Thursday, 4 May 2017

Written Answers Nos. 149-158

Public Sector Pay

Questions (149)

David Cullinane

Question:

149. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to restore the public service to a single tier pay structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21243/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

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 and as a response to the serious fiscal position presenting at that time.  

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 Departments 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 flexibility 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 (150)

David Cullinane

Question:

150. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of restoring the public sector to a single tier pay structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21244/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer the Deputy to my answer to PQ Ref: 10498/17 on the 2nd March 2017.

Lansdowne Road Agreement

Questions (151, 154)

David Cullinane

Question:

151. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the principles which will underpin any new pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21245/17]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

154. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements in place for pay restoration for public servants following the Lansdowne Road Agreement; his plans to ensure full pay restoration; the timeframe for achieving this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21331/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 151 and 154 together.

The Public Service Pay Commission has been tasked with providing an initial report to Government on public service remuneration in the context of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2015. The findings of the Commission will contribute to and inform Government's considerations in relation to Public Service remuneration and will inform Public Service employers in negotiations with staff interests on an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The Commission is expected to report shortly and following consideration by Government, the report will be published.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Questions (152, 153)

David Cullinane

Question:

152. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of pay restoration available to public sector workers in each of the years 2016 to 2019, broken down in bands (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21246/17]

David Cullinane

Question:

153. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of pay restoration available to public sector workers earning in excess of €65,001 in each of the years 2016 to 2019, broken down in bands of €5,000, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21247/17]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.

I have arranged for the information sought to be made available to the Deputy in the table.

Lansdowne Road Benefits

							2016	-	-	2017	-	-	2018	-	2019	-	-	-
Pre LRA (2015) Remuneration	Pre Emergency Remuneration	FEMPI Pay Reduction	FEMPI Pay Reduction % of Pre Emergency Remuneration	FEMPI PRD Reduction	Total FEMPI Reduction Pay + PRD	Total FEMPI Reduction % of Pre Emergency Remuneration	2016 Pay Benefit	2016 Effective PRD Benefit	2016 Total Benefit % of 2015 Salary	2017 Pay Benefit	2017 Effective PRD Benefit	2017 Total Benefit % of 2015 Salary	2018 Pay Benefit	2018 Total Benefit % of 2015 Salary	2019 Benefit	2019 Total Benefit % of 2015 Salary	Total Pay Benefit % of Pre LRA Remuneration	LRA FEMPI Restoration % of Total FEMPI Reduction
20,000	21,053	- 1,053	-5%	- 125	- 1,178	-6%	500	125	3.1%	667		3.3%	333	1.7%			8%	138%
25,000	26,316	- 1,316	-5%	- 625	- 1,941	-7%	250	592	3.4%	667	33	2.8%	333	1.3%			8%	97%
30,000	31,622	- 1,622	-5%	- 1,125	- 2,747	-9%	300	703	3.3%	667	234	3.0%	333	1.1%			7%	81%
35,000	37,027	- 2,027	-5%	- 1,625	- 3,652	-10%		733	2.1%	667	234	2.6%	333	1.0%			6%	54%
40,000	42,432	- 2,432	-6%	- 2,125	- 4,557	-11%		733	1.8%	667	234	2.3%	333	0.8%			5%	43%
45,000	47,838	- 2,838	-6%	- 2,625	- 5,463	-11%		733	1.6%	667	234	2.0%	333	0.7%			4%	36%
50,000	53,243	- 3,243	-6%	- 3,125	- 6,368	-12%		733	1.5%	667	234	1.8%	333	0.7%			4%	31%
55,000	58,649	- 3,649	-6%	- 3,625	- 7,274	-12%		733	1.3%	667	234	1.6%	333	0.6%			4%	27%
60,000	64,054	- 4,054	-6%	- 4,125	- 8,179	-13%		733	1.2%	667	232	1.5%	333	0.6%			3%	24%
65,000	73,648	- 8,648	-12%	- 4,650	- 13,298	-18%		733	1.1%	1,419	118	2.4%	2,364	3.6%			7%	35%
70,000	79,527	- 9,527	-12%	- 5,175	- 14,702	-18%		733	1.0%	1,528	106	2.3%	2,546	3.6%			7%	33%
75,000	85,406	- 10,406	-12%	- 5,700	- 16,106	-19%		733	1.0%	1,637	95	2.3%	2,728	3.6%			7%	32%
80,000	91,426	- 11,426	-12%	- 6,225	- 17,651	-19%		733	0.9%	1,793	78	2.3%	2,989	3.7%			7%	32%
85,000	97,463	- 12,463	-13%	- 6,750	- 19,213	-20%		733	0.9%	1,957	61	2.4%	3,261	3.8%			7%	31%
90,000	103,502	- 13,502	-13%	- 7,275	- 20,777	-20%		733	0.8%	2,120	44	2.4%	3,533	3.9%			7%	31%
95,000	109,541	- 14,541	-13%	- 7,800	- 22,341	-20%		733	0.8%	2,283	27	2.4%	3,804	4.0%			7%	31%
100,000	115,580	- 15,580	-13%	- 8,325	- 23,905	-21%		733	0.7%	2,446	10	2.5%	4,076	4.1%			7%	30%
105,000	121,619	- 16,619	-14%	- 8,850	- 25,469	-21%		733	0.7%	2,609	-7	2.5%	4,348	4.1%			7%	30%
110,000	127,599	- 17,599	-14%	- 9,375	- 26,974	-21%		733	0.7%	2,772	-24	2.5%	4,620	4.2%			7%	30%
115,000	133,507	- 18,507	-14%	- 9,900	- 28,407	-21%		733	0.6%	1,957	61	1.8%	2,609	2.3%	2,609	2.3%	7%	28%
120,000	139,414	- 19,414	-14%	- 10,425	- 29,839	-21%		733	0.6%	2,065	50	1.8%	2,754	2.3%	2,754	2.3%	7%	28%
125,000	145,322	- 20,322	-14%	- 10,950	- 31,272	-22%		733	0.6%	2,174	38	1.8%	2,899	2.3%	2,899	2.3%	7%	28%
130,000	151,228	- 21,228	-14%	- 11,475	- 32,703	-22%		733	0.6%	2,283	27	1.8%	3,043	2.3%	3,043	2.3%	7%	28%
135,000	157,136	- 22,136	-14%	- 12,000	- 34,136	-22%		733	0.5%	2,391	16	1.8%	3,188	2.4%	3,188	2.4%	7%	28%
140,000	163,043	- 23,043	-14%	- 12,525	- 35,568	-22%		733	0.5%	2,500	4	1.8%	3,333	2.4%	3,333	2.4%	7%	28%
145,000	176,699	- 31,699	-18%	- 13,050	- 44,749	-25%		733	0.5%	2,624	-9	1.8%	3,498	2.4%	3,498	2.4%	7%	23%
150,000	182,942	- 32,942	-18%	- 13,575	- 46,517	-25%		733	0.5%	2,747	-22	1.8%	3,663	2.4%	3,663	2.4%	7%	23%
155,000	189,186	- 34,186	-18%	- 14,100	- 48,286	-26%		733	0.5%	2,871	-35	1.8%	3,828	2.5%	3,828	2.5%	7%	23%
160,000	195,430	- 35,430	-18%	- 14,625	- 50,055	-26%		733	0.5%	2,995	-48	1.8%	3,993	2.5%	3,993	2.5%	7%	23%
165,000	208,791	- 43,791	-21%	- 15,150	- 58,941	-28%		733	0.4%	3,118	-61	1.9%	4,158	2.5%	4,158	2.5%	7%	21%
170,000	215,255	- 45,255	-21%	- 15,675	- 60,930	-28%		733	0.4%	3,242	-74	1.9%	4,322	2.5%	4,322	2.5%	7%	21%
175,000	221,765	- 46,765	-21%	- 16,200	- 62,965	-28%		733	0.4%	3,375	-88	1.9%	4,500	2.6%	4,500	2.6%	7%	21%
180,000	228,301	- 48,301	-21%	- 16,725	- 65,026	-28%		733	0.4%	3,514	-102	1.9%	4,685	2.6%	4,685	2.6%	8%	21%
185,000	234,837	- 49,837	-21%	- 17,250	- 67,087	-29%		733	0.4%	3,653	-117	1.9%	4,870	2.6%	4,870	2.6%	8%	21%

Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 151.

Western Development Commission

Questions (155)

Joan Burton

Question:

155. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on whether the full potential of the Western Development Commission has been harnessed in the past and is being harnessed at present; her plans to provide supports to fully develop the commission's potential; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20345/17]

Written answers

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

The Western Development Commission was established in 1999 to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, defined as the counties of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare. While the Commission has achieved a lot since its establishment, there have also been a number of new important policy and operational developments in relation to regional development in recent years, including the introduction of the Regional Action Plan for Jobs process and the provision of a statutory role for the Local Authorities and the Regional Assemblies in economic development.

A Programme for a Partnership Government includes a specific commitment to reinforce the role of the WDC so that it can continue to play an important part, in light of these developments, in the Government’s efforts to achieve more effective regional development across the country.

In this context, the WDC has been involved in an increasing number of initiatives, some of which go beyond the role the body has played to date, and which can develop its potential further.

For example:

- The WDC is represented on the Implementing Committees which oversee the delivery of the Action Plans for Jobs for the West and North-West regions.

- The body is also represented on the Monitoring Committee for the Action Plan for Rural Development which is chaired by Minister Humphreys. The WDC is assisting my Department, as part of a sub-group of the Monitoring Committee, in developing indicators to measure the impact of the Action Plan on rural communities.

- The Commission is also represented on a new Taskforce which I established in March to progress the concept of an Atlantic Economic Corridor along the western seaboard. The WDC is involved in a sub-group of the Taskforce which is mapping out the options for EU funding which could support the development of the Western region.

- The WDC has also assisted my Department by participating in, and reporting on, a public Dialogue on the implications of Brexit for areas such as rural communities, regional SMEs, culture, the Irish language, and heritage and outdoor recreation.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with the WDC and draw on its expertise and potential to support regional economic and social development, particularly in the Western region.

Arts Funding

Questions (156)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

156. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on increased investment in arts funding for children and young persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21297/17]

Written answers

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

The Creative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched in December, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children -to enable every child in Ireland to access tuition in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. My Department officials continue to work with relevant Departments and other stakeholders to develop this plan with a launch timeframe of early Autumn 2017. The Creative Children plan will build on work to date in implementing the Arts in Education Charter where my Department continues to work closely with the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Youth and Children Affairs and the Arts Council to deliver the key objectives of the Charter within the wider context now of the Creative Ireland Programme.

The objectives of the Charter have been achieved largely through existing structures such as education centres. Good progress has been made to date in terms of launching Ireland’s first Arts in Education Portal, holding National Arts and Education Days and developing Teacher Artist Partnerships through the Education and Training Centres. Indeed, I look forward to attending the next National Arts Day, this Saturday 6th May, in St Patrick's College DCU, Drumcondra.

It should be noted that under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In Budget 2017, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation in 2017 of €5m, or 8%, and will assist the Council in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025). This strategy places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people.

These initiatives demonstrate the overall commitment of Government to deliver for children as we work in finalising the Creative Children plan

Arts Council

Questions (157, 158)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

157. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of staff in the young person, children and education department of the Arts Council in the years 2007, 2012 and to date in 2017 respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21298/17]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

158. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of whole time equivalent staff in the units within the Arts Council (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21299/17]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

The Arts Council has a current staff of 42.5 full- time equivalents.

A list of contact details for Arts Council staff and advisers under the various artforms and cross artform practices can be accessed on its website at the following link: http://www.artscouncil.ie/Contact-us/Staff-and-adviser-lists/.

Details of staffing for previous years can be found in the Annual Reports available on the website of the Council at www.artscouncil.ie and at the following link http://www.artscouncil.ie/publications/?&Category=Annual%20reports.