Wednesday, 1 Mar 2017

Written Answers Nos. 229-239

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (229)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

229. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the work will be completed on the flood prevention work on City Quay, Dublin 2. [10556/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The South Campshires Flood Protection Project started construction in November, 2014. These works are ongoing on the south quays of the River Liffey and are due to be substantially completed at the end of Q3 2017. The works extend from Butt Bridge, at the upstream extent, to a point 130 metres downstream of Samuel Beckett Bridge at the downstream extent - a distance of approximately 1,050 metres.

The scheme, when completed, will protect a large flood cell with significant business, retail and densely populated residential areas.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Questions (230)

Joan Burton

Question:

230. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has formally approved funding for the lower Morrell river flood relief scheme in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10631/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Seán Canney)

The Lower Morrell River flood relief scheme is being progressed by Kildare County Council (KCC) as the Contracting Authority for the scheme with funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

I am advised that KCC and its consultants are currently finalising the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and detailed design of the scheme which includes liaising with the various landowners/stakeholders who will be impacted by the proposed works. It is envisaged that the scheme will be submitted for planning approval in the first half of 2017. Funding arrangements to proceed with the scheme will be agreed by OPW and KCC in advance of the scheme being submitted for planning approval.

It is not possible to indicate when exactly works can be commenced until the scheme has been advanced through the planning process by the Council as outlined above. It is hoped that works could commence before the end of 2017 dependent on planning approval being received. I can confirm that the Lower Morrell Scheme remains a priority and the OPW has included provision for the cost of the proposed works in its financial profiles in the period up to 2020.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (231)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

231. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress being made towards the finishing of FEMPI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10640/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

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

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.  In addition, the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) is being significantly reversed in three stages under FEMPI 2015, via substantial restoration of the PSPR cuts on 1 January 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018.  The cost of these PSPR changes is estimated at about €90 million on a full-year basis from 2018.

This year's Annual Review will be informed by the Public Service Pay Commission which has been asked to provide input on how the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest legislation should proceed.  This will inform any future engagement with staff representatives on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement that is both sustainable and affordable.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (232)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

232. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason this Deputy has not received a full reply to a letter of 15 June 2016 (details supplied) in relation to the draining of the Dunkellin river; the number of other pieces of correspondence dating from that date or before that have not yet been responded to by the Office of Public Works; the policy of his Department in relation to replying to correspondence from Members of the Oireachtas; if a speedy response with substantive replies to the public and public representatives is part of the reform of public services for which his Department was formed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10735/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I am advised by my officials in OPW that the delay in issuing a substantive response to the Deputy’s letter dated the 15th of June 2016 in relation to the Dunkellin flood relief scheme is regretted and was due to an oversight on the part of the Flood Risk Management Section which had responsibility of drafting a reply to the query in question. This area of the Office receives a very high number of representations which it endeavours to answer as quickly as possible but the high number of representations may have contributed to the correspondence being overlooked on this occasion. A substantive reply to the correspondence will issue in the next few days.

I have asked my officials in OPW to ensure that, into the future, every effort is made to respond to representations and correspondence in general in a timely manner and as detailed in OPW’s Customer Action Plan 2017-2019. As part of the plan which is due for publication in the coming weeks OPW sets out the following standards in relation to correspondence:

- Acknowledge all written enquiries and non-routine correspondence within one week of receipt;

- Aim to provide a more comprehensive reply to at least 95% of such correspondence within 20 working days;

- Use clear and simple language and keep technical/official terms and acronyms to a minimum;

- On request, provide you with a contact name, telephone number, fax number, email address and where applicable, a reference or file number;

- Send any correspondence received by us which is a matter for another Department or Agency to them immediately, and notify you of this course of action;

- Ensure that correspondence is answered in whichever of the official languages it is received.

OPW has also included these standards in their Customer Charter which is a short statement describing the levels of service customers can expect when dealing with OPW.

Hedge Cutting Season

Questions (233)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

233. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when legislation on the time for burning will be completed; and if the time will be extended to 31 March 2017, in view of wet and damp weather prevailing, as further delays will lead to overgrowth and risk of fire spreading in future years. [10595/17]

Written answers

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

Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts 1976, as amended, prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August.

Following a review of Section 40, which involved, inter alia, consideration of submissions from interested parties, I announced proposals in December 2015 to introduce legislation to allow for managed hedge cutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot two year basis. The legislation required to allow for these pilot measures is included in the Heritage Bill 2016, which was published in January 2016. The Bill is currently at Committee Stage in Seanad Éireann. In the meantime, the existing provisions relating to Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts remain in force.

Leader Programmes Data

Questions (234)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

234. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the spend in 2017 under the Leader programme, broken down between projects, administration and animation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10710/17]

Written answers

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

Expenditure to date in 2017 under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme amounts to €689,201. This is a combined amount for administration and animation costs incurred by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme. Up to 25% of total expenditure incurred by the LAGs over the duration of the programme may be claimed in respect of administration and animation costs. My Department also made a payment of €15,413 in January 2017 in respect of a project completed in December 2016 which was approved under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme.

No project expenditure has yet been incurred under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme in 2017. However, the LAGs are currently concluding calls for proposals and are working with potential applicants to develop and finalise project applications in each LEADER sub-regional area. I anticipate a significant increase in project approvals and payments over the coming months.

A total of €40 million has been provided in my Department’s Estimate for the LEADER programme this year.

Foreshore Licence Applications

Questions (235, 236)

Noel Grealish

Question:

235. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has satisfied herself that the consideration and advice supplied by her Department in a foreshore lease application (details supplied) meets statutory obligations with regard to the implementation of environmental EU and national laws, in view of the fact that 555 members of the public made submissions, the vast majority expressing serious concerns regarding non-compliance with environmental legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10723/17]

Catherine Connolly

Question:

236. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has satisfied herself that the consideration and advice supplied by her Department in respect of foreshore lease application (details supplied) meets the statutory obligations with regard to the implementation of environmental EU and national laws, in view of the serious concerns regarding non-compliance with environmental legislation expressed by 555 public submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10761/17]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.

Under the Foreshore Act, 1933, a decision in relation to the lease of foreshore in this instance is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

In accordance with Regulation 27 of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 (2011 Regulations) it is a matter for that Minister to exercise his functions in compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive and the 2011 Regulations.

The regulations make it clear that the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs shall not undertake the responsibilities of other public authorities, including Ministers, in this regard.

My Department through its National Parks and Wildlife Service provided observations on the application, and I am satisfied that they were appropriate.

My Department noted that the construction and operation of the site is unlikely to have a negative interaction with Natura 2000 nature conservation sites due to the nature and location of the works, but set out a number of mitigation measures that should be required to avoid any negative interaction with protected marine mammals, including provision for further consideration of devices which might be deployed in the future.

I am satisfied that the observations made by my Department meets our statutory obligations.

Environmental Regulations

Questions (237)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

237. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has been in contact with the Department and Minister of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government regarding concerns conveyed to her Department by the public over the past number of months regarding possible non-compliance with national and EU environmental legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10762/17]

Written answers

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

My Department maintains frequent contact with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in regard to environmental matters, including the provision of advice on matters where I, as Minister, am a statutory consultee.

This contact can and does include matters which are the subject of communications from members of the public which may relate to areas which are the responsibility of other Departments.

Íocaíochtaí Deontas

Questions (238)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

238. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici deontas a cheadú d’iris (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10765/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Mar a chuir mé in iúl i mo fhreagra ar cheist Dála 779 ar 17 Eanáir 2017, tuigtear dom nach bhfuil aon iarratas foirmeálta ar láimh ag mo Roinn nó ag Foras na Gaeilge ar chúnamh deontais don bhfoilseachán ‘An Timire’. Baineann saincheisteanna maidir le hirisí Gaeilge le gnóthaí oibríochtúla Fhoras na Gaeilge agus níl ról sonrach agam féin mar Aire ina leith. Cuireann Foras na Gaeilge maoiniú ar fáil i leith foilseachán i gcomhréir lena ról reachtúil chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus, sa chomhthéacs sin, bhí siad ag cur maoiniú bliantúil ar fáil don bhfoilseachán 'An Timire' suas go dtí Meitheamh 2015 nuair a tháinig straitéis nua léitheoireachta na heagraíochta i bhfeidhm.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Questions (239)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which speech and language therapy continues to be available to pupils with a specific requirement in Kildare North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10755/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.