Written Answers Nos 1 to 36
2. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to a report from the IMF (details supplied) that makes a range of recommendations regarding public-private partnerships, PPPs, including that the State begin using a cost-benefit analysis of them. [53507/17]
View answerI should first explain that Public Private Partnerships are already subject to a strong public investment management methodology, which includes appraisal. The Deputy may be referring to a recommendation made as part of the recent IMF PIMA report, to the effect that appraisals should be published on a more systematic basis.
The National Development Finance Agency was established in 2003 under the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002. The role of the NDFA is to advise State Authorities on the optimum means of financing public investment projects in order to achieve value for money and to provide advice in relation to all aspects of financing, refinancing and insurance, including risk analysis, of public investment projects. All PPP projects involving the use of private finance must be referred to the NDFA. In addition, all projects valued at €20 million or above, whether traditional or PPP, must be referred to the NDFA for advice.
The Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA) mission to Ireland was undertaken by the IMF in July this year. The final report was published on my Department’s website (www.per.gov.ie) on 10 November 2017.
The report and its recommendations are the work of an expert team from the IMF who were invited to assess our public investment institutions to evaluate the design and effectiveness of the institutions that shape decision-making at the three key stages of the public investment cycle:
- planning investment;
- allocating investment to the right sectors; and
- implementing investment.
The PIMA report concluded that, overall, Ireland manages its public infrastructure relatively well. It highlights both strengths and weaknesses and contains a number of recommendations to improve future performance in terms of the efficiency of public capital investment.
One of the recommendations in the PIMA report is for the publication of the results of cost-benefit analysis on Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, and the criteria used to select them.
As the Deputy will be aware, PPPs are subjected to the same robust and rigorous project appraisal process as traditionally procured projects. In ensuring Departments obtain the best value-for-money from public capital investment PPPs, just as traditionally procured projects, are subject to the requirements contained in the Public Spending Code.
The Public Spending Code encompasses guidance on a variety of issues related to the management of expenditure at each stage of the expenditure lifecycle. This includes central guidance on the application of appraisal and evaluation methodologies including cost benefit analysis. This methodological guidance aims to enhance consistency across sectors through common approaches and the use of key technical parameter values needed for quantifying costs and conducting economic appraisals.
While there is already significant guidance and data published on PPPs I acknowledge that the publication of cost-benefit analysis on PPP projects would provide greater transparency in reporting on PPP projects. However, in assessing the implementation of the PIMA recommendation, it would be important to take into account the commercial sensitivity of specific data included in the appraisal of PPPs.
An inter-Departmental and Agency Group was established earlier this year to make recommendations on the future role of PPPs, in the context of the new 10 year capital plan. The group comprises relevant officials from the Departments and agencies with experience of procuring projects by PPP. As part of its work, the group is considering the recommendations made in the PIMA report that relate to PPPs, including the recommendation in relation to publication of CBAs for PPP projects, to inform future decision-making on these matters. I expect the Group's deliberations to be completed alongside the finalisation of the new 10-year capital plan, which is currently being developed by my Department to support the implementation of the Ireland 2040 Plan detailing the new National Planning Framework.
8. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to improve the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit. [53246/17]
View answerEach Minister is ultimately responsible for appointments to boards under their aegis and must have regard to the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards. Relevant issues relating to the effective operation of each board, including those such as diversity, gender balance and mix of expertise and skill sets are for each Minister to consider.
As set out in the Guidelines, compliance with the Government Decision of 23 July 2014 on Gender Balance on State Boards is an essential requirement.
These requirements include:
- Each Department should prepare a plan to reaffirm and achieve the target of at least 40% for representation of each gender on State Boards within its remit during the lifetime of the present Government.
- Departments should maintain a particular focus on those Boards on which either women or men are currently significantly under-represented and should actively seek to appoint candidates of the under-represented gender from the PAS short list.
- Departments should in the case of Boards which have already achieved the 40% target seek to move towards 45% of each gender as a new target for gender equality.
Indications are that 48% of State boards have reached the target of a minimum of 40% female membership set by the Government and indeed that some 35% of boards have met the higher 45% target. This compares very favourably with the private sector, with a figure of somewhere around 13% female participation. The position on individual State boards is a matter for the relevant Minister.
Up to the end of September this year, over 500 appointments have been made under the new system. Some 30% of over 8,700 applications received for state board appointment came from women, who made up some 45% of the appointments made.
The Board of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the only State Board under the aegis of my Department. The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, which established PAS, specifies that the chairperson and ordinary members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in consultation with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Act also specifies that in appointing persons as members of the Board the Minister shall ensure that:
- at least 2 of them have either or both civil service and other public service experience and knowledge which the Minister considers relevant, and
- at least 2 of them have expertise in human resource management, customer service and recruitment outside the public service which the Minister considers relevant.
Up until recently, five of the nine members (or 55%) were women, including the 3 positions recruited through the State Board process operated by PAS. However, two of these three positions are currently vacant but are in the process of being filled through the PAS process and the issue of gender balance will be considered along with other issues. There is also a third vacancy which is normally filled following a recommendation from the Minister for Justice and Equality.
15. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the rolling selective spending review process which will take place in his Department between 2017 and 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53247/17]
View answerAs part of my Estimates speech on Budget day last year I announced that a spending review would take place on a three-year rolling basis.
The first cycle of the Spending Review in 2017, which culminated in the publication of over 20 analytical papers on Spending Review topics, was successfully completed in October following the publication of Budget 2018. This was the first cycle of a series of selective reviews of the current expenditure base that will remain in place for a 3-year period, thereby informing the preparation of the next two Budgets.
In advance of Budget 2019, the Spending Review in 2018 will examine the next phase of expenditure topics. It is planned that the remaining phase of current expenditure topics will be covered the following year. The primary objective of the Spending Review in 2018 is to build on the work completed in 2017 and continue to reinforce the use of data, evidence and analysis to support decision-making in the Estimates process.
As the Deputy will be aware, there are a number of significant risks - both internal and external - to the sustainability of our current growth and fiscal performance. These require that Government secure the continuation of sound public finances to underpin sustainable economic growth. The experience from recent years is that this is best achieved by allocating scarce resources in the most efficient and effective way. The Spending Review is a key tool that can enable the achievement of this goal.
Preparations for the second cycle of spending review are underway and the process will formally begin in January 2018.
16. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address pay inequality within the public sector. [53243/17]
View answerThe issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA).
From 1 November 2013 pre and post-2011 pay scales were merged into a single consolidated scale applicable to each grade. Generally, the third point of 1 November 2013 pay scale is equivalent to the first point of the pre 2011 scale. Certain allowances, previously available to new entrants, were also restored under the flexibility provided for by the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
In general, there are no new entrant scales anymore, there are new scales that start at a lower point i.e. the two initial points on the merged scales.
The Deputy will also be aware that the benefits of the new Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, now ratified by the Public Services Committee of the ICTU, are progressively weighted in favour of new entrants.
The PSSA also recognises the issues of concern in relation to the salaries of new entrants and commits all parties to an examination of these matters within 12 months of the commencement of the Agreement. The first, exploratory meeting, with the full complement of Trade Unions and staff associations, took place on 12 October. This meeting, based on the contributions of all parties, agreed an outline process of oversight and data gathering. This process will be overseen by the Oversight Body for the PSSA. Further engagement will be undertaken over the coming months with those parties that have signed up to the Agreement.
An amendment to the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017 was agreed during Committee Stage on Tuesday 5 December. This allows for a report to be prepared and laid before the Oireachtas on the cost of and a plan in dealing with pay equalisation for new entrants to the public service, within three months of the passing of the Act.
19. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding for the flood relief works that are needed in Mountmellick and Portarlington, County Laois will be committed to once a final plan is presented by Laois County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53248/17]
View answer25. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount available over the next two years for flood relief works; if he will assign a sufficient amount for capital works in the Mountmellick and Portarlington areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53249/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 25 together.
The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 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 Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding.
The CFRAM programme has examined flood risk in the towns of Mountmellick and Portarlington and has identified proposed feasible measures to protect properties assessed as being at risk. This entails the construction of flood defences, consisting of embankments and walls. The OPW has consulted with communities in Mountmellick and Portarlington to ensure their knowledge, views and concerns in relation to flood risk are taken on board. There was an extensive response to the public consultation on the draft Flood Plans and constructive and wide-ranging observations were provided.
The Government has agreed an increased allocation of funding for flood relief activities totalling €430m in its Capital Investment Plan for the period 2016-2021 with the annual budget allocation rising from €45m to €100m by 2021. The capital allocation included in the Plan for flood risk management in 2018 is €70m and in 2019 is €80m.
The final Plans are currently undergoing an independent review of the environmental assessments by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I would hope early in 2018, to seek the approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM process.
Thereafter, I would hope to announce the proposed structural measures contained within those Plans that will be taken, through a prioritised approach over the coming years, to detailed design to protect those communities at assessed risk. This detailed design will include further environmental assessments, public consultation and cost reviews to ensure the project level measures are sustainable and cost beneficial. The OPW will work closely with Local Authorities to progress the effective implementation of these projects and, in certain exceptional circumstances, such as in Mountmellick, will engage proactively with the Local Authority in considering an appropriate response to address urgently the flooding in the town. In this regard I understand that the Chief Executive of Laois County Council has written to the OPW in relation to the recent flooding in Mountmellick and a meeting is to be arranged shortly to discuss the matter.
22. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to develop a co-ordinated national coastal plan to prioritise the inhabited areas most at risk and to develop a unified approach to the management of coastal erosion nationwide. [53063/17]
View answerThe primary objective of Government policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss of economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by Local Authorities to protect those assets. Where such measures are economically justified on cost benefit grounds and compatible with all required environmental and other statutory requirements, they are implemented subject to the availability of resources.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. The relevant reports and associated predictive erosion hazard mapping (to 2050) may be viewed at www.opw.ie .
This Study has surveyed and assessed the coastal erosion risk along the entire national coastline and this information is available to all Local Authorities to enable them to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties including the identification, prioritisation and, subject to the availability of resources, the implementation of coastal protection works both of a structural and non-structural nature.
The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant central Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Given an intervention within a coastal area may cause problems further along the coast, any proposed intervention measures by a Local Authority are best developed in conjunction with a formal coastal erosion risk management study which has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options.
The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which applications for funding from local authorities are considered for measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal erosion risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects which meet the eligibility criteria including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial.
The OPW has published guidelines for coastal erosion risk management measures and funding applications under the Minor Works Scheme, available on the OPW website www.opw.ie.
23. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by Department and public body and the total cost of public relations services in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53431/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established in 2011. Therefore, this reply covers the period since then.
The following tables reflect the amount spent by the Department and the bodies under its aegis on public relations services in the period in question:
|
Name of Service Provider |
Amount Spent € |
Purpose |
Body |
|
Mindshare Media Ireland Ltd.(2017) |
€145,441.83 |
Communications Campaign – Promoting awareness and benefits of the Public Services Card/MyGovID |
Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (DPER) |
|
Inventive Marketing Ltd T/A KICK Communications (2017) |
€59,998.17 |
Communications Campaign – Promoting awareness and benefits of the Public Services Card/MyGovID |
Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (DPER) |
|
Name of Service Provider |
Amount Spent € |
Purpose |
Body |
|
Q4PR (2011-2017) |
€26,900.94 |
Promotion of National Conference, conferences, seminars, Administration Yearbook and Diary |
IPA |
|
Name of Service Provider |
Amount Spent € |
Purpose |
Body |
|
|
Murrays Consultants (2015 – 2016) |
€26,973.61 |
Registration of Lobbying |
Office of the Ombudsman |
|
|
Chemistry (2015) |
€2,460.00 |
Registration of Lobbying |
Office of the Ombudsman |
|
Name of Service Provider |
Amount Spent |
Purpose |
Body |
|
Wilson Hartnell Public Relations (2012 – 2014) |
€21,290.00 |
To assist in marketing and public relations related functions |
Public Appointments Service |
|
Q4 Public Relations(2017) |
€47,970 |
To assist in marketing and public relations functions |
Public Appointments Service |
|
Name of Service Provider |
Amount Spent |
Purpose |
Body |
|
Bowe Communications(2017) |
€14,145.00 |
PR work relating to Castletown House and Demesne |
Office of Public Works |
|
Q4PR Consultants(2017) |
€2,798.25 |
National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management |
Office of Public Works |
|
Q4PR Consultants(2014 – 2015) |
€35,054.88 |
National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management |
Office of Public Works |
|
Presence Communications(2014 – 2016) |
€21,054.16 |
PR work relating to Castletown House and Demesne, Casino Marino and Dublin Castle |
Office of Public Works |
Information in relation to other Government Departments and bodies under their aegis should be the subject of separate Parliamentary Questions to the relevant Ministers.
24. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the steps being taken to prevent further damage to dunes at Portrane, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53466/17]
View answerThe problem of coastal erosion at Portrane is being addressed by Fingal County Council. The Council applied for and was approved funding of €57,800 in 2012 under the Office of Public Works' Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to carry out a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Study of Portrane to Rush. This study was completed and the Council has been working on the basis of its findings to identify an environmentally and economically viable solution to strengthen and rehabilitate the dune system at this location.
I am advised that the Council has established a local community liaison group and is working with it on the issue.
The Office of Public Works is not currently in receipt of an application from the Council under the Minor Works Scheme for works at Portrane. The OPW will liaise with the Council as appropriate in this regard should an application be received.
26. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the existing public sector pay agreements are helping to address staff shortages in front-line public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50835/17]
View answerSince Q4 2013 Public Service numbers have increased by nearly 30,000. Over 20,000 of those were recruited in the Health and Education sectors. Adjusting for transfers of functions between Departments, both the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills have higher staffing levels now than in 2008.
Furthermore there has been a shift from administrative staff to front-line service delivery. For example in Health since 2008 there has been a reduction of approx 5,000 management, admin and general support staff numbers and an equivalent increase in doctors, dentists, health and social care professionals. In education there are over 8,000 more teachers than 2008.
This level of recruitment has largely been possible because of the certainty provided to fiscal planning by the Lansdowne Road Agreement and its successor the Public Service Stability Agreement. By phasing the unwinding of the emergency legislation over a number of years with ring-fenced allocations, sufficient resources were available to make progress on other societal priorities such as providing significant additional front-line staff in our schools and hospitals.
Looking forward the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 provides for the Public Service Pay Commission to engage in a comprehensive examination of certain specialist areas within the public service where recruitment and retention issues may be arising.
Where a difficulty is identified, the Commission will examine the full range of causal factors including matters such as the totality of the current remuneration package, planned future pay adjustments, alleviations from current rates of the PRD as provided for in the PSSA and FEMPI pay unwinding post 2020.
27. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the commitment in respect of the completion of the A5 motorway to Derry and Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53263/17]
View answerI refer to the reply by the Taoiseach to PQ 51982 on 5 December last.
Under the Fresh Start Agreement concluded in 2015 between the British and Irish Governments and the main political parties in the North, the Irish Government reaffirmed its existing commitment to providing funding of £50 million for the A5 Western Transport Corridor serving the North West and also committed an additional £25m to the project.
A Senior Officials Group was subsequently established to monitor progress in taking forward the range of infrastructure commitments contained in Fresh Start including the A5 Western Transport Corridor. This group is co-chaired by senior officials from the Department of Infrastructure Northern Ireland and the Department of the Taoiseach. This group meets on a regular basis throughout the year; it has met 7 times in total with its last meeting on 7 November 2017.
On 28 November 2017, the Department of Infrastructure Northern Ireland announced the decision to proceed with the A5 Western Transport Corridor scheme and it is currently finalising preparations to enable work to start in 2018.
As part of the work of the Senior Officials Group, the Department of the Taoiseach has been in contact at official level with key stakeholders in the A5 project including the Department of Infrastructure Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council and other UK Government Officials. These contacts have referenced phase 1 of the project in recent weeks once it became clear that a start date was envisaged in 2018. A final decision in respect of the A5 alignment is a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities.
28. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when flood defence construction works will advance in the upper Lee for areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53474/17]
View answerThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. 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 Programme is focussing on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, identified as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary are AFAs under the Programme.
The proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are outlined in the final Flood Risk Management Plans that propose feasible flood relief works for each of Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary including flood walls and embankments . A Ballingeary Hydrometric Monitoring Regime is also proposed, to include the installation of hydrometric gauges on the Bunsheelin River and River Lee. Subject to Ministerial approval, where a measure has been proposed in the Plans, their progression to detailed design, further environmental assessments, public consultation and cost review.
The final Plans are currently undergoing an independent review of the strategic level environmental assessments by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Once this independent review of all Plans is completed and observations addressed, I would hope by early 2018, to seek the approval from the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for the 29 Flood Risk Management Plans developed under the CFRAM process.
Thereafter, I would hope to announce the proposed structural measures contained within those Plans that will be taken, through a prioritised approach over the coming years, to detailed design to protect those communities at assessed risk.
29. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proposed outcomes under the third progress report on the implementation of the Civil Service renewal plan and, in particular, on the way in which the 25 specific actions in four key areas will improve the performance of Departments of State which have been the subject of recent public criticism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53253/17]
View answerThe Civil Service Renewal Plan was published on 30 October 2014. The plan forms part of the Government’s wider public service reform programme. The Plan sets out a vision and 3 year action plan to achieve it. It outlines 25 practical actions that will create a more unified, professional, responsive, open and accountable Civil Service that can provide a world-class service to the State and the people of Ireland. The actions included in the Plan build on the existing strengths of the Civil Service and identifies areas which require improvement to enhance the capacity and capability of the system to meet existing and future challenges. Its latest progress report, published in June 2017, details the progress made on implementation to date.
Significant achievements to date include: the introduction of a new Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service; the development of a new People Strategy; the introduction of talent management programmes; a programme to improve project management capacity; a continuous programme of open recruitment; a new Disciplinary Code and revised performance management ratings system; a programme of organisational capability reviews and ongoing staff communications and engagement including through the Civil Service Employee Engagement Surveys.
A new shared model for learning and development, One Learning, has also been introduced to provide tailored training solutions and development opportunities for staff. New Civil Service wide mobility schemes are being implemented across the Civil Service to enhance workforce capability, support career development and facilitate relocation of staff. The Renewal Programme also encompasses the implementation of the ICT Strategy and major transformation programme for Shared Services in the Civil Service. Work has also progressed to promote the value of the National Data Infrastructure (NDI) in meeting known and emerging data needs in the Public service.
These actions combined are enabling the Civil Service to build strong and agile organisations, to continue to develop staff and thus improve the services provided to the Government and to citizens.
30. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the pension and public pay restoration to be carried out under FEMPI by Department and public body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53430/17]
View answerPublic pay and pension restoration by Departments and public bodies has been and will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA):
www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Public-Service-Stability-Agreement-2013-2018.pdf.
and the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA):
www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/LRA-extension.pdf.
Pay increases under the LRA were as follows:
2016
- 1st January annualised salaries up to €24,000 are increased by 2.5%.
- 1st January annualised salaries from €24,001 up to €31,000 are increased by 1%.
2017
- 1st September annualised salaries up to €65,000 are increased by €1,000.
Pay increases under PSSA are scheduled as follows:
2018
- 1st January annualised salaries to increase by 1%;
- 1st October annualised salaries to increase by 1%.
2019
- 1st January annualised salaries up to €30,000 to increase by 1%;
- 1st September annualised salaries to increase by 1.75%.
2020
- 1st January annualised salaries up to €32,000 to increase by 0.5%;
- 1st October annualised salaries to increase by 2%.
Pension Related Deduction changes under the LRA were as follows
- 1 January 2016 exemption threshold for payment of Pension Related Deduction (PRD) increased from €15,000 per annum to €24,750 per annum
- 1 September 2016 the exemption threshold increased further to €28,750.
Conversion of the Pension Related Deductions to the Additional Supperanuation Contribution under the PSSA are as follows
Public Servants who are Members of pre-2013 Pension Schemes with Standard Accrual Terms 1 January 2019
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €32,000 |
Exempt |
|
€32,000 to €60,000 |
10% |
|
€60,000 plus |
10.5% |
1 January 2020
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €34,500 |
Exempt |
|
€34,500 to €60,000 |
10% |
|
€60,000 plus |
10.5% |
All Public Servants who are Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme 1 January 2019
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €32,000 |
Exempt |
|
€32,000 to €60,000 |
6.66% |
|
€60,000 plus |
7% |
1 January 2020
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €34,500 |
Exempt |
|
€34,500 to €60,000 |
3.33% |
|
€60,000 plus |
3.5% |
Public Servants who are Members of pre-2013 Pension Schemes with Fast Accrual Terms (Unchanged)
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €28,750 |
Exempt |
|
€28,750 to €60,000 |
10% |
|
€60,000 plus |
10.5% |
31. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the key actions to improve public services under the Our Public Service 2020 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53254/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a new phase for public service reform was set out in Our Public Service 2020, which was published earlier this week.
Our Public Service 2020 aims to deliver better outcomes for the public, to support innovation and collaboration and to build public service organisations that are resilient and agile. There are 18 actions in the framework which is built on three key pillars as follows:
Delivering for Our Public focuses on ensuring that outcomes for the public are central to service delivery. This will be achieved by involving the public in the design and delivery of services, by improving how we listen and communicate, and by ensuring services are cost-effective. By making better use of new technology and data we will also improve service quality and accessibility . The five actions under this pillar will build on existing progress in areas such as shared services and procurement. The development of digital services and eGovernment is key to improving service delivery as is making better use of data and sharing data more effectively between organisations.
Innovating for Our Future has six actions that will enable the development of innovative, robust and joined-up strategies and policies related to the delivery of public services. This pillar will also support collaboration across the public service and help make the most of existing skills and experiences, and data. It will also promote a culture of evaluation. The public service needs to be increasingly innovative and collaborative to effectively respond to the complex challenges facing Ireland now and into the future.
Developing Our People and Organisations has seven actions which will support public servants and the organisations in which they work. The pillar aims to improve human resource management and to ensure the right mix of skills and tools are there to support public servants in delivering quality services. The actions in this pillar will help to build strong and agile public service organisations. Actions focus on sharing best practice and experience in areas such as strategic human resource management, workforce planning, employee engagement, public service culture and values, and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Implementation will be supported by promoting shared ownership of actions across the public service and by ensuring a strong emphasis on evaluating reforms.
32. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if studies have taken place to determine the number of persons displaced by the retirement age, impacting on those 65 to 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53250/17]
View answerAs this is a voluntary measure for existing public servants with a compulsory retirement age of 65, giving them the option to work until 70, it provides an ongoing opportunity to public servants to exercise their retirement option anytime from age 65 to age 70. This will be influenced by the personal circumstances of each individual, which may be subject to ongoing consideration as those personal circumstances change during their retirement horizon. Accordingly, it is difficult to estimate the impact of this measure in the future. However, high level analysis carried out by my Department indicates that in the region of 1,300 public servants recruited before 1 April 2004 reach the age of 65 in a given year and would potentially benefit from the measure. Also, based on existing retirement behaviour of public servants, it would be expected that as these employees will be in a position to retire on pension from age 65, there will be a continuing trend towards retirement over subsequent years. On this basis, it is expected that numbers within the cohort will steadily reduce over time between the ages of 65 and 70.
34. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans arising from a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53433/17]
View answerResponsibility for policy decisions in this area are the responsibility of the Minister for Health.
The Deputy is referring to a paper, titled ‘Disability and Special Education Related Expenditure’, which was prepared by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service in the context of the Spending Review 2017 and was published in October. This was a cross-vote analysis of disability related expenditure across the Health, Education and Social Protection Votes. The Health chapter outlines the trend in Disability spend in recent years and highlights the substantial increase in funding that the service area has received since 2014. The paper identifies the main expenditure areas and provides some commentary on the way in which disability services are currently provided. This type of analysis helps to inform and encourage debate on key policy areas.
35. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the €788 million below profile announced in the fiscal monitor will be returned to the central fund or if the funds will be kept in each Department in the event that spending projections across Departments are not met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53463/17]
View answerAs set out in the Fiscal Monitor for November, published by the Department of Finance, net voted expenditure was €788 million or 1.9% below profile. However, this aggregate underspend versus profile has been impacted by almost €0.4 billion by certain timing issues in relation to the Local Government Fund.
Current expenditure in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is over €260 million below profile. This is due to the fact that full draw down from the Local Government Fund sub-head will be completed in December instead of November.
Net Capital expenditure in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is €147 million below profile primarily due to the timing of a receipt of €129 million from the Local Government Fund. This amount was received in November but had been profiled for December.
Excluding these items, net current expenditure at the end of November is just under €70 million below profile and net capital expenditure is €326 million below profile. As outlined in the Appropriation Bill 2017, published on 7 December, a sum of €70.3 million in capital underspends from 2017 is available for spending in 2018 under the multiannual capital envelopes carryover facility. However, given the aggregate level of underspends at the end of November, after taking account of the timing issues and capital carryover, it is likely that there will be amounts surrendered by Departments at the end of the year.
In addition, the Deputy may wish to note that due to the scale of overall expenditure, and the cash basis of Government accounting, Supplementary Estimates can be required arising from policy decisions, overruns, timing issues or shifts in expenditure requirements. As we are operating under the fiscal rules that apply under the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact, Supplementary Estimates need to be accommodated within the requirements of the fiscal rules. Additional expenditure requirements in one Department may be offset by underspends in other areas. In this context, underspends surrendered to the Exchequer at the year-end will mitigate the impact of the Supplementary Estimates approved by the Dáil last week.
36. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Irish embassies worldwide which have enterprise attachés stationed; and the number of such attachés stationed in each such specific embassy by city and country. [53667/17]
View answerThe establishment of a network of locally hired Commercial Attachés was one of the key components of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Economic Diplomacy Strategy launched in January 2016. The initiative was designed to bolster the capacity of our Mission network in selected locations to support economic promotion under the Department’s ‘Prosperity’ high level goal. Its focus was to improve our capacity to support market diversity. The selection of Missions for this pilot was based on a number of criteria, including the need for a variety of markets conditions, the strength of the submission by the relevant Mission in support of such an appointment, cost effectiveness, and the potential to support the economic state agencies in advancing our trade goals.
Under the initial phase of the pilot scheme attachés were appointed in Mexico City, Brasilia, Buenos Aires (also covering Chile), Bucharest (also covering Bulgaria), and Jakarta. Economic Development Officers are also in place in Abuja, Nairobi, and Hanoi. The post in Mexico City is currently vacant due to a change in personnel but is expected to be filled by a new officer in the New Year.
Working closely with the economic state agencies and with Trade Division within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the posts have facilitated trade promotion in such areas as market access, visibility, contact and information, market intelligence, and support to businesses. Under the direction of the diplomatic officers, they have enabled the Missions to advance their economic goals.
The Commercial Attachés and Economic Development Officers participated in the recent Team Ireland Conference at Croke Park. The Conference, jointly hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation involved representatives from the Departments and economic state agencies involved in economic promotion overseas.
