Written Answers Nos 282-305
282. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Department staff in his press office; the reporting relationship in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46048/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are 3 staff in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Press Office, which comprise a Press and Information Officer, an Executive Officer and a Clerical Officer.
Please see the table for reporting relationships in operation in the Press Office.
The Press Office reports to the Secretary General and works closely with the Minister's Press Spokesperson.
|
Title |
Reports To |
|
Press and Information Officer |
Secretary General |
|
Executive Officer |
Press and Information Officer |
|
Clerical Officer |
Press and Information Officer |
283. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the protocol for attendance by staff, both civil servants and political non-civil servants, on continuing professional development programmes and courses; the number of staff, both civil servants and political non-civil servants, in his Department that participated in such programmes on an annual basis in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017; the costs incurred by his Department for persons who participated in these courses; the providers of all such courses; the subject areas of all courses and programmes provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46065/17]
View answerSince the establishment of my Department in July 2011, Learning and Development (L&D), including Continuing Professional Development (CPD), has been an important element of our organisational learning culture. It supports, in particular, staff membership of professional bodies, attendance at seminars and conferences and the development of skills in conjunction with professional organisations.
Aligned with the strategic business needs of the Department, L&D requirements, including CPD, are informed by individual staff L&D plans under the auspices of the Performance Management Development System (ePMDS). This is complemented, furthermore, by engagement with key stakeholders including the Management Board, senior management and divisional business planning meetings. The diversity of courses undertaken reflects the broad range of functions undertaken by my Department.
Outlined below, in tabular format, is the relevant information requested by the Deputy.
|
Year |
Subject Area |
No. of Staff |
Provider |
Total Cost |
|
2012 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
2 |
Institute for Fiscal Studies |
€1,956.30 |
|
2012 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
Europaische Akademie |
€1,533.91 |
|
2012 |
Financial Business & Economics |
10 |
IPA |
€5,413.60 |
|
2012 |
Financial Business & Economics |
5 |
Thomson Reuters |
€1,395.00 |
|
2012 |
Financial Business & Economics |
2 |
BMF Business Services |
€479.70 |
|
2012 |
Human Resources |
3 |
IBEC |
€1,721.50 |
|
2013 |
Communication Skills |
1 |
Carr Communications Limited |
€350.00 |
|
2013 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
3 |
Law Society |
€841.00 |
|
2013 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
Legal-Island |
€474.00 |
|
2013 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
Academy of EU Law |
€480.60 |
|
2013 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
NUI Maynooth |
€295.00 |
|
2013 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Trigraph |
€1,595.00 |
|
2013 |
Financial Business & Economics |
5 |
Thomson Reuters |
€1,395.00 |
|
2013 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Chartered Accountants of Ireland |
€565.00 |
|
2013 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
IPA |
€405.00 |
|
2013 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy |
€355.76 |
|
2013 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Irish Taxation Institute |
€330.00 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
6 |
IBEC |
€2,423.10 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
4 |
Legal-Island |
€1,740.00 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
3 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development |
€594.11 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
2 |
IRN |
€490.00 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
2 |
CLT Ireland |
€380.00 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
1 |
Thomson Reuters |
€295.00 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
1 |
IPA |
€235.00 |
|
2013 |
Human Resources |
1 |
UCD |
€195.00 |
|
2013 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
IPA |
€5,300.00 |
|
2013 |
Leadership Development |
2 |
Common Purpose |
€4,500.00 |
|
2013 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
IPA |
€810.00 |
|
2013 |
Public Relations |
2 |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€640.00 |
|
2013 |
Specialist IT Training |
1 |
IIEA |
€350.00 |
|
2013 |
Specialist IT Training |
1 |
SureSkills Limited |
€295.00 |
|
2014 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
11 |
Legal-Island |
€2,599.00 |
|
2014 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
4 |
IPA |
€526.08 |
|
2014 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
Law Society |
€240.00 |
|
2014 |
Financial Business & Economics |
2 |
Chartered Accountants of Ireland |
€871.42 |
|
2014 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Irish Directors of Ireland |
€495.00 |
|
2014 |
Human Resources |
12 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€10,112.50 |
|
2014 |
Human Resources |
15 |
Legal-Island |
€4,685.00 |
|
2014 |
Human Resources |
21 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development |
€4,048.83 |
|
2014 |
Human Resources |
1 |
Perform Force |
€475.00 |
|
2014 |
Human Resources |
10 |
Irish Hospice Foundation |
€400.00 |
|
2014 |
Human Resources |
1 |
The Mediators Institute Association for Members |
€180.00 |
|
2014 |
Language Skills |
1 |
Gaelchultur |
€750.00 |
|
2014 |
Leadership Development |
4 |
Common Purpose |
€5,295.00 |
|
2014 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
IPA |
€2,700.00 |
|
2014 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
Andec |
€2,033.90 |
|
2014 |
Public Relations |
3 |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€995.00 |
|
2014 |
Public Relations |
2 |
High Performance Training |
€700.00 |
|
2015 |
Communication Skills |
3 |
The Communications Clinic |
€1,400.00 |
|
2015 |
Communication Skills |
1 |
Carr Communications Limited |
€350.00 |
|
2015 |
Communication Skills |
1 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€225.00 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
6 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€2,440.00 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
5 |
IPA |
€2,025.00 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
21 |
Seamus O'Dwyer |
€1,499.91 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
11 |
Allied Coaches |
€1,050.00 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
3 |
Legal-Island |
€675.00 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
3 |
IIEA |
€297.00 |
|
2015 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
2 |
IPA |
€526.00 |
|
2015 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Irish Times Training |
€350.00 |
|
2015 |
Human Resources |
11 |
Legal-Island |
€4,345.00 |
|
2015 |
Human Resources |
7 |
IPA |
€1,400.00 |
|
2015 |
Human Resources |
3 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development |
€705.00 |
|
2015 |
Human Resources |
1 |
Group Analytic Practice |
€350.00 |
|
2015 |
Language Skills |
1 |
Alliance Française de Dublin |
€301.50 |
|
2015 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
Trigraph |
€2,195.00 |
|
2015 |
Leadership Development |
2 |
Beacon HRM |
€1,466.05 |
|
2015 |
Public Relations |
1 |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€1,790.00 |
|
2015 |
Specialist IT Training |
8 |
SureSkills Limited |
€5,242.00 |
|
2015 |
Specialist IT Training |
4 |
Institute of Project Management |
€3,840.00 |
|
2015 |
Specialist IT Training |
13 |
SOLAS |
€3,685.00 |
|
2016 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
22 |
Seamus O'Dwyer |
€2,399.98 |
|
2016 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
Legal-Island |
€225.00 |
|
2016 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
1 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€895.00 |
|
2016 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Trigraph |
€1,095.00 |
|
2016 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
ACCA |
€307.82 |
|
2016 |
Financial Business & Economics |
2 |
PMI |
€273.74 |
|
2016 |
Human Resources |
29 |
Legal-Island |
€10,586.00 |
|
2016 |
Human Resources |
2 |
IBEC |
€1,800.00 |
|
2016 |
Human Resources |
8 |
IRN |
€1,600.00 |
|
2016 |
Human Resources |
8 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development |
€1,587.42 |
|
2016 |
Human Resources |
1 |
Irish Centre for Business |
€165.00 |
|
2016 |
Language Skills |
1 |
Alliance Française de Dublin |
€189.00 |
|
2016 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
IPA |
€6,300.00 |
|
2016 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
The Communications Clinic |
€400.00 |
|
2016 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
DCU |
€240.00 |
|
2016 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
UCD |
€50.00 |
|
2016 |
Public Relations |
1 |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€50.00 |
|
2016 |
Specialist IT Training |
1 |
SureSkills Limited |
€850.00 |
|
2017 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
2 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€689.32 |
|
2017 |
Economic Policy, Law & Legislation |
2 |
AllOne Limited |
€700.00 |
|
2017 |
Financial Business & Economics |
21 |
The Leuven Institute for Ireland |
€14,999.88 |
|
2017 |
Financial Business & Economics |
2 |
BMF Business Services |
€553.50 |
|
2017 |
Financial Business & Economics |
2 |
PMI |
€450.72 |
|
2017 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries |
€424.87 |
|
2017 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
ACCA |
€276.08 |
|
2017 |
Financial Business & Economics |
1 |
LIA |
€150.00 |
|
2017 |
Human Resources |
22 |
IRN |
€5,443.45 |
|
2017 |
Human Resources |
22 |
Legal-Island |
€5,015.00 |
|
2017 |
Human Resources |
8 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development |
€2,063.85 |
|
2017 |
Human Resources |
1 |
IPA |
€1,950.00 |
|
2017 |
Human Resources |
1 |
IITD |
€500.00 |
|
2017 |
Human Resources |
1 |
Public Affairs Ireland |
€425.00 |
|
2017 |
Language Skills |
1 |
Gaelchultur |
€745.00 |
|
2017 |
Leadership Development |
1 |
Institute of Directors of Ireland |
€495.00 |
|
2017 |
Public Relations |
2 |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€3,450.00 |
|
2017 |
Specialist IT Training |
18 |
BT Ireland Limited |
€5,099.94 |
|
2017 |
Specialist IT Training |
1 |
SOLAS |
€380.00 |
284. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public relations companies or agencies the services of which his Department has used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017; and the costs incurred to date in 2017. [46082/17]
View answerThe following table outlines the public relations companies or agencies the services of which my Department has used for information campaigns since 1 January 2017 to date in 2017:
Public Relations Company/Agency used for Information Campaigns in 2017
|
Name of Company/Agency |
Purpose |
Amount |
|
Society of Actuaries in Ireland |
Issuing of recruitment notice to all members of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland |
€2,460.00 |
285. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he has taken to ensure that grant-aided organisations are spending their moneys appropriately in view of the revelations regarding a charity (details supplied) in 2016; if his attention has been drawn to concerns about organisations funded by his Department; if so, the action he has taken; if his Department has issued new procedures regarding the use of credit cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46099/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, all Government Departments and public bodies in receipt of public funding must comply, as appropriate, with the relevant requirements of the Public Spending Code. The Public Spending Code sets out the value for money rules and guidance for spending in all public bodies at all stages in the expenditure lifecycle – before, during and after spending. The Public Spending Code applies to both capital and current expenditure. The Code outlines what is required of public service managers at different points of the expenditure lifecycle and offers advice on how to fulfil those requirements.
In addition to the financial reporting requirements, principles and procedures established in legislation and set out in Public Financial Procedures, new and updated requirements for the management of grant funding provided from public money issued in the form of a Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 – Management and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This circular outlines the public financial management principles, procedures, and additional reporting requirements to be followed in the management of grant funding provided from public money. The fundamental principle is that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The provisions of the circular apply to the movement of funds from a Vote to an outside body, and to any/all onward movements of that funding. The objective is to ensure that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed. In this context, the Department has not issued separate procedures regarding the use of credit cards.
With regard to my own Department, no concerns have been brought to my attention regarding organisations funded by my Department. The Deputy will be aware that my Department funds a number of organisations through grants. Most of these organisations are public bodies under my aegis or under the aegis of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. The expenditure of these public bodies are examined by the relevant auditing authorities for each and the Department monitors the expenditure of each to ensure that these public bodies are spending moneys appropriately in line with the public policy objectives pertaining to each grant. Where grants relate to EU Funded Programmes, expenditure is also subject to the eligibility checks associated with the relevant Programme. Where the Department grants public moneys to not-for-profit organisations to carry out public interest work on behalf of the State, officials in my Department monitor expenditure to ensure that these organisations are carrying out the objectives of the grant.
286. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of all planning and research work under way for the impact of the result of Brexit negotiations in his Department or related State agencies; if this analysis is intended for publication; the expected completion and publication date, respectively, of this research, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46125/17]
View answerWork on preparing for Brexit is underway across Government through a range of cross-Departmental coordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit.
My Department is contributing to this cross-Departmental planning and preparation for Brexit and to deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the consequences of different scenarios.
The Department has specific responsibility for the EU-funded cross-border programmes, PEACE and INTERREG. It has been working with the Managing Authority for the two North South programmes, the Special EU Programmes Body - one of the North South bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement - on the implications of Brexit for the programmes. Research undertaken or commissioned by the SEUPB and the issue of publication of such research is a matter for discussion by my Department with the Northern Ireland Department of Finance, its joint Sponsor Department for the SEUPB.
In parallel, my Department is continuing its own assessment of the implications of Brexit for the continuation of this area of North South cooperation.
287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the grounds on which a staff transfer as part of existing mobility initiatives within the Civil Service may be refused; the grounds and-or circumstances on which a request to transfer may be supported and-or augmented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46173/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the current mechanism for transfers of Clerical Officer and (former) Staff Officer grades is arranged in accordance with formal procedures, which were agreed with the Staff Side at General Council under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Civil Service. Agreements were reached for Clerical Officers in 1978 and Staff Officers in 2001.
Also interdepartmental transfers between other grades in the Civil Service can be arranged on an informal head-to-head basis. Such transfers are arranged between the officers seeking to move and the relevant Personnel Units and require the agreement of both Personnel Officers.
These current schemes are operated by Departments/Offices and my Department has no involvement in how they operate.
You will also be aware that Civil Service Mobility is one of a number of arrangements to be put in place to fulfil the requirements of Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan which calls to ‘Expand career and mobility opportunities for staff across geographic, organisational and sectoral boundaries’.
Senior level mobility, under the Senior Public Service (SPS) Mobility Protocol, came into effect in 2012. All vacancies at Assistant Secretary level in Government Departments and Offices must be considered as to their suitability for filling through mobility in the first instance. This process is overseen by the mobility subgroup of the SPS Management Committee, chaired by the Secretary General of my department.
A Principal Officer inter-departmental mobility programme was introduced in late 2015 to provide a flexible system of managed mobility at PO level. It has been agreed by the Civil Service Management Board that at least 1 in every 6 vacancies that arises at Principal Officer level within a Department/Office will be advertised under the Principal Officer mobility protocol.
A centralised Civil Service Mobility scheme is currently under development on a phased basis:
- Phase 1A will be for the general Civil Service grades of Clerical Officer and Executive Officer for mobility between zones (all zones) and within zones (excluding Zone 46 – Dublin). This phase will launch very soon.
- Phase 1B will be for the general Civil Service grades of Clerical Officer and Executive Officer for mobility within the zone of Dublin. Anticipated launch mid-2018.
- Phase 2 will be for the general Civil Service grades of HEO, AO and AP. Anticipated launch end-2018.
Phase 1A of the scheme will subsume the current transfer mechanisms for the grades of Clerical Officer and Executive Officer.
Under this scheme an applicant will be automatically refused mobility opportunities if he or she has:
1. not yet successfully completed their probation period;
2. less than 2 years’ service in the current grade and organisation and geographical location;
3. a PMDS rating of ‘Unsatisfactory’ for the previous year;
4. sick leave of more than 56 days or 25 instances in the previous rolling four-year period (pro-rated);
5. a Performance Improvement Plan process in place;
6. an ongoing formal investigation under the Disciplinary Code which may lead to disciplinary action; and/or
7. an open disciplinary process in place.
288. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the issue of changing the compulsory retirement age for public servants in view of the fact that the State pension age is currently 66 and is projected to rise to 68 in 2018 further to a review of statutory and operational considerations which was carried out in early 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/17]
View answerAn Interdepartmental Working Group, chaired by my Department was established in 2016 to examine the issues arising from prevailing retirement ages for workers in both the public and private sectors, in the context of the current age of entitlement to the State Pension and the scheduled increases to the State Pension age in 2021 and 2028.
The Group, whose Report was agreed by Government in August 2016, considered policy around retirement age in both the public and private sectors, examining implications arising from retirement ages now and in the future. The Group identified a set of framework principles to underpin policy in the area and made a number of recommendations assigned to Government Departments and Employer bodies for follow-up in that regard. A copy of the Report is available online at http://www.per.gov.ie/en/report-of-the-interdepartmental-group-on-fuller-working-lives.
In respect of the public service, and on foot of one of the recommendations of the aforementioned Report, my Department, with Public Service employers, was tasked with reviewing the current statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pension. In the context of the review, which is well advanced, meetings were held with employers from all public service sectors, including the civil service, local authority and health sectors, supplemented by further interactions and discussions with the employers.
Future policy in this area will be considered by Government based on proposals which I intend bringing to Government shortly based on the outcome of the review.
Any change in the compulsory retirement ages for public servants would require primary legislation.
289. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the detail of the rules that came into effect regarding the change in the number of months a public servant can take by way of sick leave which was reduced from six months' full pay to three months and full pay; when the cumulative clock begins counting if sick leave taken prior to the commencement of the new rules in which the full three months or close to the three months has already been taken by a public servant; and the way in which this will impact on future sick leave (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46215/17]
View answerAs you are aware, the new Sick Leave Scheme was introduced following the enactment of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Act 2013 [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/47/enacted/en/html] by the Oireachtas to reduce the very high and unsustainable cost of sick leave in the public service.
Under the scheme, sick leave is paid at full pay for three months (i.e. 92 days) and at half pay for three months (i.e. 91 days) annually, subject to an overall limit of 6 months’ (i.e. 183 days) paid sick leave (at either full or half pay) in any four year period. Effectively the new Scheme halved the maximum entitlement to paid sick leave previously available, other than in the case of serious illness or injury.
In a situation where sick leave was taken prior to the introduction of the new Scheme it is taken into account in the following way:
Where an individual is out on sick leave their record over the previous four years is examined to determine if they have access to paid sick leave. This process is known as the ‘look back’ and is set out in the Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 124 of 2014) [http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2014/si/124/made/en/print]. Where they do have access to paid sick leave, their record over the last twelve months is examined to determine whether they can receive sick pay at the full or half rate of pay. Or where an individual has exhausted access to full or half pay they may have access to a further form payment called Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR).
This look back over an individual’s sick leave record is not a new concept. It was in place in relation to the calculation of sick leave pay in the old sick leave scheme and has continued under the current scheme. Any sick leave that occurred before the introduction of the new Scheme is taken into account in calculating access to paid sick leave.
The rationale for this was to ensure that the situation did not arise where every public servant’s sick leave record would be wiped clean on day one of the new Scheme. This would mean that individuals would have access to even greater levels of paid sick leave than they had before the new scheme was introduced. Public servants with a high rate of absenteeism would go back to having access to the full allowance of paid sick leave. This issue was considered and supported by the Labour Court in its Recommendation on sick pay in the public service (LCR20335 July 2012) on the basis that this approach would be substantially cost-increasing.
290. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the leave arrangements in circumstances in which a person is out due to serious sick leave in the public service (details supplied); the way these matters are dealt with at an operational level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46217/17]
View answerWhile I cannot comment on individual cases or circumstances, the following sets out the position in relation to the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme and provisions for serious illness. The Critical Illness Protocol (CIP) is the basis for access to extended sick leave which provides substantial additional protection to employees experiencing critical illnesses or serious injury.
Where an employee is given access to the critical illness provisions the Scheme provides for:
- Up to 365 days' paid sick leave in a four year period (comprising 183 days or 6 months on full pay in a one year period, followed by 182 days, a further 6 months, on half pay). This is the same as the access that existed under the previous sick leave schemes in place across much of the public service.
- Under a protective year provision, an employee who has taken sick leave because of a critical illness or injury will continue to have access to the extended sick pay limits for 12 months following the first day of the critical illness.
- An extended period of temporary rehabilitation remuneration (TRR) of up to 730 days (2 years) may be paid where it is a direct continuation of an illness under the CIP and
- A further period of sick leave is required to rehabilitate from the critical illness/injury;
- An occupational health physician certifies that there is a reasonable prospect of the employee returning to work and giving regular and effective service; and
- The decision to award the additional period of TRR is reviewed every 6 months.
An application under the CIP must be made by the Public Servant or on their behalf. The application is then assessed under certain criteria. These are set out in the CIP, available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform http://hr.per.gov.ie/sick-leave/. These are:
- The employee should be under the current or recent care of a consultant;
- The treating doctor’s medical reports must be furnished;
- The case must be referred by the employer to its Occupational Health Service who will advise whether, in their opinion, the following criteria are met:
- The employee is medically unfit to return to his/her current duties or (where practicable) modified duties in the same pay grade;
- The nature of this medical condition has at least one of the following characteristics;
1. Acute life threatening physical illness
2. Chronic progressive illness, with well-established potential to reduce life expectancy
3. Major physical trauma ordinarily requiring corrective acute operative surgical treatment
4. In-patient hospital care of two consecutive weeks or greater
Where an employee does not meet the medical criteria outlined above, management may still make a decision, in consultation with the Occupational Physician, to award extended sick pay in exceptional circumstances.
There are also provisions for the appeal of either the decision of the occupational health physician or that of management.
While I have outlined the general provisions of the Sick Leave Scheme that relate to critical illnesses, it is the severity of the employee's condition that is relevant in determining their access to paid sick leave.
291. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contracts his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have with a company (details supplied) or its subsidiaries; the value of the contracts; the year in which the contracts were concluded; when the contracts will be up for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46378/17]
View answerThe following table outlines the contracts my Department or bodies under the aegis of my Department have with the company (details supplied) or its subsidiaries:
|
Department/Office |
Purpose of Contract |
Date of Contract |
Expiry of Contract |
Value |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
Capita IB Solutions provide software support for the IPA finance system |
2011 |
2019 |
€12,000 per annum |
|
Office of Public Works |
Provision of managed services and annual maintenance and support of the Integra financial management system |
2005 |
2019 |
€48,947.92 per annum |
The Deputy may wish to be aware that Capita are on a number of Office of Government Procurement Frameworks, as listed below. It is a matter for individual Departments to consider drawing down on these frameworks.
- Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of External ICT Technical Support Services;
- OGP Managed Business Process Support Services Framework Agreement; and
- Multi Supplier Framework for the Provision of Storage Area Networks (SAN), Network Attached Storage (NAS), Servers, Converged Infrastructure, Associated Equipment and Service.
292. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if repair works to Ballymalis Castle, Beaufort, Killarney, County Kerry, include the provision of a viewing platform in view of the fact that it was formerly in place at the structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46387/17]
View answer293. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the start date of repair works to Ballymalis Castle, Beaufort, Killarney, County Kerry; the status of the project; the conclusion date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46388/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
Substantive conservation works have been underway at Ballymalis Castle for some time. The work, which principally involves the conservation of the Castle walls and also addresses some structural issues, is projected to continue until at least 2019 and possibly beyond. To date, repair & conservation of the Northern and Western walls have been advanced and the work will proceed to address the East and South Walls as resources permit and once the necessary Consent under National Monuments legislation has been obtained from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The work will include the reinstatement of the viewing platform at the site.
294. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the opening hours of St. Mary’s Abbey, Dublin 7; and his plans to increase the opening hours in order to promote more tourism in Dublin’s north inner city. [46439/17]
View answerThe St. Mary’s Abbey site was previously operated as a seasonal visitor site, with Guide services provided during a limited summer season. Owing to limited resources, this approach was altered in 2014 and access was instead provided on request only.
The site was closed to the public in 2016 when the OPW commenced a programme of works there. Pending completion of the works, the site will remain closed until at least mid 2018.
The Office of Public Works has recently engaged with Dublin City Council in relation to this site in relation to their strategy for the Inner City and intend to consult with them in relation to how it might be presented to the public in the future.
295. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names of the special advisers employed in his Department; the names of special advisers to junior ministers in his Department; the annual salary of each adviser; if these persons were special advisers immediately prior to taking up their current role or immediately prior to the June 2017 Cabinet reshuffle; if so, the Minister to whom they were appointed; the date each special adviser was appointed with effect as stated in the Government order; the date of the Government order; if they received a salary for the period before the appointment order was signed in the case of special advisers whose appointment order date has an effect date earlier than the order date; if so, by whom they were paid; if a special adviser during a period later backdated by appointment order had access to confidential material and-or Cabinet papers; if they were subject to the Official Secrets Act 1963 during this period; if any persons currently employed as special advisers have not yet been appointed by order since the Cabinet reshuffle of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46473/17]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that there are currently two Special Advisers employed in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Ms Deborah Sweeney was appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with effect from 15 June 2017 on 6 September 2017, in accordance with SI Ref No. 399 of 2017.
Mr Stephen Lynam was appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with effect from 15 June 2017 on 6 September 2017, in accordance with SI Ref. No 399 of 2017.
The government order S180/20/10/0314K approving their re-appointment is dated 6 September 2017 and covered the period from 15 June 2017. Both Special Advisers are subject to the Official Secrets Act, 1963.
Both Special Advisers are compensated on the third point of the Principal Officer PPC Scale at a rate of €88,392.
Both Ms Sweeney and Mr Lynam were Special Advisers to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform immediately prior to their re-appointment and their roles and responsibilities would have not had any significant change. The appointments were made in line with “Instructions to Personnel Officers - Ministerial Appointments for the 32nd Dáil” which include “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by my Department.
Following the resignation of the former Taoiseach, Minister Paschal Donohoe was also deemed to have resigned but carried out his duties until the new Taoiseach was appointed, i.e. 14 June 2017. Paschal Donohoe T.D. was re-appointed as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform with effect from 15 June 2017.
As the Special Advisers were re-appointed to their positions, they remained on the payroll between the appointment effective date of 15 June 2017 and the order date of 6 September 2017.
Patrick O’Donovan TD and Michael D'Arcy TD were appointed Ministers of State at the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform on 20 June 2017. The Ministers of State at my Department do not currently have Special Advisers appointed.
Office of Public Works
In accordance with the Government Order, S.I. No. 607 of 2016, Mr. Eugene Deering was appointed Special Adviser to Sean Canney, former Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, with effect from 15 November, 2016. The Order was dated 13 December, 2016 and covered the period from 15 November, 2016. Mr. Deering was placed on an annual salary of €65,000 from 15 November, 2017 and was subject to the Official Secrets Act, 1963.
Following the resignation of Minister Canney on 3 June, 2017, Mr. Deering’s contract ended. The new Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, appointed with effect from 3 June, 2017, required Mr. Deering to be his Special Adviser. Mr. Deering remained on the payroll from 3 June, 2017, with the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, pending the making of a Government Order.
Following the resignation of the former Taoiseach, Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran was deemed to have resigned but carried out his duties until the new Taoiseach was appointed, i.e. 14 June, 2017.
Kevin “Boxer” Moran, T.D., was re-appointed as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief with effect from 20 June, 2017. Mr. Deering was not paid for the period 15 June, 2017 to 19 June, 2017 (both dates inclusive) and was issued with a new contract effective from 20 June, 2017. A Government Order S.I. No. 416 of 2017 appointed Mr. Deering as Special Adviser to Kevin “Boxer” Moran, with effect from 20 June, 2017. The Order was signed on 6 September, 2017.
296. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding his plans to unwind the FEMPI legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46763/17]
View answerOn Monday the 18th of September the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions endorsed the terms of the recently negotiated extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement on pay and reform in the public service.
This Public Service Stability Agreement will run from 2018 to 2020 by which point pay will be fully restored to all public servants earning up to €70,000, which is equal to almost 90 per cent of public servants. Benefits to different income groups are progressive and weighted towards the lower paid with pay increases ranging from 7.4 per cent to 6.2 per cent over three years.
This Agreement achieves the right balance between addressing the legitimate expectations of public service workers for increases in their pay and ensuring that the Government continues to exercise a prudent approach to the overall management of our public finances while securing industrial peace to support the ongoing delivery of our public services.
The improvements in pay provided for in this Agreement mark another important step in the gradual normalisation of our collective bargaining approach to pay arrangements in the public service through the process of unwinding the FEMPI legal framework on pay that has been in place for the last number of years.
A copy of the Agreement can be found on the Department's website: http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/LRA-extension.pdf.
297. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which a company (details supplied) has use of a building in St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46852/17]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works granted permission to the RPA (Rail Procurement Agency) for the installation of a venting shaft in one section of the disused toilet block situated on the perimeter of St. Stephen’s Green Park, adjacent to the Luas track.
OPW also agreed to an arrangement with the current TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), previously the RPA and their Agent (Luas Operator) to the use of the remaining section of the building, the toilets, for their Luas drivers. They are also responsible for the maintenance of same.
298. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the pension entitlements of community employment scheme supervisors in County Wexford and the implementation of Labour Court recommendation LRC19293; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46882/17]
View answerI would like to refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 156, 43759/17, answered on 17 October 2017.
299. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if stonemasons are being recruited by the OPW; if so, the criteria for persons who wish to apply; and if there are vacancies for same. [46946/17]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is not currently conducting open recruitment to the craft position of Stonemason. There are no current plans for future recruitment to that position. Notices of open recruitment to craft positions in the OPW are advertised on www.opw.ie and in the relevant local newspapers.
300. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the real per capita public capital expenditure by county; and the expenditure by NUTS 3 region, in tabular form. [47022/17]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is responsible for setting the overall allocations (capital and current) across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not currently monitor capital expenditure by county or NUTS 3 region. Arising from the review of the Capital Plan and IMF Public Investment Management Assessment my Department will be examining reporting arrangements for public capital investment in the context of the development and implementation of the forthcoming 10-year plan.
301. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the additional funding arising from the mid-term capital review for infrastructure investment at heritage sites will enable the OPW to proceed with the phase 2 restoration works to Maynooth Castle, Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47053/17]
View answerAs indicated in the replies to earlier Question No. 362, 25530/17, on 30th May last, Maynooth Castle is not at this stage considered to offer a significant potential for tourism generation, which is the primary focus of the Fáilte Ireland – funded Tourism Investment Programme 2016 – 2021, and it is not being considered as an early candidate site for development in this regard.
The Mid Term Capital Review process has not offered any significant change to this position.
302. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to organise the removal of a tree (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47103/17]
View answerThe tree referred to by the Deputy is in a channel, which is maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act.
Following a site visit, arrangements are being made to facilitate the removal of the tree.
303. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will contribute to the funding of a second sexual abuse and violence study, SAVI 2, here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/17]
View answerMy Department has a valuable role to play in ensuring that children and young people's awareness of their right to bodily integrity is reinforced at every level of the education system. Respect for other people and a zero tolerance of any form of abuse whether physical, emotional or sexual is a core principle of how our educators teach and how children and young people learn and interact with each other.
However, sexual abuse and violence is a crime and funding research into crime is not a core aspect of my Department's business.
304. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all front-line staff, including but not exclusive of primary, secondary and third level education staff, receive suicide prevention training; if suicide prevention training is mandatory for front-line staff under the aegis of his Department; and if not, if he will make such training mandatory with the provision of a refresher online course available to staff to be completed every three years thereafter. [45655/17]
View answerMy Department is strongly supportive of the promotion of positive mental health awareness in schools. The Department adopts a holistic and integrated approach to supporting the work of schools in promoting positive mental health and to supporting those with a broad range of problems, behavioural emotional and social.
The processes span the curriculum in schools, whole-school ethos, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, student support and pastoral care and the provision of professional development for teachers. It also involves other supports such as educational psychological services and guidance and counselling services, and the interface with other agencies, both nationally and locally. Schools also engage in a wide range of sport and cultural co-curricular activities which provide an important opportunity for students to experience success and personal growth. One of the objectives of initial teacher education and CPD programmes is to provide teachers with an understanding of child development and wellbeing.
Wellbeing Guidelines for Post-Primary (2013) and Primary Schools (2015) have been developed by my Department in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive. The guidelines are informed by consultation with key Education and Health partners and by the findings of research. They provide practical guidance to schools on how they can promote mental health and wellbeing in an integrated school-wide way and they also provide evidence-based advice on how to support young people who may be at risk of suicidal behaviour.
My Department in collaboration with the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has recently commenced a pilot programme of training in SafeTALK (suicide awareness skills) on a voluntary basis for teachers. The Learning from this pilot phase will help determine the appropriate training needs for teachers at primary and post primary level.
NOSP provides training courses in Safe Talk, ASIST and ASIST Tune Up which can be accessed by any professionals including third level staff.
305. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45673/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the 2-teacher school in question submitted an application to my Department for funding to construct a General Purpose (GP) Room and for prefab replacement.
The application was considered in the context of the very significant challenges facing my Department in prioritising available capital funding for essential mainstream classrooms to meet the demand for extra school places and in cases where additional teachers have been appointed. An additional teacher has not been appointed to the school concerned. In the circumstances, my Department advised the school that it is not in a position to provide funding for a GP Room.
With regard to prefab replacement, over the lifetime of my Department's Capital Programme, it is my intention to replace all purchased temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established. To enable this development, my Department will be carrying out an assessment of the number of prefabs being used in all schools, including the school to which the Deputy refers, to deliver the curriculum. This will also determine whether or not individual prefabs need to be replaced in the context of the long-term accommodation needs of each individual school. When completed, this assessment will quantify the number of prefabs to be replaced. The school authority has also been advised accordingly.
