Tuesday, 29 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 405-416

Flood Relief Schemes Applications

Questions (405)

Shane Cassells

Question:

405. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the local authority or the private householder has responsibility for completing the application form for the minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, and attaching a detailed design of the proposed remedial works along with a costing for the proposed work, and for ensuring the remedial works they commission comply with planning legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37329/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.

The Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme is not a grant scheme for individual homeowners or private property owners. It is a scheme under which the OPW may provide funding assistance and support to local authorities to undertake viable, cost effective, localised and small scale flood relief works in their administrative areas. The maximum funding available for any one project under the scheme is €450,000. It is the local authority which must complete and submit the funding application form under the Scheme and, in doing so, must have carried out the necessary preparatory work and preliminary investigations and costings. While individual property owners may benefit from the works, the local authority must be the promoter and proposer of the project and will be fully responsible for the implementation of the works and ensuring that all relevant and necessary statutory consents are applied for and received. When funding is approved under the scheme, the progression of any works is the responsibility of the local authority.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (406)

David Cullinane

Question:

406. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether it is fair and equitable that retained fire fighters pay pension-related deductions under the same model as other public sector workers, despite the fact the pension benefits they accrue through serving in the fire service are significantly lower than their counterparts. [37494/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The public service Pension-Related Deduction (PRD) is provided for under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. PRD applies to the pay, including any non-pensionable pay elements, of pensionable public servants. Specifically, section 2(1)(b) of the Act provides that any public servant who is a member of a public service pension scheme or who is entitled to benefit under such a scheme or receives a payment in lieu of membership of such a scheme is subject to PRD. PRD is applied equally across all public servants liable to the deduction irrespective of the individual pension terms that apply to those public servants.

I understand from my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government that retained firefighters have historically qualified on retirement for a one-off, non-recurring gratuity calculated at one eighth of their annual retainer payment multiplied by the number of years of actual service, up to a maximum of four times the annual retainer. To qualify for the gratuity, a retained firefighter must have a minimum of two years' service. The maximum gratuity payable is four times the annual retainer and retained firefighters do not pay any contribution to that gratuity.

Retained firefighters in place in 2008 and those hired thereafter until the end of 2012 were given the option of joining the Local Government Superannuation Scheme and receiving a pension and retirement lump sum based on their pensionable remuneration and length of service. All retained firefighters appointed after 1 January 2013 must join the Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

The payment of the one-off gratuity at retirement to those retained firefighters who are not members of the Local Government Superannuation Scheme or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme constitutes a payment in lieu of pension scheme membership of the pension scheme and, as such, gives rise in principle to PRD exposure.

A gratuity arrangement of this kind, by way of payment in lieu of pension, is not unique to retained firefighters. It should also be noted that a significant amelioration of PRD is provided for under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015. This amelioration means that, from 1 January 2016, all persons with annual public service earnings of up to €26,083 are exempt from PRD, and from 1 January 2017, this exemption threshold will rise to €28,750.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (407)

David Cullinane

Question:

407. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the 2009 legislation does not provide for the application of a separate set of thresholds for individual employments but rather one set of thresholds for the totality of the public service remuneration in a given year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37497/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the public service Pension-Related Deduction (PRD), which applies to the pay of pensionable public servants under the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.

The exemption thresholds and rate bands for PRD have always applied to the total public service pay of affected public servants, not to the pay associated with individual posts. A minority of pensionable public servants may be employed in two public service posts simultaneously, for example holders of two part-time jobs in teaching or in the health sector. In any such case, it is fair and reasonable that the combined pay from both employments is subjected to PRD on a basis which gives a monetary outcome equal to what would arise if the person received the same pay from just a single post.

It should also be noted that all PRD-impacted public servant persons are benefitting from a significant PRD amelioration provided for under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015. This amelioration means that, from 1 January 2016, all persons with annual public service earnings of up to €26,083 are exempt from PRD, and from 1 January 2017 this exemption threshold will rise to €28,750.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (408)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

408. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the trial on lowering water levels in Lough Allen undertaken by the Shannon flood risk State agency co-ordination working group; if there are any legal or statutory impediments to such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37506/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

A decision was taken by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group on 18 October 2016 to trial the lowering of the lake levels in Lough Allen to help mitigate potential flood risk for this Winter.

From the analysis completed, this may have a small positive impact on the extent of certain flood events that might occur during a Winter.

A number of meetings and contacts have taken place between the ESB, Waterways Ireland and the OPW over the past weeks to consider the requirements and potential implications of lowering late Autumn and Winter minimum lake levels in Lough Allen by approximately 0.7m. A key consideration in this process has been to ensure that any additional flows released out of Lough Allen, which would be required to draw levels in the Lough down to a lower level, must not cause flooding downstream of Lough Allen.

A protocol has been developed and is currently being finalised for the operation of the Bellantra Sluices at the outlet of Lough Allen to reduce the levels in the Lough over this winter.

I am happy to say that the testing of the new regime has already begun, and the levels in the Lough were reduced to the new, lower minimum level in October this year, with releases having been made since then as and when possible to try and maintain this level.

While the impact of this initiative may be quite small, this demonstrates the continued commitment of the agencies to work in a coordinated way to explore all measures that may benefit the communities along the River Shannon.

Departmental Reports

Questions (409)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

409. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reports commissioned by his Department since 2006 which while completed or are in final draft form but have not been published; the reason they have not been published; the expected publication date; the cost to date of each such report; if tenders were invited; if it is not intended to publish any such report the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37553/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question, the table provides details of the reports commissioned by my Department since it was established in 2011 that have not been published.

Name of report	Reason why report has not been published to date	Expected publication date	Costs to date	Were tenders invited?	Reason why publication is not intended
Comparative Report on European  National Identification Numbers	Publication pending the completion of the work of the PPSN Review Group	Not available	€37,500	Yes	Publication is pending the completion of the work of the PPSN Review Group
IPA - A critical review of the applicability of the performance related remuneration approach to the Irish Public Service	Report is at final stage of drafting.	Finalised report expected in December	None	A request for a quote issued directly to provider, in accordance with procurement procedures where research services provider is another public body	Decision in respect of publication will be made on receipt of final report.
Civil Service Disciplinary Code Review (action identified under Civil Service Renewal Plan	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€23,985	Yes	Report into internal civil service procedures- delivered by Clarion in May 2015.
Civil Service Disciplinary Code Review (action identified under Civil Service Renewal Plan)	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€30,750	Yes	Legal review of internal civil service procedures- delivered by Byrne Wallace in March 2015
Business case to deliver a new shared service model to deliver learning and development for the Civil Service external expert advice sought to assess the costs, benefits, risks and implications associated to the components elements of the new model	New Civil Service Learning and Development model is still at project status. The considerations from the business case are still being evaluated.	N/A	€106,063	Yes	The nature of this report was to inform a new internal approach to the development of Civil Service staff and it was not commissioned with a view to publishing.
IT Capability Maturity Framework (IT-CMF)	Not for publication internal report only	November 2012	€30,750	Yes	Internal Report to inform the Public Service ICT Strategy
Baseline Research 2015 Usage, Resourcing and costs of ICT across selected Public Service Bodies	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€148,780	Yes	Internal Report to inform the Public Service ICT Strategy
Develop and agree a service delivery model for Government ICT Shared Services	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€339,188	Yes	Internal Report to inform the Public Service ICT Strategy
Appropriate HR Model for OGP	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€17,589	Yes	Internal report
OGP Training & Organisation Development	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€28,167	Yes	Internal report
OGP ICT Category Strategies (8 in total)	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€188,190	Yes	Internal report
eInvoicing Scoping Project Report	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€160,327	Yes	Internal report
Economic Assessment of Issues Raised in Relation to the Tendering Process for the Supply of Printing Devices	Report commissioned for and used in court proceedings	N/A	€37,957	No	Report submitted to court as intended
OGP Audit of Methodologies for 2013 Spend Data Analysis	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€13,550	Yes	Internal report
eCatalogue Readiness Assessment Report	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€17,500	Yes	Internal report
Strategic Market Assessment (Pharmaceutical)	Not for publication internal report only	N/A	€880,793	Yes	Internal report

Departmental Contracts

Questions (410)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

410. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department, or the agencies that report to it, entered any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with any organisation due to court action or threatened court action; and, if so, the persons or groups with which these agreements exist. [37633/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy's question, neither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis have entered into any non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements with any organisations due to a court action or threatened court action.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (411)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

411. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the frequency that Government agency and Department contracts for taxi services are required to be renewed or reviewed; the regulations and guidelines his Department provides on such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37680/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The regulations which govern the procurement of taxi services by Government Bodies are contained in Statutory Instrument 284 of 2016.  Regulation 33(2) states that "the term of a framework agreement shall not exceed 4 years, other than in exceptional cases".

The Office of Government Procurement established a Framework Agreement for taxi services in the Greater Dublin Area, which commenced on April 1st 2015.  The Framework was established for an initial period of one year, renewable annually at the discretion of the Contracting Authority to a maximum duration of 4 years.  The Framework was subsequently extended by one year from April 1st 2016.  A decision has not been finalised in regard to the possibility of a further extension from April 1st 2017.  The OGP, prior to publishing a tender for taxi services to replace the existing Framework, will engage with market operators to ensure that any future tender competitions are appropriate to the market.

Ministerial Advisers Appointments

Questions (412)

Gerry Adams

Question:

412. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the appointment of additional special advisers by him and Ministers of State in his Department. [37893/16]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The appointment of all Special Advisers in my Department are made in accordance with the instructions to Personnel Officers "Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil". I intend to bring a memo to cabinet in due course to allow for the appointment of a special adviser to Min of State Murphy to assist him in his duties, particularly in relation to Brexit and policy challenges it poses across Government.

Post Office Network

Questions (413)

Brendan Smith

Question:

413. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if further consideration will be given to the proposals to enable post offices to provide additional services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36929/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices. These include recommendations in relation to the renewal of the post office network, the development of a basic payment account, the provision of motor tax services, and the creation of hubs around which local economic and social activity could revolve. The report also recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.

The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the recommendations, including through the establishment of a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently chaired by Mr Bobby Kerr. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of post offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees. I anticipate that this work will conclude in the next couple of weeks.

I have separately established the Post Office Hub Working Group to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas. I have chaired a number of meetings of this group since July. The Group has concluded its deliberations and is currently finalising its report. In addition, my officials have been examining the potential for the post offices to deliver other services, including motor tax and financial services.

I intend to report to Government on these matters in the coming weeks.

Departmental Funding

Questions (414)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

414. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the rationale for the allocation of €2.175 million for the building of a centre (details supplied); her views on whether the allocation of funds represents good value for money; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37715/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The project to which the Deputy refers is a project being promoted by a local authority.  In July 2015, my Department received a formal request for a grant from the local authority in question. In February 2016, my Department offered a capital grant in principle to the local authority of up to €2 million as a contribution towards the cost of construction of the building. The offer is subject to the standard conditions that apply to all capital grants and these must be met in advance of payment of the grant.  Under the provisions of the Public Spending Code, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the onus to ensure compliance with the Code, including obtaining value for money, falls in the first instance on the project promoter, in this case the local authority. I can assure the Deputy that my requirements of the Code before releasing any funding.

Departmental Funding

Questions (415)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

415. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding available in 2017 for the development of new walking routes; the method by which this will be disbursed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36890/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My Department administers the Walks Scheme, under which landholders receive modest payments to maintain sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands.

A total of 39 trails are currently covered by the scheme, and the number of participants receiving payments under the scheme currently stands at 1,912.

Payments in 2016 to participants who maintain sections of trail that traverse their lands will be in the region of €1.8 million. These payments are disbursed through the Local Development Company network.

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to double the number of walks and to increase the number of walks covered by the Walks Scheme. My officials will be working towards this objective in 2017. However, due to the consultations required with landholders, the significant increase in the number of walks covered by the scheme is more likely to come to fruition in 2018. I would, therefore, anticipate that the funding required in 2017 will be in the order of €2 million.

Scéimeanna Teanga

Questions (416)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

416. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil plean teanga aontaithe ag a Roinn leis an Údarás Rialála Carthanas; mura bhfuil, cén fáth nach bhfuil, go mór mór nuair a chuirtear san áireamh nach féidir le carthanais clárú leis an údarás i nGaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [36894/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Eisíodh litir faoi alt 11d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigula 2003 chuig An Rialálaí Carthanas ag iarraidh go n-ullmhófaí dréachtscéim teanga agus go gcuirfear ar aghaidh í le daingniú faoin 15 Nollaig 2015. Cé nach bhfuil an scéim teanga daingnithe fós, comhairlítear dom go bhfuil iarrachtaí maithe á ndéanamh ag an Údarás chun seirbhísí Gaeilge a chur ar fáil don phobal. Tá obair sa treis idir oifigigh mo Roinne agus oifigigh an Údaráis agus tá an cheist faoi chlárúcháin i nGaeilge nótáilte sa chomhthéacs sin. Tá mé dóchasch go mbeidh dréachtscéim á cur faoi mo bhráid le daingniú go luath an bhliain seo chugainn.