Report 2017, total gross voted expenditure for 2016 is now estimated at €56.1 billion. This is 0.6 per cent higher than the level set out in the Estimates for 2016. This increase in expenditure reflects an additional €200 million of capital funding for necessary repair work to transport infrastructure arising from flood damage at the start of the year and expenditure arising on school building works. In addition, an amount of €220 million is included to fund a Christmas Bonus to long-term Social Welfare recipients. In line with previous years, it is anticipated that the additional cost of providing this bonus will be offset by year-end savings across a number of Departments. The Christmas Bonus will be funded through both voted expenditure and the Social Insurance Fund. In addition, since publication of the Expenditure Report 2017, given the need to respond proactively to growing uncertainties for Irish based enterprise, additional funding is to be allocated to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in 2016. This additional funding, which by fast-tracking the delivery of certain spending programmes in 2016 through an increased 2016 allocation, should provide the space for increased spending on Brexit initiatives in 2017 within the allocation for 2017 agreed at Budget time. All of these additional amounts will be reflected in the Supplementary Estimates presented to the Dáil.
Given the scale of the under-spend versus profile at the end of October and the level of savings surrendered to the Exchequer at the end of 2015, it is expected that all Supplementary Estimates can be accommodated within the overall gross voted expenditure amount of €56.1 billion set out in the Expenditure Report 2017.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (27)
Seán Sherlock
Question:27. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the mechanism he will use to utilise the views of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas in any pay restoration talks that might take place. [36579/16]
View answerWritten answers
I am very open to and accountable to the Oireachtas through keeping Deputies informed by responses to Parliamentary Questions, engagement with Parliamentary Committees, and engaging with Deputies on specific issues through the reformed Budgetary processess - including on the Summer Economic Statement, Mid Year Expenditure Report and through the National Economic Dialogue.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Annual Review by me as Minister of the operation and effectiveness of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts must be laid before the Oireachtas before the end of June.
Public Expenditure Policy
Questions (28)
Seán Sherlock
Question:28. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the need for future Supplementary Estimates; if he will use such a mechanism for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36580/16]
View answerWritten answers
Given the scale of gross voted expenditure, €58 billion in aggregate for 2017, the cash basis of Government accounting, and the funding implications that unexpected events can have on expenditure requirements, the need for Supplementary Estimates can arise for a number of reasons:
- Policy - the Government may decide, taking into account developments during the year, that it is appropriate to allocate additional funding to a certain area, and to propose this to the Dáil;
- Overrun - there may be an overrun on a Vote within a Vote Group, which requires additional funding to deal with the overspend. The net impact on overall spending of these overruns can be offset, in the first instance, either fully or partially by expected savings that will arise on other Votes within the relevant Vote Group;
- Timing - events may occur which change the timing of certain receipts or payments, and change the amount that is required to be spent during the present year; or
- Technical - there may be shifts in expenditure requirements between various areas within a Vote which, although they do not involve a net increase in the total level of spending, may be appropriate to bring to Dáil attention.
Therefore, Supplementary Estimates play an important role in achieving a proper alignment of funding allocations with planned expenditure. However, with Ireland operating under the fiscal rules that apply under the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact, Supplementary Estimates in 2017 can only be permitted where they can be accommodated within the requirements of the fiscal rules in terms of the projected structural budget balance and application of the Expenditure Benchmark.
Garda Remuneration
Questions (29)
Mick Barry
Question:29. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the part played by his Department in the negotiations with the Garda representative associations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36543/16]
View answerWritten answers
It is the position that officials representing my Department in conjunction with their colleagues in the Department of Justice and Equality recently met with representatives of the Garda Associations to discuss matters of mutual concern related to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. These discussions were conducted in the first instance on a bilateral basis between the two parties concerned and subsequently on an ad hoc basis under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.
Questions Nos. 30 and 31 answered with Question No. 19.
Brexit Issues
Questions (32)
Seán Sherlock
Question:32. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times he has met with officials from his own Department, the European Commission, the United Kingdom, the World Bank and the IMF regarding the vote of the United Kingdom to leave the EU and the impact it will have economically. [36581/16]
View answerWritten answers
Following the result of the UK referendum on EU membership I had my first discussion on its implications with my own officials on the day of the referendum result itself, and I have met with them regularly since then as matters have developed.
As regards the European Commission, my Northern Ireland colleague, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and I wrote, at my initiative, to EU Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Cretu on 20 July 2016 to underscore our joint commitment to the PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, and my officials have met the Commission on a number of occasions since then to advance the issue.
I have met and spoken by phone with Minister Ó Muilleoir on a number of occasions since the Referendum result to discuss the two North South programmes, most recently in the margins of the Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh on 18 November 2016.
Ireland also has an INTERREG Programme with Wales, and I met my Welsh counterpart, Mark Drakeford in Dublin on 21 October 2016. I also had a meeting with the British Ambassador to Ireland on 14 November 2016.
Issues relating to the IMF and the Work Bank are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (33)
Dara Calleary
Question:33. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the 2017 review of capital spending; if progress been made on the proposed approach to the review; if the proposed extra allocation of €2.5 billion will be affected by recent budgetary adjustments around public service pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36525/16]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is continuing its work on the planning of the Capital Review, the outcome of which is expected to be ready in time for publication alongside the 2017 Mid-Year Expenditure report.
The objective of the Capital Review will be to provide a focused analysis of capital spending and what can realistically be delivered over the remainder of the Plan utilising the additional resources now available. It will take stock of progress to date and the wide range of infrastructure which is already being delivered. It will also provide the Government with an opportunity to reaffirm priorities and, if necessary, recalibrate investment plans. The key task, however, will be to recommend how the remaining unallocated capital funding should be allocated over the period of the plan, having regard to the priority areas identified in the Government's Programme.
The review will not entail a fundamental revision of the Capital Plan, given the significant analysis that was put into developing the existing Capital Plan, which was of course published just one year ago, and the progress in delivery achieved to date. As would be expected in terms of any review process, the review will take into consideration economic, fiscal and other developments since the Capital Plan was originally agreed by Government. This will help underpin, the allocation of the additional capital funding resources to where they would be expected to have greatest impact in terms of Government priorities.
It will also be very important to ensure that these allocations are informed by value-for-money considerations in line with the requirements of my Department's Public Spending Code.
Projected capital allocations out to 2021 are as set out in the Estimates for 2017. As the Deputy will appreciate increased investment in public capital infrastructure has a major role in enhancing the economy's growth potential which underpins the revenue base required to fund priority public services.
Question No. 34 answered with Question No. 9.
Fiscal Policy
Questions (35)
David Cullinane
Question:35. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the Government's strict adherence to the fiscal rules is increasingly difficult to defend. [36575/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the conduct of fiscal policy, including in terms of ensuring compliance with the fiscal rules, is a matter for the Minister for Finance on behalf of the Government.
The Deputy may wish to note, however, that compliance is not just an EU requirement under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) but is a consequence of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union that Ireland acceded to following a referendum in June 2012. The fiscal rules are also part of the national legislative framework for budgetary policy set out under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 approved by the Oireachtas.
Apart from the constitutional and legal position, the fiscal rules are designed to ensure fiscal discipline and - in so doing - to underpin sustainable economic growth. Given our comparatively high debt level and the fact that we are a small and highly open economy operating in a global economic environment that can be turbulent, a key objective for budgetary policy is to achieve a balanced budget in structural or underlying terms. In doing so we can continue to reduce our debt to much lower levels which will increase our capacity to withstand future shocks through the capacity to borrow at sustainable rates in international bond markets. In this context I welcome the assessment recently published by the European Commission that - on an ex-ante basis - Ireland's Budget for 2017 is broadly compliant with the fiscal rules for 2017. This finding will help maintain the international investor and market confidence in the Irish economy that yields benefits in terms of foreign investment and our ability to borrow to meet our expenditure needs.
In conclusion, in order to illustrate the requirement for and the benefit of the fiscal rules, I would also draw the Deputy's attention to Figure 6 on page 16 Expenditure Report for 2017 published at www.budget.gov.ie
This shows that in the period from 2014 to 2017, gross voted expenditure will have grown by 9%. This is in comparison to three-year expenditure growth figures of between 26% and 57% that were experienced in the 1999 to 2008 period.
Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 9.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (37)
Mick Barry
Question:37. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contacts his Department has had with other Departments on the issue of public sector pay restoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36544/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Lansdowne Road Agreeement is a Collective Agreement between the Government and public service employers with the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and other associations representing public servants. The terms of the Agreement have been implemented through the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015 and represent an agreed, affordable and fiscally sustainable partial restoration of reductions applied to remuneration of public servants. There are well established formal and informal stuctures in place to address the implementation of the terms of the Agreement. Where implementation issues arise my officials interact with other Departments as and when required through existing formal and informal structures.
Public Expenditure Policy
Questions (38)
David Cullinane
Question:38. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flexibility his Department is reviewing in terms of the fiscal rules and public capital investment. [36574/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, there are specific flexibility provisions within the fiscal rules for public capital investment. In specific terms, the Expenditure Benchmark pillar of the fiscal rules allows favourable treatment for capital investment through the smoothing of capital formation increases over four years. This means that only one quarter of an annual increase in capital investment must be funded in the first year from within the fiscal space, which allows for the front loading of capital formation increases.
This flexibility has been utilised by the Government to prioritise funding for capital investment. The results of this prioritisation are shown in Tables 4 and 6 of the Expenditure Report 2017, which detail the Exchequer capital ceilings for 2016 to 2019. These tables illustrate that the allocation for public capital investment will grow from around €4.2 billion in 2016 to over €6 billion in 2019, a 46% increase in public capital investment in just three years.
The Capital Plan published in 2015 outlines the framework and broad direction for investment priorities. As set out in the Expenditure Report 2017, there will be a review of the Capital Plan beginning immediately with the aim of presenting a revised programme of capital investment in the first half of next year. In setting out proposed allocations for each Department in 2018 and 2019, the review will take into account commitments already contained in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
Flexibility within the fiscal rules for growth enhancing capital investment will ensure sustainable increases in capital funding, which will help to achieve our social objectives while maintaining the health and sustainability of the public finances.
Flood Risk Management
Questions (39)
Dara Calleary
Question:39. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times the flood management policy interdepartmental co-ordination group and the national CFRAM steering group have met; the decisions made and actioned by these groups; if he will provide an assessment of the current preparations in advance of the flood season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36524/16]
View answerWritten answers
The Interdepartmental Flood Policy Coordination Group that I chair was established in 2005 and met on four occasions between March 2006 and September 2009. During this period, many elements of the Outline Implementation Plan for the 2004 Flood Risk Management Policy that involved parties in addition to the OPW were undertaken and/or completed including the publication of Planning guidelines, actions in respect of forecasting and the launch of the website resources www.flooding.ie, www.floodmaps.ie and www.waterlevels.ie.
The Group has met eight times since it was reconvened in July 2015. The Group recently presented for consideration and agreement by Government an interim report setting out progress on its work and making appropriate recommendations for consideration by Government at this time. The report has been approved by the Government and is available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.
The Government has agreed to key recommendations of the Group to introduce a targeted Voluntary Homeowner Relocation Scheme for those properties worst affected by last Winter’s flooding, to further examine the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation and to continue the current strategy for improving the availability of flood insurance cover by prioritising spending on flood relief measures by OPW and relevant local authorities and improving channels of communication between the OPW and the insurance industry.
The National CFRAM Steering Group was formed in May 2009 to provide a forum to promote communication and coordination among key stakeholders in the implementation of the EU 'Floods' Directive, and for these stakeholders to provide their advice, input and knowledge on the overall direction and outputs of the National CFRAM Programme and related ‘Floods’ Directive matters. The Steering Group met on six occasions between May 2009 and November 2010 and the work was informed by the Pilot CFRAM Studies and the policy direction of the Interdepartmental Group.
During this period, the Steering Group provided input into:
- The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment that provided the process to designate in early 2012 the 300 Areas for Further Assessment for consideration by the CFRAM Programme.
- The preparation of the CFRAM Brief that provided, inter alia, the appointment of engineering consultations through a procurement process and the appropriate governance structures for each of the six study areas.
- The preparation of the Statutory Instrument to transpose the EU 'Floods' Directive.
Robust governance structures were then established for each of the six CFRAM Study areas and these continue to meet on a regular basis. The Steering Group was reconvened in November 2014 when the draft maps were being prepared for public consultation. A further meeting took place in 2016 prior to the consultation on the draft Flood Risk Management Plans. To date, the Steering Group has met on eight occasions and there have been over 250 meetings of the Project-level Steering and Progress Groups. Given the study based governance structures, the OPW, as lead and competent authority for flood risk management in Ireland took responsibility for oversight and co-ordination of the CFRAM programme.
The Flood Risk Management Plans are a major step forward to help Government make informed investment decisions on flood risk management. The Government’s commitment to continue support of flood relief is underlined in the provision of €430 million to Flood Risk Management in the Capital Investment Plan 2016 to 2021.
Since last Winter, the OPW has accelerated its resources to complete major flood defence schemes. This year there is a record of 12 major schemes at construction and a further 23 at design development stage. These include schemes in Bandon, Crossmolina and Claregalway. In addition, the OPW has approved €4.3m to date this year in funding to local authorities for over 80 local flood relief projects under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. I have written to local authorities to encourage them to use this scheme to address localised flooding issues. It has proven an ideal vehicle to deliver localised flooding solutions in both towns and rural areas. All of these works will help in a very real way to protect against flooding and alleviate worry and hardship for so many more people.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is the lead Government Department for the response to severe weather and flooding. That Department has published a Review Report on the response to the severe flooding that affected many parts of the country during winter 2015-2016. The report examines the preparedness measures in place for such events and the coordination and effectiveness of those responses. The report draws together the learning points from the response activities and sets out a series of recommendations to improve the preparedness and response to future emergencies. Many of these recommendations have been implemented.
Registration of Title
Questions (40)
David Cullinane
Question:40. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has considered lowering the cost of registering rights of way under the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36605/16]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that a Court Order under Section 35 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 declaring the existence of an easement [right of way] acquired by prescription is required to be registered in the Land Registry or Registry of Deeds as appropriate. The prescribed fee for registration in the Land Registry is €40 under the Land Registration (Fees) Order, 2012 (S.I. No. 380 of 2012) which came into operation on 1 December 2012 and in the Registry of Deeds it is €50 under the Registry of Deeds (Fees) Order, 2008 (S.I. No. 51 of 2008) which came into operation on 1 May 2008.
In the case of applications for registration of an easement [right of way] acquired by prescription under Section 49A of the Registration of Title Act 1964, as inserted by section 41 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, the fee for an application to register such an easement is prescribed by the Land Registration (Fees) Order 2012 as €130.
There are no plans at this time to make any changes to the costs of registering such rights of way.
Garda Deployment
Questions (41)
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:41. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for the Drogheda district and the Dundalk district for each of the years 2011 to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36607/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
I am further informed that the Garda strength of the Drogheda District and the Dundalk District, on 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 104 and 164 respectively. There are also 18 Garda Reserves and 11 civilians attached to the Drogheda District and 9 Garda Reserves and 8 civilians attached to the Dundalk District. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI), the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (formerly the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation) and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. This is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. I am pleased to say that the recruitment campaign launched by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner last September, the second campaign this year, again received a strong response.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College, 679 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide including 41 to the Louth Division.
I am further informed that the following table sets out the Garda strength for the Drogheda and Dundalk District for each year since 2011 to 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available.
DROGHEDA AND DUNDALK DISTRICTS 2011 - 2016
|
DISTRICT |
STATION |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
DROGHEDA |
CLOUGHERHEAD |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
DROGHEDA |
98 |
93 |
93 |
92 |
97 |
95 |
|
|
DUNLEER |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
TOTAL |
107 |
102 |
102 |
101 |
106 |
104 |
|
|
DUNDALK |
BLACKROCK |
5 |
6 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
|
CARLINGFORD |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
|
DRUMAD |
6 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
|
|
DUNDALK |
130 |
123 |
120 |
119 |
123 |
138 |
|
|
HACKBALLSCROSS |
6 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
|
|
OMEATH |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
|
TOTAL |
158 |
151 |
146 |
145 |
147 |
164 |
Immigration Status
Questions (42)
Bernard Durkan
Question:42. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the correct procedure to be followed to regularise the position here in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36614/16]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to the Reply given to his recent Parliamentary Question No. 72 of Thursday 10th November 2016. The status of the person concerned is as set out in that reply.
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 29 July 2016. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of the Deportation Order is a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Legal Services Regulation
Questions (43)
Dara Calleary
Question:43. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the powers available to the Taxing Master to enforce a judgment against a law firm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36615/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, Taxing Masters are independent office holders attached to the High Court and are appointed by the Government. The positions of the Taxing Master and their offices are governed by the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 as amended by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 and their function is confined to taxation of costs (i.e. ascertaining the amount due for costs) and does not extend to enforcing a judgment for costs.
In relation to a judgment or decision of the court which includes an award of costs to be taxed in default of agreement, it is a matter for the party to whom the costs are awarded, following the taxation of those costs and the taking up of a certificate of taxation by that party, to enter judgment in respect of such costs on foot of the certificate of taxation and to seek enforcement in the usual manner.
Gambling Legislation
Questions (44)
Anne Rabbitte
Question:44. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a new Gambling Control Bill will be published, in view of the fact that heads of a Bill were published in 2013. [36629/16]
View answerWritten answers
The General Scheme of the Gambling Control Bill was published in July 2013 following approval by the Government and is currently in drafting by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The Bill, as proposed, will update all existing laws on the regulation of gambling, including betting and gaming but excluding the National Lottery. It will provide for the licensing of all forms of on-line gambling.
The General Scheme was referred to what was at the time the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for consideration and observations. The Joint Committee received 29 submissions and held public hearings following which it issued a report on 6 November 2013 which contained 8 conclusions and was laid before the Houses.
The 2013 General Scheme provides for the conferring of responsibility for all regulatory matters in this area on the Minister for Justice and Equality, including licensing, inspections and prosecutions, and it envisages that these functions would be carried out by a body located within the Department of Justice and Equality. The General Scheme also provides for a dedicated inspectorate to ensure compliance by licence holders with the terms of their licences and with the new legislation generally.
The Gambling Control Bill will have consumer protection generally as one of its core principles, and it is envisaged that it will include several measures aimed at the protection of vulnerable persons, including children, from risks to their well-being arising from gambling. The 2013 Scheme includes measures that will require licence holders to act in a socially responsible way. These measures include controls on advertising, promotions and sponsorship.
It would remain the intention to proceed with this legislation at the earliest feasible opportunity. In support of these efforts the Government has delegated powers of the Minister for Justice and Equality under the gaming and lotteries legislation to me as Minister of State. Since my appointment I have requested my departmental officials to commission a review of the Scheme published in 2013 by way of taking account of intervening developments and technologies in the gaming sector. This review will help to update policy in this area. The review process is ongoing for completion by the end of this year
At the same time, and pending the bringing forward of the main Bill, which is a major undertaking, I have also asked my Department to examine whether there are any individual pressing areas of concern, intended to be dealt with in the Bill, which could be dealt with sooner in the new year by separate legislative measures and this is being actively considered. This will be augmented by the completion of the more complex work on the main Bill for Government approval and publication later during 2017.
I am very much aware that there are a number of areas of immediate concern to members of the public and to the wider community. It is my intention, therefore, that work on such early measures will continue in tandem with the wider review of the existing Scheme of a Bill to avoid any undue delay.
I and officials of my Department are continuing to consult with relevant stake-holders, including those with experience in dealing with persons for whom gambling has become a problem and, as I have outlined, I intend to move forward as quickly as possible with the appropriate legislation.
Coroners Service
Questions (45)
Gino Kenny
Question:45. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if it is within her remit to direct an inquest to be held by a coroner; if she can direct an inquest into the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36630/16]
View answerWritten answers
The position is that the obligation on a coroner to hold an inquest lies in Section 17 of the Coroners Act 1962, as amended, where the body of a deceased person is lying in his or her district. There may be circumstances, such as in the case of a missing person, where a coroner has reason to believe that a death has occurred and that an inquest would be appropriate in the particular case, even though a body has not been recovered. In this regard Section 23 of the Coroners Act states that -
"Whenever a coroner has reason to believe that a death has occurred in or near his district in such circumstances that an inquest is appropriate and that, owing to the destruction of the body or its being irrecoverable, an inquest cannot be held except by virtue of this section, the Minister may, if he so thinks proper, direct an inquest in relation to the death to be held by that coroner or another coroner, and thereupon the coroner so directed shall hold an inquest in relation to the death in like manner as if the body were lying within his district and had been viewed by him."
The application of Section 23 in the case referred to by the Deputy has been raised in correspondence received in my Department and I can assure the Deputy that I have had the legal issues involved carefully examined. The important point is that Section 23 does not empower me to issue a direction to hold an inquest where the coroner does not believe that such an inquest is appropriate. In relation to the particular case in question I am advised that the Coroner is of the opinion that an inquest would not be appropriate at this time. In such circumstances the question of me, as Minister, directing an inquest does not arise.
Garda Deployment
Questions (46)
John Curran
Question:46. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí stationed in Lucan, Ronanstown and Clondalkin as of September 2014, September 2015 and September 2016; her plans to increase the number of community gardaí in these stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36637/16]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. In this regard I welcome the strong emphasis placed by the Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 on further developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. Proposed initiatives include the establishment of local Community Policing Teams (CPTs) headed by an Inspector and made up of Gardaí from across a range of areas to proactively work with the community to prevent and detect crime; and the establishment of Community Safety Fora in every District comprising local Gardaí, local communities and key stakeholders.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.
Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. This is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. I am pleased to say that the recruitment campaign launched by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner last September, the second campaign this year, again received a strong response.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that since the reopening of the Garda College, 679 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. It is expected that Community Policing and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.
The following table shows the number of Community Gardaí assigned to the Lucan, Ronanstown and Clondalkin Districts for each of the years since 2014 to 30 September 2016.
Community Gardaí Sept 2014- Sept 2016
|
SEPT 2014 |
SEPT 2015 |
SEPT 2016 |
|
|
LUCAN |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
RONANSTOWN |
8 |
10 |
9 |
|
CLONDALKIN |
7 |
8 |
7 |