Written Answers Nos. 358-379
358. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the provision of coastal erosion protection measures at Portrane, County Dublin; the funding he has allocated for this project; the expected commencement date of work on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25485/17]
View answerThe management of problems of coastal protection in the area indicated is a matter for Fingal County Council in the first instance. The Council must assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required, it is open to the Council to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Where funding is provided to a local authority under the Minor Works scheme, it is a matter for the local authority to progress and oversee the completion of the works. The OPW does not become involved in the implementation of the works.
I have been advised that my Office is not in receipt of any application currently under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for Portrane.
I am aware however, that Fingal County Council is currently progressing the procurement of a study to provide solutions to the Coastal flooding at this location. OPW will liaise with FCC as appropriate in this regard.
359. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if recently retired public servants and local authority staff will receive an increase to their pension from the partial pay restoration which commenced on 1 April 2017; if future pay restoration measures will increase pension benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25335/17]
View answerUnder the Lansdowne Road Agreement, the Government as public service employer agreed to an increase in annualised basic salaries of €1,000 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2017 inclusive payable to:
- public servants on annualised basic salaries up to €65,000;
- who are parties to the Lansdowne Road Agreement; and
- who do not stand to benefit from the Labour Court Recommendations (CD/16/321 & CD/16/322);
The salary increase was agreed to address the pay anomaly arising from the Labour Court Recommendations in late 2016 accepted by the Government in resolution of the pay dispute with the Garda Associations. The terms of that settlement did not impact on pensions in payment and the current increase of €1,000 for the period 1 April to 31 August 2017 on annualised basic salaries up to €65,000 also does not impact on pensions in payment.
With regard to the Deputy's reference to future pay restoration measures, the position is that, as we move beyond "FEMPI" legislation and the progressive removal of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) towards more normal pay and pension setting conditions in the public service, the issue of how to adjust the post-award value of public service pensions, through appropriate pay or other linkages, will be considered by Government in due course.
360. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of pension-related deductions deducted in each Department in each of the years 2012 to 2016 in tabular form. [25354/17]
View answerThe amount of Pension-Related Deduction (PRD) for each Vote for each of the years 2012 to 2016 is set out in the table. This table represents the current Vote arrangement. .
The 2016 figures are based on the provisional outturn.
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
(€000's) |
(€000's) |
(€000's) |
(€000's) |
(€000's) |
||
|
PRD Total |
934,739 |
925,986 |
877,800 |
905,119 |
705,998 |
|
|
Vote No |
Vote |
|||||
|
1 |
President's Establishment |
89 |
88 |
83 |
96 |
79 |
|
2 |
Taoiseach |
852 |
869 |
807 |
854 |
716 |
|
3 |
Attorney General |
737 |
766 |
735 |
714 |
610 |
|
4 |
Central Statistics Office |
1,868 |
1,757 |
1,610 |
1,696 |
1,400 |
|
5 |
Director of Public Prosecutions |
887 |
126 |
822 |
813 |
681 |
|
6 |
Chief State Solicitor's Office |
916 |
902 |
873 |
867 |
700 |
|
7 |
Finance |
1,085 |
1,148 |
1,016 |
991 |
786 |
|
8 |
Comptroller and Auditor General |
570 |
565 |
532 |
535 |
402 |
|
9 |
Revenue |
16,080 |
16,506 |
15,681 |
15,099 |
10,947 |
|
10 |
Tax Appeals Commission |
33 |
32 |
30 |
32 |
46 |
|
11 |
Public Expenditure and Reform |
2,213 |
2,465 |
2,063 |
2,001 |
1,725 |
|
13 |
Office of Public Works |
4,695 |
4,655 |
4,214 |
4,053 |
2,951 |
|
14 |
State Laboratory |
299 |
295 |
284 |
283 |
219 |
|
16 |
Valuation Office |
458 |
446 |
409 |
409 |
299 |
|
17 |
Public Appointments Service |
276 |
244 |
248 |
283 |
213 |
|
18 |
NSSO |
- |
260 |
442 |
598 |
461 |
|
19 |
Ombudsman |
355 |
364 |
328 |
349 |
289 |
|
20 |
Garda Siochana |
61,887 |
61,949 |
58,749 |
60,362 |
52,272 |
|
21 |
Prisons |
16,236 |
16,260 |
16,038 |
15,530 |
13,015 |
|
22 |
Courts Service |
2,929 |
2,864 |
2,626 |
2,673 |
1,947 |
|
23 |
Property Registration Authority |
1,313 |
1,276 |
1,177 |
1,125 |
750 |
|
24 |
Justice and Equality |
7,288 |
7,166 |
6,346 |
7,055 |
5,583 |
|
25 |
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission |
- |
- |
- |
222 |
97 |
|
26 |
Education and Skills |
361,014 |
360,956 |
341,184 |
341,734 |
269,715 |
|
27 |
International Co-operation |
799 |
766 |
730 |
716 |
536 |
|
28 |
Foreign Affairs and Trade |
3,545 |
3,409 |
3,107 |
3,028 |
2,351 |
|
29 |
Communications, Climate Action and Environment |
4,145 |
4,025 |
3,797 |
3,746 |
3,763 |
|
30 |
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
17,646 |
17,217 |
15,991 |
15,751 |
12,135 |
|
31 |
Transport, Tourism and Sport |
4,958 |
5,256 |
4,429 |
4,387 |
3,478 |
|
32 |
Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation |
10,669 |
10,252 |
9,288 |
8,996 |
7,047 |
|
33 |
Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
4,430 |
4,076 |
4,098 |
3,942 |
3,026 |
|
34 |
Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government |
6,249 |
6,099 |
5,657 |
5,664 |
3,177 |
|
35 |
Army Pensions |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
36 |
Defence |
24,691 |
25,303 |
22,551 |
21,445 |
14,781 |
|
37 |
Social Protection |
16,820 |
16,672 |
15,503 |
15,167 |
10,336 |
|
38 |
Health |
4,861 |
4,619 |
4,546 |
6,361 |
4,828 |
|
39 |
Office of Government Procurement |
- |
- |
225 |
472 |
375 |
|
40 |
Children and Youth Affairs |
1,855 |
1,878 |
12,408 |
13,067 |
10,229 |
|
41 |
Policing Authority |
- |
- |
- |
- |
31 |
|
Health Service Executive |
351,988 |
344,452 |
319,170 |
344,000 |
264,000 |
361. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the delay in the Office of Public Works formally approving the lower Morrell river flood relief scheme and the funding of same in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25524/17]
View answerKildare County Council (KCC) is the Contracting Authority for the Lower Morrell River Flood Relief Scheme and the Council is managing and overseeing the necessary work to progress the scheme.
The Council and its consultants have now finalised the Environmental Impact Statement and are preparing the required documentation for the planning stage. The Council expects to submit the proposed Scheme for planning approval shortly. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is committed to funding the proposed works and has included provision for the cost of the Scheme in its multiannual profiles of expenditure. Formal approval of the Scheme and its funding arrangements will be provided by the OPW shortly.
362. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to parliamentary question number 210 of 3 May 2017, if he will review the phase 2 restoration works to Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare, in the context of the current capital review, in view of the importance of the castle to Maynooth and the wider region as a tourist attraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25530/17]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has in the last approx. 2 years, in the context of the development of a Tourism Capital Development Programme which will be co-funded by Fáilte Ireland, engaged in an appraisal of the heritage estate in their care with a view to identifying those possibilities which best meet the criteria for enhancing tourism assets within the Ireland’s Ancient East Brand area. This Programme forms a significant part of the recent Capital Review carried out by the OPW and the early development targets are included in the spending targets for the Office over the period immediately ahead.
While all of the current visitor locations in the relevant parts of the country, including Co. Kildare sites, were considered for investment, it is clear that certain properties have a better short and medium term tourism development potential because of factors such as an identified visitor need, site availability, existing tourism traffic etc. It is felt that a targeted capital investment in these locations in particular would best meet the needs of the Tourism Programme and would yield exponentially better outcomes in terms of generating visitor footfall at these locations. The Maynooth site, while it is performing relatively well as a local and a seasonal tourism site, is not considered, in this early phase of the Programme, to offer as significant a potential for tourism generation.
The Tourism Capital Development Programme is intended to progress over a 5 year period and will involve the continuing reappraisal of all investment options on an ongoing basis.
363. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has approved the draft catchment flood risk assessment and management study, CFRAMS, for the eastern region; if he has set up a framework of consultants to carry out the studies recommended in the finalised report; his plans to carry out further studies on flooding at Hazelhatch, Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25533/17]
View answerThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding, is the OPW's Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. It is the principal vehicle for implementing the EU Floods Directive and national flood policy. The Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities, involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of Flood Risk Management Plans.
The Flood Risk Management Plans (including the Eastern CFRAM) are now being finalised taking account of all observations and comments received as part of the statutory public consultation on the Draft Plans. The Flood Risk Management Plans will then be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval.
Pending finalisation of the Flood Risk Management Plans, the Office of Public Works is in the process of putting in place frameworks for Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services. These frameworks will facilitate the appointment of consultants for individual projects to develop outline measures proposed in the FRMPs through more detailed engineering design and environmental assessment to the delivery of Flood Risk Management Projects.
The CFRAM Programme that studied the fluvial flood risk, identified that there are likely to be other flooding sources at Hazelhatch. These are to be the subject of a further study, including data collection and an assessment to identity any feasible option to manage the existing flood risk.
364. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of contracts that have been agreed under the Office of Government Procurement’s framework for media monitoring of all sources - print, online, social media and broadcast media; the annual value of those contracts; if his attention or the attention of the Office of Government Procurement has been drawn to concerns regarding the quality of media monitoring services since the acquisition of a company (details supplied) was announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25546/17]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement’s Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Media Monitoring Services commenced in January 2016. A total of 45 contracts have been awarded under the framework agreement since February 2016. The total value of the contracts to the end of February 2017 is €314,865. Individual Contracting Authorities have made OGP aware of specific issues with regard to the overall performance of the Service Provider. Since becoming aware OGP has engaged with the Service Provider in order to resolve these issues.
365. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the final report of the Public Service Pay Commission to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25575/17]
View answerThe initial Report of the Public Service Pay Commission was published on Tuesday, 9 May 2017. For its initial report the Commission was asked to provide input on how the unwinding of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest legislation should proceed having regard to:
- The evolution of pay trends in the public and private sectors, based on published data;
- A comparison of pay rates for identifiable groups within the public service with prevailing non-public sector market rates;
- International rates and comparisons where possible; and
- The state of the national finances
The Commission was also asked to give consideration to other conditions of service of public servants, including tenure and pension, as well as recruitment and retention trends in the public service.
Following consideration of the published report by the Government, I have invited public service unions and staff representative organisations to engage with public service employers led by officials of my Department, on the negotiation and agreement of an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. These discussions, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, are currently ongoing.
366. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans regarding the restoration in full of all State employee pension entitlements cut under the FEMPI measures; the full impact of the cuts that applied; the partial restoration which has taken place to date; the timeframe for full restoration across all State employee sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25576/17]
View answerThe particular measure affecting public service pensions under the financial emergency legislation is the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), which was introduced on 1 January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010.
PSPR reduces the value of those public service pensions which have pre-PSPR values above specified thresholds. It does so in a progressively structured way which has a proportionately greater effect on higher value pensions. At all times, public service pensions up to a value of at least €12,000 have been exempt from PSPR, while a higher exemption threshold of at least €32,500 has applied to pensions awarded to persons who retire from 1 March 2012 onwards.
The full maximum impact of the PSPR cuts was imposed by the reduction rates which applied from 1 July 2013 and which remained in force until end-2015. Three separate tables of rates applied over that period.
For persons who retired up to end-February 2012, and whose pensions before application of PSPR had a value of up to €34,132, the PSPR rates applying from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2015 were as follows:
|
Up to €12,000 |
Exempt |
|
Any amount over €12,000 but not over €24,000 |
6% |
|
Any amount over €24,000 |
9% |
For persons who retired up to end-February 2012, and whose pensions before application of PSPR had a value of greater than €34,132, the PSPR rates applying from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2015 were as follows:
|
Up to €12,000 |
Exempt |
|
Any amount over €12,000 but not over €24,000 |
8% |
|
Any amount over €24,000 but not over €60,000 |
12% |
|
Any amount over €60,000 but not over €100,000 |
17% |
|
Any amount over €100,000 |
28% |
For persons who retired after end-February 2012, and whose pensions before application of PSPR had a value of greater than €32,500, the PSPR rates applying from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2015 were as follows:
|
Up to €12,000 |
Exempt |
|
Any amount over €12,000 but not over €24,000 |
2% |
|
Any amount over €24,000 but not over €60,000 |
3% |
|
Any amount over €60,000 but not over €100,000 |
5% |
|
Any amount over €100,000 |
8% |
PSPR has been less severe on the pensions awarded to persons retiring after end-February 2012, with higher exemption thresholds and lower percentage decreases applying to such pensions. The particular PSPR treatment of these later-awarded pensions reflects the fact that they are based on salary rates which have been affected by the public service pay cuts of 1 January 2010; earlier-awarded pensions, by contrast, are effectively based on salary rates which do not take these 2010 pay cuts into account.
A very significant part-unwinding of PSPR in three stages is taking place under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015, with PSPR-affected pensioners getting pension increases via substantial restoration of the PSPR cuts on 1 January 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018 as follows:
- On 1 January 2016, increases in the annual pension thresholds for PSPR application were activated. These exemption threshold increases fully removed PSPR from a significant number of pensions with relatively lower values, while those pensions which continued to be impacted by PSPR received a boost of €400 per year.
- On 1 January 2017, additional PSPR amelioration, acting principally via further exemption threshold increases, fully removed PSPR from another significant tranche of public service pensioners, while at the same time boosting those pensions which remain affected by PSPR by up to €500 per year.
- On 1 January 2018, the third phase of PSPR amelioration will ensure that all PSPR-impacted pensions with values up to €34,132 will be fully restored, meaning that PSPR will no longer affect such pensions, while those pensions which continue to be impacted by PSPR will get a boost of, in most cases, €780 per year.
At 2015 year-end, public service pensions with annual pre-PSPR values up to at least €12,000 were exempt from PSPR. Under the FEMPI 2015 three-stage part-unwinding which I have referred to, on 1 January 2016, all pensions of up to at least €18,700 became exempt from PSPR; from 1 January 2017, all pensions of up to at least €26,000 are now exempt from PSPR, and from 1 January 2018 all pensions of up to at least €34,132 per year will be exempt from PSPR. Those pensioners not fully removed from the reach of PSPR by dint of these changes will, in the majority of cases, benefit by €1,680 per year from 2018 . The cost of these changes is estimated at about €90 million on a full-year basis from 2018.
Under section 12 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, I as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform am required to review the necessity of the FEMPI legislation annually and cause a written report my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The next report is due by end June 2017 and in the context of that report, I shall review the scope of the existing financial emergency measures and the possible further scale-back of those measures, including the PSPR.
367. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific actions he has undertaken under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to contribute to the national mitigation plan. [25692/17]
View answerI am cognisant of the statutory requirements placed on the Government and all Government Ministers under the Climate Action and Low-Carbon Development Act 2015.
As part of Budget 2017, the then new Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment was awarded an increased allocation of funding to contribute towards measures to help Ireland in relation to climate and energy obligations.
In terms of the preparation of Ireland’s first statutory National Mitigation Plan, under the aegis of the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment as provided for under the 2015 Act, my Department has been involved in the development of the Plan through its membership of the relevant Steering Group. My Department has also met bilaterally with the Climate Change Advisory Council.
Separately my Department is currently undertaking a number of actions in order to help mainstream the climate change agenda into policy formulation and decision making processes across Government. For example, as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan, Departments have been explicitly asked to outline the implications, both positive and negative, of their spending proposals in terms of Ireland’s climate and energy obligations.
My Department is also currently reviewing the Public Spending Code. As it is the economic and evaluation resources within the relevant Departments that are best placed to determine if the existing appraisal framework provides the best available advice on measuring and reporting on the costs and benefits associated with climate change measures, my Department will work with the relevant Departments in circumstances where the latter consider that changes in terms of specific sectoral and/or technical guidance in the Public Spending Code is necessary.
In this context it is to be noted that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is, through the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGESS), supporting capacity building of economic and evaluation skill sets in Government Departments.
A sustained whole of Government approach will be required to enable Ireland’s transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. In this context, the development of the first statutory National Mitigation Plan represents an important step towards mainstreaming the climate change agenda into the policy formulation and decision making processes across all of Government.
I am, together with my Department, committed to assisting this transition.
368. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific actions the Office of Public Works has undertaken under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to contribute to the national mitigation plan. [25694/17]
View answerUnder the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment must submit a National Mitigation Plan to Government for approval in June 2017. A draft of the national mitigation plan was issued for public comment (to be returned by 26 April 2017). The draft plan acknowledges the savings made to date through the OPW's successful Optimising Power @ Work energy conservation initiative and proposes to build on the existing campaign. The draft plan also refers to the recent publication of the "Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy" and the OPW is working closely with other relevant Departments and agencies to identify energy efficiency projects within our building portfolio. As part of the strategy, the OPW has been provided with funding for energy upgrade projects in the central Government portfolio and we are currently working closely with SEAI to deliver this pilot programme in 2017.
369. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, during each of the years 2005 to 2016, and to date in 2017, the OPW rented out properties owned by it for which it received no rent; the details of the properties concerned; the dates they were rented from; the rent that was not paid to the OPW; and the reason for same in tabular form. [25699/17]
View answerThe majority of property owned by the Office of Public Works, is occupied by central Government Departments and An Garda Síochána, who do not pay rent to the OPW. The OPW, however, does generate rental income from a mix of non-central Government, and private sector occupants. The projected income from these occupants in respect of rent and licences in 2017 is c. €4.2m. Nearly 60% of the expected rental income relates to income from licence fees for telecommunications masts. The remaining rental income comes from tenants that are non-central Government clients of the OPW.
These tenants can be split into two categories - those that generate a rent and those that are intentionally leased or licensed at a nominal rent.
Those occupants that pay rent for OPW-owned properties include state bodies, sporting clubs, crèches and a number of private sector tenants. A number of farmers also rent grazing land primarily around heritage/historic properties.
Properties that are, in the main, leased or licensed to Community Groups - including former Garda Stations, Schools and properties no longer needed for their original function - are generally occupied rent free.
As is the nature of management of a large property portfolio, there are a small number of tenants in arrears with rent, and a number of tenants in legal dispute with the State over varying issues relating to occupancy.
The OPW is currently conducting a review of its rented properties to ensure that all rents are appropriately collected in accordance with the relevant leases/licences.
370. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expenditure carryover from budget 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/17]
View answerThe carryover impact of Budget 2017 current expenditure measures is outlined on Page 36, Table 9 of the Expenditure Report 2017. Based on the estimate at that time, there is an additional cost of €473m arising in 2018 from the carryover impact of certain Budget 2017 expenditure measures. This amount would need to be met from the available fiscal space or from reprioritisation of expenditure.
371. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe for ending the pay disparity in the public sector between those that started work in that sector pre-2012 and post-2012. [25858/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my answer to PQ Ref: 10594/17 on 2 March 2017.
372. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the due diligence processes, including reviews or analysis of professional conduct, competence and background, including allegations of misconduct, that are conducted prior to the appointment of legal advisers to public bodies, including the Standards in Public Office Commission. [25861/17]
View answerThe Standards in Public Office Commission (SiPOC) is an independent statutory body and, as such, is not accountable to me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, or to the Government in the performance of its functions. I am informed, however, that the Office of the Ombudsman provides the administrative support to SiPOC in terms of HR, ICT and financial services including procurement.
I am also informed that the Office of the Ombudsman has in place a framework agreement for the provision of legal services, as is the case with a number of public bodies. These agreements are established on foot of rigorous procurement processes which ensure that service providers have the necessary skills and expertise to provide the requisite legal services, whilst also ensuring value for money is achieved. At the conclusion of a procurement process, a contract is put in place with the successful provider. It is for that provider to engage and verify the qualifications of its staff in order to fulfil its contractual responsibilities.
The procurement process for legal services, and all other procurement processes carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman, fall for scrutiny by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in the course of its audit of the Office of the Ombudsman's Appropriation Account.
373. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the recent announcement that a public services card will be required by persons applying for passports and driver's licences; the reasons for these proposals; if they will apply to renewals or just new applications; when he expects the measures to be introduced; if the Data Protection Commissioner has been consulted; if so, the advice given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25923/17]
View answerThe Public Services Card and MyGovID, its online counterpart, are underpinned by the SAFE II registration process. This registration process provides for the best physical and online identity verification methods available to the State where these are required for the delivery of Public Services. Not only does it provide increased protection against fraud and impersonation, but it will also offer improvements in convenience and efficiency, and alignment with EU regulations; i.e. Regulation (EU) N°910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Regulation).
SAFE II is already in place for new adult passport applications and will be introduced for adult renewals where the applicant resides in Ireland later in the year. We are working through options for applicants who reside outside the country and will introduce new procedures once these are ready.
SAFE II will be introduced for Drivers Theory Test applications in June of this year and the actual test in 2018. Again, we are looking into options for handling non-Ireland residents.
The use of the Public Services Card to underpin Public Service delivery is legislated for through the Social Welfare and Pensions Acts and my colleagues in DSP have consulted the Data Protection Commissioner's Office on this.
374. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consideration given to persons living abroad in the recently announced proposals that a public services card will be required by persons applying for passports and drivers licences; the allowances that will be made for such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/17]
View answerThe Public Services Card and MyGovID, its online counterpart, are underpinned by the SAFE II registration process. This registration process provides for the best physical and online identity verification methods available to the State where these are required for the delivery of Public Services. Not only does it provide increased protection against fraud and impersonation, but it will also offer improvements in convenience and efficiency, and alignment with EU regulations; i.e. Regulation (EU) N°910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Regulation).
SAFE II is already in place for new adult passport applications and will be introduced for adult renewals where the applicant resides in Ireland later in the year. We are working through options for applicants who reside outside the country and will introduce new procedures once these are ready.
SAFE II will be introduced for Drivers Theory Test applications in June of this year and the actual test in 2018. Again, we are looking into options for handling non-Ireland residents.
375. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons in receipt of a public sector pension in 2016 in pension bands (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25955/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 21593/17 on 9 May 2017.
376. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 213 and 214 of 23 March 2017, the grants provided by Údarás na Gaeltachta to client companies that are among the Succeed in Ireland initiative companies credited with providing verified jobs; and the amount provided for all companies that are in this scheme. [25281/17]
View answerI have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that, in March 2016, the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved a grant aid package for the creation of 125 jobs by SLM Ceangal Éire Teo in Páirc Ghnó Ghaoth Dobhair. Údarás na Gaeltachta has provided a total of €97,356 in grant aid, of which €8,503 relates to 2016 and €88,853 relates to date in 2017.
377. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of her Department’s communications with the European Commission regarding proposed changes to sections of the Wildlife Acts described in the Heritage Bill 2016. [25363/17]
View answerOfficials of my Department had informal discussions with the European Commission on the proposed changes to the burning and hedge cutting provisions included in the Heritage Bill 2016, at a meeting prior to the January 2016 publication of the Bill. I understand that the Commission officials acknowledged that the proposed changes related to national legislation and did not make any further observations at the time nor has my Department received any subsequent correspondence from the Commission on this issue.
378. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the National Parks and Wildlife Service will make or has made a submission on a planning application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25377/17]
View answerMy Department submitted its observations in relation to the planning application referred to by the Deputy, to the planning authority on 18 May 2017. It is my understanding that these observations will be available to view on the planning authority’s website in due course. The decision on this application will be a matter for the planning authority.
379. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to introduce a local improvement scheme for the repair of local access roads under the CLÁR programme; if so, when the scheme will be open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25552/17]
View answerThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The allocation for CLÁR for 2017 is €5 million and funding is available under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure Needs
Measure 4: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for applications under the programme was Friday, 5 May 2017 and 519 applications were received under the various measures.
I have already announced that over €1.2 million has been approved for eligible projects under Measure 4: First Response Support Measure. This funding will provide support for organisations that are involved in a voluntary capacity in responding to emergency situations in CLÁR areas. I expect to be in a position to announce further allocations under the remaining measures shortly.
I have no plans, at the moment, to introduce a funding scheme for the repair of local access roads in CLÁR areas. My colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, who has overall responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the national roads network, provides funding to Local Authorities for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads. Local Authorities, can, if they wish, make a percentage of their roads allocation available for the maintenance and improvement of roads and laneways that are still in private ownership under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
The Action Plan for Rural Development includes a commitment to promote increased funding for Local Improvement Schemes (for non-public roads and laneways) and Community Involvement schemes (for regional and local roads), on an annual basis, as resources permit. Responsibility for this action is assigned to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Local Authorities.
