Written Answers Nos. 304 - 321
304. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the nature of the deviation allowed following the change in the European Commission's budgetary rules (details supplied); the effect this change will have on public capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22733/17]
View answerThe Deputy should note that the flexibility referred to in his question has in fact been in place since detailed guidance was issued by the Commission in January 2015 to encourage effective implementation of structural reforms that have an upfront budgetary cost in a manner consistent with the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). For example, the relevant clause, is discussed in detail in the March 2016 edition of the Vade Mecum on the SGP.
The operation and interpretation of the EU Fiscal Rules is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance. The Minister, in his response to Parliamentary Question No 26 of 29 September 2016 (http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2016092900046) stated that as far as seeking greater flexibility in the fiscal rules for expenditure on capital investment, Ireland has not yet been in a position to apply in light of the strict conditions governing the application of the relevant provisions of the SGP and given where we are in the business cycle but that the situation is kept under constant review by his officials.
Following the publication of Ireland’s Stability Programme Update (http://www.finance.gov.ie/what-we-do/economic-policy/publications/draft-stability-programme-update-2017), and in light of the recent European Commission Spring Forecasts (https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/economic-performance-and-forecasts/economic-forecasts/spring-2017-economic-forecast_en ), I understand that the Department of Finance is currently compiling its revised projections for the overall fiscal framework that will govern current and capital spending for the period to 2021 for publication in the Summer Economic Statement in June of this year.
As far as current public capital investment plans are concerned, the Deputy is no doubt aware of the scale of the Government’s commitment to this area under the €42 billion Capital Plan, €27 billion of which is funded by the Exchequer over the period 2016-2021. This substantial investment has been supplemented by a further €5.14 billion, the full allocation of which is being examined by the ongoing Capital Review. Consequently, gross voted capital expenditure will grow from around €4.2 billion in 2016 to almost €7.3 billion in 2021, an increase of almost three-quarters in public capital investment in just five years. This substantial increase has been achieved through the prudent and responsible approach to fiscal policy which continues to be taken by this Government which has been the linchpin of Ireland’s economic recovery. Indeed the Commission’s recent forecasts confirm that Ireland is yet again projected to be the fastest growing economy in the EU.
305. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the transfer of ownership of publicly funded assets (details supplied) to non-public bodies such as charities, religious orders, corporate bodies and so on complies with his Department's value for money and policy review initiative guidance manual and its aim as part of the framework introduced to secure improved value for money from public expenditure and the need to safeguard public assets funded by the taxpayer. [22875/17]
View answer306. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the transfer of ownership of publicly funded assets to non-public bodies such as charities, religious orders, corporate bodies and so on; and his further plans to seek either the return of all such assets or full value in consideration for the transfer of such assets. [22876/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
The transfer of ownership of publicly funded assets to non-public bodies should be conducted in accordance with State Property Circulars 11/2015 Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets and 17/2016 Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property.
The general approach to the management of assets, including property, held by the State and its agencies is that it is the responsibility of the individual Department or agency to optimise value for money for the State.
The Public Spending Code supersedes the Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative Guidance Manual. The Public Spending Code is the comprehensive set of expenditure appraisal and value for money requirements and related guidance covering all public expenditure and economic appraisal and evaluation techniques. All Government Departments, public bodies and all bodies in receipt of public funding must comply, as appropriate, with the relevant requirements of the Public Spending Code.
The general rule as set out in Public Financial Procedures is that Departments are required to have asset management systems in place which ensure that assets are acquired only when needed, are adequately controlled and maintained, are properly safeguarded and disposed of, and that utilisation is monitored.
It is important to note that while my Department sets out the value for money rules and guidance through the Public Spending Code and Public Financial Procedures, the transfer or disposal of a specific state asset is the responsibility of the relevant Minister and Department in the first instance.
307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans and the timeframe to simplify public access to online CFRAM extent and risk maps in view of the fact that, increasingly, insurance companies require persons to submit copies of such maps as evidence with applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23200/17]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland are developing Flood Maps as part of the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme and in accordance with the requirements set out in the EU Floods Directive (2007/60/EC). The CFRAM Programme is focusing on 300 areas - called Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) - that were designated in 2012 as being potentially significant risk from flooding.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) through its Engineering Consultants over the past number of years, and working with Local Authorities, embarked on extensive and detailed analysis to understand the risk of flooding in each of these areas. Developing these flood maps has also involved extensive public consultation that has provided a great deal of local knowledge.
The flood maps are community based maps and provide a useful resource for planning and emergency response. They also provide the level of flood risk for an area for the OPW to develop feasible flood relief measures. The draft measures for these 300 areas were published in the 29 draft Flood Risk Management Plans, for public consultation last year.
The OPW Flood Maps are therefore intended for planning purposes and are not maps that designate individual properties as being at risk from flooding. Draft flood maps which are available on the OPW website https://maps.opw.ie/ were published for the purpose of consultation and cannot be used for commercial purposes.
The OPW is over the coming months finalising the Flood Risk Management Plans, that will include the final Flood Maps for the 300 AFAs and will be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval. The OPW is currently enhancing its website to support the publication of the final maps and Flood Risk Management Plans.
In order to assist insurance companies assess the risk and take into account the protection provided by completed OPW flood defence schemes, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. This Memorandum sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas. To date OPW has provided details to Insurance Ireland on 17 completed schemes nationally and Insurance Ireland has advised that flood insurance cover is included in 83% of policies in these defended areas. The OPW has recently provided details on a further completed scheme to Insurance Ireland.
The decision on whether to offer insurance, level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis.
The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk to individual properties and it has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW Flood Maps to inform its flood modelling.
Any person with an insurance-related query or complaint can contact Insurance Ireland's Insurance Information Service (01 676 1914 or iis@insuranceireland.eu). In addition, the Financial Services Ombudsman (1890 88 20 90) deals independently with unresolved complaints from consumers about their individual dealings with all financial service providers.
308. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has received a request for additional funding for a project (details supplied) in Cork city in addition to the €12 million already committed by the Government; the process for assessing such funding requests; the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22684/17]
View answerAt the outset, the Deputy may wish to note a review of the Capital Plan is currently ongoing. In this regard it is a matter for each Department, in the first instance, to examine the case for the provision of additional Exchequer resources to any proposed capital project - consistent with the value-for-money requirements set out in the Public Spending Code - and to consider whether the relevant project should comprise one of the Department's priorities for public capital investment advised to my Department in light of the additional capital resources to be allocated by Government on the basis of the outcome of the review.
I understand that the specific project referred to in the Deputy's question relates to the sectoral responsibilities of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (D/AHRRGA) and it is a matter for that Department to further assess the proposed project in terms of any request for additional funding, in the first instance and to then seek this Department’s approval - in the context of the review of the Capital Plan.
It is expected that the review process will be completed in Quarter 3 of 2017, to enable the Government to make final decisions in due course on how the additional capital funding available should be allocated across priority areas for investment.
309. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons in receipt of a public service pension in each gross pension income band (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22734/17]
View answerBased on data available to my Department, the following table sets out the estimated distribution at end-2015 of public service pensions in the bands specified in the Deputy's question. It should be noted that the pension values are those payable before the application, where arising, of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR).
This end-2015 public service pension distribution is based on data supplied to my Department by public service pension paying authorities in connection with the valuation of the State’s total accrued retirement benefit liability in respect of public service pensions as at 31 December 2015, which is required under EU Regulation 549 / 2013 and which is currently being undertaken by my Department. This is the most up to date information available to this department.
While not directly comparable, an estimated pension distribution position for 2016 based on data collected in 2012/2013, can be found in Question No. 507 of 19 July last.
Similar end-year pension information which would enable the compilation of equivalent pension distribution tables for the other years specified in the Deputy's question is not available to my Department.
|
Pension Bands |
- |
End 2015 Gross Numbers |
|
From |
To |
Estimated Number of Pensions in Payment |
|
€0 |
€1,999 |
13,851 |
|
€2,000 |
€3,999 |
13,889 |
|
€4,000 |
€5,999 |
10,160 |
|
€6,000 |
€7,999 |
7,629 |
|
€8,000 |
€9,999 |
5,745 |
|
€10,000 |
€11,999 |
5,228 |
|
€12,000 |
€13,999 |
5,732 |
|
€14,000 |
€15,999 |
7,758 |
|
€16,000 |
€17,999 |
6,538 |
|
€18,000 |
€19,999 |
6,309 |
|
€20,000 |
€21,999 |
5,189 |
|
€22,000 |
€23,999 |
5,283 |
|
€24,000 |
€25,999 |
5,110 |
|
€26,000 |
€27,999 |
4,576 |
|
€28,000 |
€29,999 |
5,936 |
|
€30,000 |
€31,999 |
8,412 |
|
€32,000 |
€33,999 |
6,952 |
|
€34,000 |
€35,999 |
6,194 |
|
€36,000 |
€37,999 |
5,373 |
|
€38,000 |
€39,999 |
4,739 |
|
€40,000 |
€44,999 |
5,889 |
|
€45,000 |
€49,999 |
3,430 |
|
€50,000 |
€54,999 |
1,744 |
|
€55,000 |
€59,999 |
1,307 |
|
€60,000 |
€64,999 |
449 |
|
€65,000 |
€69,999 |
248 |
|
€70,000 |
€79,999 |
679 |
|
€80,000 |
€89,999 |
263 |
|
€90,000 |
€99,999 |
268 |
|
€100,000 |
+ |
554 |
310. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of whole-time equivalent public sector workers in each gross income band (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22735/17]
View answerThe data sought by the Deputy is not available to my Department. The closest data currently available within the Department to that sought by the Deputy is the estimated breakdown of employee numbers on a whole time equivalent basis by salary range within the public service from 2012 to 2016 and is set out in the Table.
|
- |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
€ |
WTE* |
WTE* |
WTE* |
WTE* |
WTE* |
|
0 to 30,000 |
52,000 |
43,200 |
41,200 |
38,200 |
35,484 |
|
30,000 to 40,000 |
78,500 |
74,600 |
76,200 |
77,700 |
88,243 |
|
40,000 to 50,000 |
69,000 |
74,500 |
74,300 |
72,800 |
77,544 |
|
50,000 to 60,000 |
40,500 |
44,200 |
43,700 |
47,700 |
49,338 |
|
60,000 to 70,000 |
23,200 |
28,100 |
25,100 |
29,300 |
29,700 |
|
70,000 to 80,000 |
13,700 |
14,100 |
16,000 |
16,300 |
13,744 |
|
80,000 to 90,000 |
6,300 |
4,600 |
5,100 |
5,400 |
5,473 |
|
90,000 to 100,000 |
3,000 |
1,700 |
2,200 |
2,300 |
2,264 |
|
100,000 to 125,000 |
2,100 |
1,700 |
1,600 |
1,600 |
1,605 |
|
125,000 to 150,000 |
1,000 |
1,200 |
1,300 |
1,400 |
1,476 |
|
Over 150,000 |
2,700 |
2,100 |
2,000 |
1,800 |
1,961 |
|
Total |
292,000 |
290,000 |
288,700 |
294,500 |
306,832 |
*Rounded to nearest 100
311. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the fire and evacuation procedures and policies in place in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, conference centre and castle hall; the length of time they have been in place; the procedures and policies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22824/17]
View answerThe current Fire and Evacuation Procedures for Dublin Castle were developed in 2016. These procedures are available in a document entitled Dublin Castle Emergency Response Procedures, which will be provided separately to the Deputy.
312. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of fire drills carried out for each year from 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, the conference centre and castle hall in tabular form; the nature of the fire drills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22825/17]
View answerUndertaking global fire drills at Dublin Castle evacuating the entire complex at the same time is impractical. A number of fire drills took place in the OPW occupied/managed areas of Dublin Castle during the time period outlined and targeted fire exercises are undertaken regularly.
In 2017, two fire drills are scheduled for Dublin Castle in late May and October. The undertaking of fire drills in buildings occupied by Departments, other than OPW within the Dublin Castle Complex is a matter for the Departments concerned.
313. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff trained in fire evacuation procedures in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, the conference centre and castle hall for each of the years 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22826/17]
View answerThe following staff numbers were trained as fire marshalls and trained in fire safety since 2009. A complete review based on best practice elsewhere in the OPW (Kilkenny Castle) was carried out in 2015 and new procedures were put in place following this review.
|
date |
course |
Numbers attending |
|
24/11/2009 |
Fire Marshall |
7 |
|
1/12/2009 |
Fire Marshall |
4 |
|
2/12/2009 |
Fire Marshall |
8 |
|
8/12/2009 |
Fire Marshall |
8 |
|
10/12/2009 |
Fire Marshall |
2 |
|
19/11/2012 |
Fire Marshall |
16 |
|
20/11/2012 |
Fire Marshall |
20 |
|
22/11/2012 |
Fire Marshall |
18 |
|
7/01/2014 |
Fire Marshall |
10 |
|
8/01/2014 |
Fire Marshall |
5 |
|
9/01/2014 |
Fire Marshall |
9 |
|
15/01/2015 |
Fire Marshall |
2 |
|
26/05/2015 |
Fire Marshall |
6 |
|
25/06/2015 |
Fire Marshall |
7 |
|
19/09/2016 |
Fire marshall |
5 |
|
20/02/2017 |
Fire Marshall |
8 |
The following staff were trained in fire safety awareness
|
Date |
Course |
|
|
25/11/2009 |
Fire safety awareness |
9 |
|
1/12/2009 |
Fire safety awareness |
4 |
|
2/12/2009 |
Fire safety awareness |
8 |
|
6/12/2011 |
Fire safety awareness |
13 |
|
7/01/2014 |
Fire safety awareness |
8 |
|
8/01/2014 |
Fire safety awareness |
6 |
|
9/01/2014 |
Fire safety awareness |
9 |
|
15/05/2014 |
Fire safety awareness |
2 |
|
19/09/2015 |
Fire safety awareness |
4 |
314. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of fire safety inspections that have been carried out in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, conference centre and castle hall; the number of fire regulation breaches which have been identified for each year from 2000 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the nature of the fire regulation breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22827/17]
View answerNumber of Fire Safety Inspections carried out at Dublin Castle in State Apartments, Conference Centre and Castle Hall:
Fire safety inspections are carried out on a regular basis by Architectural, Engineering and Fire Safety officials of the Office of Public Works to ensure that Dublin Castle meets with fire safety regulations. A regular programme of works is in place to upgrade fire safety as required throughout the Castle.
|
By whom |
Year |
No. |
|
Local Authority Fire Officer |
2010, 2017 |
2 |
|
External Fire Engineers consultants |
2012, 2013, 2014 State Apartments, Conference Centre and Castle Hall |
4 |
|
OPW internal Fire and Security Section together with Heritage Services |
2015 (revised in 2016 State Apartments, Conference Centre and Castle Hall |
1 |
|
OPW technical officials |
2012 to 2017 covering State Apartments, Conference Centre and Castle Hall |
Ongoing and regular |
Nature of fire regulation breaches identified in 2012:
External Fire Engineering consultants reports 2012, 2013 and 2014 identified certain shortcomings. Other items requiring attention have been identified in the context of OPW in house fire safety policies. It is planned to address all such limitations as soon as possible.
A local authority inspection in 2017 identified that some fire doors were wedged open in the course of an event on the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The practice of wedging open doors has been discontinued.
315. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of fire evacuation exit routes that conform with fire regulation standards in Dublin Castle, the State apartments, conference centre and castle hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22828/17]
View answerAll fire escape routes in Dublin Castle are managed to ensure the safe and speedy evacuation of occupants in the event of an emergency. There is an ongoing process of review and upgrade to ensure that evacuation routes, in particular within Dublin Castle, meet the standards of the relevant regulations.
The Fire Safety Strategy 2015/16 for Dublin Castle identifies and includes all relevant fire evacuation exit routes that require ongoing review.
316. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 6 December 2016, if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reimbursed for works they had to carry out on their lands after the construction of an access road by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22877/17]
View answerThe location referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Maine Catchment Drainage Scheme (CDS) which was carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. The River Maine CDS consists of 228 km of channel, 96 km of embankment, 130 bridges and 210 sluice outfall structures. The OPW has a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme.
OPW constructed a haul road to facilitate access to repair a breached flood defence embankment on this scheme. Following completion of the works, this office also undertook remedial works to this haul road, which had been agreed with the landowner.
The OPW received correspondence from the landowner in February 2017, which included an invoice for contract work carried out on his lands. The engineering staff in the Regional Office will shortly make direct contact with the landowner.
317. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a project (details supplied) being assessed within his Department; and the timeframe for completion. [22896/17]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public works advise that the Irish Coastguard, in conjunction with the Commissioners, is currently exploring a number of site options for a replacement coastguard Station in the Belmullet area.
Recommendations from the Irish Coastguard are expected shortly.
318. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the review on statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current and planned age of entitlement to the contributory State pension will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23058/17]
View answerThe review referred to by the Deputy is currently under way and is expected to be completed by the end of the current quarter. Future policy in this area will be considered by Government following the outcome of the review.
319. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will instruct the OPW to purchase a property (details supplied) in Thurles, County Tipperary, which has recently come on the market from private ownership; if he will put in place a plan, in conjunction with Tipperary County Council, to create a local folk and heritage museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23071/17]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance and operation of National Monuments and other heritage sites in State care but does not have a primary role in relation to the proposed acquisition of heritage properties. Decisions in relation to these matters are a matter for the Department of Arts Heritage Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs which has the primary responsibility for heritage policy.
The OPW is aware, from contacts with the Local Authority in recent days, that a proposal to acquire Black Castle in Thurles has been made and it is conveying the details to the Department for its attention and direct response.
320. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the arrangements the OPW has with Caranua regarding office accommodation; the terms and duration of the lease of offices from the OPW; if that lease will be renewed on those terms; and, if not, the reason therefor. [23101/17]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) advise that when CARANUA was established in 2013, the Commissioners were requested by the Department of Education and Skills to provide accommodation for this body. At the time, the Commissioners were able to offer accommodation in the leased property portfolio in Frederick Court as a temporary measure and CARANUA was willing to pay rent for that space.
The lease on Frederick Court is scheduled to expire this year and as such all occupants will be vacating the building. The Commissioners are facilitating CARANUA and have offered space in a newly leased building and CARANUA has agreed to pay rent for the space it will occupy.
321. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will instruct the OPW to advise as to the status of the agreement between a golf club (details supplied) and the OPW, which is the owner of the land on which the club operates; if he will instruct the OPW to engage with this club to give it security of tenure into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23138/17]
View answerIn 1967 the Commissioners of Public Works (CPW) acquired a parcel of land of approximately 23 acres, on behalf of the Garda Training College.
In 1998 it was agreed to lease these lands to Garda College Sportsfield Co. Limited (GCS) for a period of 99 years.
GCS sublet the golf course to a local group (Templemore Golf Club) and these tenants remain in place.
Officials in my office are currently in discussions with An Garda Síochána regarding this property and once these discussions conclude plans will then be formulated for the property.
