Written Answers Nos. 1-29
5. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount allocated in the 2017 capital plan; the amount spent on projects in each Department in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2231/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the allocations for both current and capital expenditure in any given year are set out in the Revised Estimates Volume. The allocations are discussed by the relevant committee before they are brought back to the Dáil for vote.
I have arranged for the gross and net capital allocations for 2017 to be set out for the Deputy in the tabular format requested in her question and will forward it to her in due course. The table includes adjustments made by way of Further Revised Estimates and Supplementary Estimates. The table also includes the indicative net outturn for 2017. The overall allocations are in line with the fiscal rules in which we operate under the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact.
Sustainable public finances are, of course, essential to support growth in the economy and build resilience to respond to potential adverse economic and fiscal developments. Budget 2018 set out prudent sustainable growth in public expenditure. On Budget day, I announced an additional allocation of capital expenditure of €4.3 billion over the next four years up to the end of our existing Capital Plan. This additional capital investment set out on Budget day for schools, hospitals housing and public transport will continue to support economic growth, enhance the economy's resilience and help maintain international competitiveness in terms of both trade and attractiveness to foreign direct investment.
I am satisfied that this new planned level of public capital investment represents an appropriate balance between the need for additional investment to realise the economy's long-term growth potential, the capacity of the economy to deliver additional public infrastructure consistent with fiscal and macroeconomic sustainability, and the need to adhere to the responsible spending path agreed by Government with reference to the requirements of the EU Fiscal Rules.
In the meantime, the delivery of a large number of public capital investment projects and programmes is proceeding. While the position in relation to any individual project is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant responsible Minister, the review of the capital plan, includes an update for each Department setting out the significant progress already being made in relation to implementation. A copy of the review has been supplied to all Deputies. My Department also published a major projects tracker on its website (www.per.gov.ie), providing an update on progress on all significant projects and programmes with a value in excess of €20m. The project tracker will be updated in 2018 as details become available in relation to the 2018 outturn on individual projects.
|
Votes - Government Departments |
Gross Capital |
Net Capital |
Net Outturn |
|
V7 - DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE |
2,274 |
2,274 |
21 |
|
V9 - OFFICE OF THE REVENUE COMMISSIONERS |
23,000 |
23,000 |
18,946 |
|
V11 - PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND REFORM |
8,535 |
8,535 |
7,691 |
|
V13 - OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS |
126,049 |
124,049 |
122,470 |
|
V17 - PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE |
635 |
635 |
535 |
|
V18 - NATIONAL SHARED SERVICES OFFICE |
14,289 |
14,289 |
7,464 |
|
V20 - GARDA SÍOCHÁNA |
89,070 |
89,070 |
80,163 |
|
V21 - PRISONS |
22,330 |
22,330 |
20,097 |
|
V22 - COURTS SERVICE |
60,683 |
60,683 |
54,435 |
|
V23 - PROPERTY REGISTRATION AUTHORITY |
560 |
560 |
545 |
|
V24 - JUSTICE AND EQUALITY |
7,405 |
7,405 |
2,830 |
|
V25 - IRISH HUMAN RIGHTS & EQUALITY COMMISSION |
100 |
100 |
565 |
|
V26 - EDUCATION AND SKILLS |
693,350 |
690,500 |
690,741 |
|
V27 - INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION |
500 |
500 |
1,000 |
|
V28 - FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE |
10,500 |
10,500 |
11,679 |
|
V29 - COMMUNICATIONS, CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENT |
170,964 |
170,964 |
151,000 |
|
V30 - AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE |
238,000 |
238,000 |
195,325 |
|
V31 - TRANSPORT, TOURISM & SPORT |
1,142,141 |
889,585 |
872,953 |
|
V32 - BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE & INNOVATION |
547,000 |
546,500 |
545,912 |
|
V33 - CULTURE, HERITAGE & THE GAELTACHT |
51,300 |
51,300 |
50,085 |
|
V34 - HOUSING, PLANNING & LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
793,984 |
793,984 |
792,290 |
|
V36 - DEFENCE |
74,000 |
71,500 |
92,100 |
|
V37 - EMPLOYMENT AFFAIRS & SOCIAL PROTECTION |
10,000 |
10,000 |
7,313 |
|
V38 - HEALTH |
454,250 |
454,000 |
454,000 |
|
V39 - OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT |
1,070 |
1,070 |
91 |
|
V40 - CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFFAIRS |
25,620 |
25,620 |
32,060 |
|
V42 - RURAL & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
76,908 |
69,422 |
39,960 |
|
Vote Total |
4,644,517 |
4,376,375 |
4,252,271 |
9. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the levels of capital expenditure which will be allocated for infrastructure projects for County Donegal; the timeframe for these allocations; the projects for which funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2127/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Government is strongly committed to increasing public funding for capital investment in appropriate regional infrastructure across Ireland over the next four years and beyond in order to meet key requirements in areas such as, for example, housing, transport, broadband, education, health and flood defences.
As I announced in Budget 2018, Government has allocated a significant increase in public capital investment amounting to €4.3 billion over the remaining four years of the Capital Plan 2018-2021. These resources have been allocated on the basis of a detailed assessment of public capital investment needs set out in the review of the current capital plan drawing on the comprehensive infrastructure capacity and demand analysis prepared by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service and published alongside the capital review last September. It is also important to note that these investment resources are in addition to the additional €2.2 billion for housing outlined in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
Consequently between 2014 and 2021 public capital expenditure in Ireland will have more than doubled and as set out by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, this will see public investment in Ireland moving to among the highest in the EU.
My Department is currently preparing a long-term 10-year capital plan, covering the period 2018 to 2027, which will be integrated with, and will support the achievement of, the spatial planning objectives of the forthcoming National Planning Framework detailed under the Ireland 2040 Plan, to ensure that there is a sustainable basis for future population, employment and economic growth on a balanced regional basis. The 10-year plan will set out the Government's plans for capital investment over the longer term and it will also set out how the Government proposes to ensure an appropriate regional balance is achieved in terms of infrastructural investment, consistent with the objectives of the National Planning Framework.
The Deputy will be aware that promoting the development of the North-West Region as an interlinked area of strategic importance through collaborative structures and a joined-upapproach to spatial planning is a specific national policy objective included in the draft Ireland 2040 Plan.
In addition to the recent opening of a new court house in Letterkenny, projects scheduled to be implemented for Co Donegal will include the upgrading of 3 sections of the N56 and the provision of 177 grants to primary schools under the minor works grant scheme.
I should point out, however, that the selection of individual projects to be progressed, such as individual infrastructure projects in County Donegal, and the specific level of capital allocations arising will continue to be a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant sectoral Minister and their Departments and agencies - subject to compliance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code in relation to planning, assessment and appraisal of project proposals in the normal way.
13. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of the financing sanctioned by his Department for the staffing of An Garda Síochána's liaison unit for the Charleton Tribunal. [2120/18]
View answerIn March 2017 the Department of Justice and Equality wrote to my Department seeking sanction for two retired members of An Garda Síochána and one civilian to support the work of the Disclosures Tribunal. It was the view of the Department of Justice and Equality that these resources were required to support the timely completion of the work of the Tribunal and also to minimise any potential negative impacts on the delivery of the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme. My Department responded in April seeking assurances that alternative approaches had been considered and that the re-hiring of former senior Garda officers would not negatively affect the workings of the Tribunal. The Department of Justice and Equality subsequently wrote back to my Department later that month providing an assurance that it was satisfied that the proposed approach was the most appropriate one given the pressure on Garda corporate resources and the demanding timelines for the Tribunal. Accordingly, sanction was issued by my officials in early May based on this assessment.
Sanction was issued by my Department on the basis that all expenditure would be strictly met from within the existing resources for An Garda Síochána. Accordingly, approval was not provided for any additional spending beyond the revised estimate allocation for the Garda Síochána vote in 2017. This is the normal practice for sanction requests submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform once the financial allocation for the year has been published in the revised estimates volume.
The latest information provided to my Department from the Department of Justice and Equality indicates that expenditure on the staff re-hired to support the Disclosures Tribunal amounted to €78,840 as at the end of November 2017. I understand that this relates to one retired assistant commissioner and one retired Chief Superintendent. As I understand it, a civilian was not re-hired to support the work of the Tribunal.
14. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has received a request from the Department of Education and Skills in relation to the shortage of teachers in key subject areas at secondary level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2126/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the determination of the allocation of teachers is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, in the first instance. However, based on information provided to my Department by the Department of Education and Skills, I am informed that there is not a teacher shortage but rather a shortage of teachers in some specific subject areas.
As the Deputy may be aware, there has been significant recruitment in the Education sector in recent years. The Department of Education & Skills has informed me that an estimated additional 2,900 posts were filled in 2016/17, nearly 500 more than announced in Budget 2017 and the process of filling all of the additional posts is almost complete.
With respect to overall teacher allocations and projected teacher demands, there was considerable engagement between both Departments in the context of Budget 2018 which made provision for almost 1,300 additional teaching posts in primary and secondary schools. Budget 2018 prioritised support for children with special educational needs and provided support for new STEM and Digital learning initiatives in classrooms to provide for the needs of the sector in 2018/19.
I am informed that the Department of Education and Skills is aware that some schools have reported difficulties in recruiting teachers in specific subjects at post-primary level, including in STEM. I also understand that no request in relation to this specific issue has been submitted to my Department. Any initiative proposed by the Department of Education and Skills in this area that potentially gives rise for the need for increased resources will, of course, need to be considered in the normal way in the context of the Estimates process.
The Department of Education and Skills is strongly committed to examining all possible means of responding to the issue of teacher shortages in specific subjects. For example, as part of the implementation of the STEM Strategy and the Foreign Languages in Education Implementation Plans, the Minister for Education and Skills has committed to delivering increased teacher supply in key priority areas, assessing specific policy initiatives which can accelerate supply in critical areas.
The Deputy will recognise that reflecting the size, diversity and distribution of the post-primary education there are significant complexities involved in workforce planning for the sector. Careful consideration is required of all the various elements. In terms of population trends of school-age children, officials in my Department are currently working in collaboration with officials in the Department to Education and Skills to better understand the number of teachers required in future years based on current demographic trends.
It is important to stress that given the significant recruitment in the sector in recent years and the plans for 2018/19 there are strong career opportunities for teacher graduates in the post-primary sector. In addition, it is important to point out that the pay of a new recruit teacher compares favourably to other new recruits in the public sector and beyond; from 1 January 2018, the first point of the salary scale for a newly recruited teacher amounts to €35,958 (on a 27 point salary scale reaching a maximum of €67,538).
16. 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, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2235/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the unwinding of the emergency FEMPI legislation commenced with the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018 and will be completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 -2020.
The actual pay increases to be carried out are set out in both agreements and the underpinning legislation.
The Deputy will recall being a member of the Government that signed the Lansdowne Road Agreement and passed the FEMPI 2015 Act which gave effect to the agreement. More recently the Deputy engaged with the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill as it made its way through the Oireachtas.
For ease of reference I will now outline the principal pay movements to be carried out by all Departments and public bodies under those two agreements:
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%.
- 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.
2017
- 1st September (brought forward to April) annualised salaries up to €65,000 are increased by €1,000.
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%.
- Pension Related Deduction converted to Additional Superannuation Contribution - threshold raises to €32,000 (except for fast accrual groups) and rates drop to 6.66% and 7% for single scheme members.
2020
- 1st January annualised salaries up to €32,000 to increase by 0.5%;
- 1st October annualised salaries to increase by 2%.
- Additional Superannuation Contribution - threshold raises to €34,500 (except for fast accrual groups) and rates drop to 3.33%% and 3.5% for single scheme members.
A very significant part-unwinding of Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) in three stages is taking place under FEMPI 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.
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 Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, provides for further significant lessening of the impact of PSPR by way of threshold and rate changes to apply on 1 January 2019 and 1 January 2020.
When fully in place from the beginning of 2020, these changes will mean that the vast majority of public service retirees, comprising everyone with occupational pension values up to at least €54,000, will be entirely free of PSPR. For those who retired since end-February 2012 that threshold will be even higher, at €60,000.
18. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to initiate a cost benefit analysis review of information technology expenditure across all Government Departments and State agencies under their aegis; the most recent figure for the combined annual spend on information technology by Government Departments and State agencies; if all information technology contractors follow a specific framework with regard to recording of hours, renewal of contracts and skilled resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2217/18]
View answerGiven the differing purposes and functions of public bodies, each will have its own particular perspective on what constitutes cost-benefit. In addition, since each Department and agency is a specific legal entity, with its own governance structure and responsibilities, it is therefore the responsibility of that department or agency to undertake a cost benefit analysis in regard to information technology (ICT) expenditure. It is also the responsibility of that department or agency to prioritise spending in line with business needs and the overall framework of relevant government policies, and to achieve value-for-money for all such expenditure. My Department’s role is an oversight one to ensure that all new ICT-enabled initiatives are aligned with the Public Service ICT Strategy and the eGovernment Strategy 2017-2020.
Under the terms of Circular 2 of 2016, which delegates responsibility for ICT-related expenditure to public bodies, specific approval is required from my Department for expenditure on all new ICT initiatives. The deputy may wish to be aware that approval was conveyed for expenditure of approximately €130 million for such new ICT-related initiatives during 2017. My Department intends to collate returns from across all Government Departments and State Agencies to establish the aggregate actual spend on ICT for 2017, the first full year of operation of the Circular; that information will be made available in mid-2018.
Given the varied business requirements of public bodies, which might be met in a number of ways such as a fixed price or draw-down, time and materials basis, there is not a specific framework for ICT contractors to follow. Public bodies are directly responsible for the management of external resources engaged by them and the appropriate recording of hours worked, or adequate quality of output being delivered. All such arrangements must result from a valid procurement exercise, utilising either an open procurement or availing of arrangements established by the Office of Government Procurement, and an agreed contract on foot of the procurement exercise.
20. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the River Erne is being considered for flood relief funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2268/18]
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 Erne Catchment is being assessed under the Office of Public Work’s in close co-operation with the Rivers section in the Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland. This co-operation is part of our respective implementation of the EU Floods Directive and therefore the Erne Catchment in both Ireland and Northern Ireland has been fully assessed as part of the CFRAM Study.
In relation to the Erne Catchment system, CFRAM’s Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) study, carried out in 2011, identified Cavan Town and Ballyconnell in Co. Cavan and Ballybay in Co. Monaghan as Areas of Further Assessment (AFA) and are being assessed as part of the North Western-Neagh Bann CFRAM Study. This included public consultation events held in Spring 2015 on the draft flood maps, Spring 2016 on the preliminary options and Autumn 2016 on the draft plans.
In Cavan Town and Ballybay structural options are proposed in the draft Flood Risk Management Plan; and Ballyconnell has been assessed to have a very low level of flood risk. The Plans also set out other flood risk measures to address the flood risk in the River Erne catchment.
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 in the coming weeks 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.
21. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his Department's work with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in respect of the roll out of the public services card in 2017; the outstanding work to be completed with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in relation to the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2233/18]
View answerThe Public Services Card (PSC), and its online counterpart MyGovID, is the Government’s standard personal identity verification scheme, and it is core to delivering valuable public services to the people who need them in a secure and efficient manner. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is the lead implementation body for the production of the Public Services Card, the MyGovID electronic identity service, and the registration process which underpins both via their network of Intreo offices. My Department works closely with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to govern the development of policy and manage the integration of the PSC and MyGovID into appropriate services provided by the Public Service.
During 2017, over 3 million Public Services Card issuances was reached, equating to approx. 72% of the adult population. During the year, my Department and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection worked with a number of public bodies to integrate the PSC and MyGovID, improving access to and security of services. Currently, the Public Services Card underpins access to social welfare entitlements, first time adult passport applications, citizenship applications, and driver theory test applications. MyGovID can be used for online access to Revenue myAccount services, myWelfare services; and access to the Jobs Ireland service. Also, in 2017, my Department has worked with other Departments to plan the adoption of the PSC and MyGovID, details of which were published in the eGovernment Strategy 2017 - 2020.
In January 2017, my Department launched a public communications campaign for the PSC and MyGovID. The aim of this campaign is to promote the awareness of and rationale for the card and MyGovID. Furthermore, the campaign informs people as to where they can get more information, which is delivered via the new psc.gov.ie website. The communications campaign is running through the month of January.
Over the course of 2018, access to more public services will be underpinned by the PSC and MyGovID. My Department along with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection is engaging with the relevant Departments to assist with the transition of these services in line with the schedule set out in the eGovernment Strategy.
22. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the guidelines for public procurement are being applied consistently throughout the public service; the way in which the Office of Government Procurement satisfies itself that its guidelines are applied consistently throughout the different branches of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2341/18]
View answerPublic Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for developing and setting out the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. In this regard, the OGP has developed the National Public Procurement Policy Framework which consists of 5 strands:
- Legislation (Directives, Regulations)
- Government Policy (Circulars, etc.)
- Capital Works Management Framework for Public Works
- General Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services
- More detailed technical guidelines, template documentation and information notes as issued periodically by the OGP
This framework enables a more consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector by setting out the procurement procedures to be followed by public bodies. The framework supports contracting authorities, including the OGP, the four key sectors (Health, Education, Local Government and Defence), individual Departments, Offices, commercial and non-commercial State bodies, and entities which are subsidised 50% or more by a public body, when awarding contracts for works, goods and services. It enables public bodies to adopt procedures to meet their Public Procurement requirements and facilitates compliance with EU and National Procurement Rules.
Last July, I launched new Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services. This comprehensive interpretation of the public procurement directives has been designed to improve consistency and promote best practice in the application of the public procurement rules.
However, it is worth noting that while the OGP guidelines facilitate and enable compliance with public procurement rules, it is the responsibility of each Contracting Authority to ensure they adhere to these rules.
The OGP supports compliance by putting in place compliant procurement solutions, publishing guidelines and template documentation and proactive engagement with our sourcing partners in the Health, Education, Defence and Local Government Sectors through the Procurement Executive. Information sessions are also provided for public bodies such as the OGP Procurement Event for Central Government held in Dublin Castle last March.
Furthermore, the OGP's Key Account Managers are in regular contact with Procurement Officers in Government Departments and State Bodies to assist, support and remind them of their obligations in relation to public procurement.
Finally, I would point out that public procurement practices are subject to audit and scrutiny under the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, and the Local Government Reform Act 2014, and Accounting Officers are publicly accountable for expenditure incurred. Individual contracting authorities are responsible for establishing arrangements for ensuring the proper conduct of their affairs, including conformance to standards of good governance and accountability with regard to procurement.
23. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if ministerial sign off by his Department was sought and received for the financing required to rehire retired members of An Garda Síochána to staff the liaison unit for the Charleton Tribunal. [2119/18]
View answerIn March 2017 the Department of Justice and Equality wrote to my Department seeking sanction for two retired members of An Garda Síochána and one civilian to support the work of the Disclosures Tribunal. It was the view of the Department of Justice and Equality that these resources were required to support the timely completion of the work of the Tribunal and also to minimise any potential negative impacts on the delivery of the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme. My Department responded in April seeking assurances that alternative approaches had been considered and that the re-hiring of former senior Garda officers would not negatively affect the workings of the Tribunal. The Department of Justice and Equality subsequently wrote back to my Department later that month providing an assurance that it was satisfied that the proposed approach was the most appropriate one given the pressure on Garda corporate resources and the demanding timelines for the Tribunal. Accordingly, sanction was issued by my officials in early May based on this assessment.
It is the normal day to day process that sanctions are conveyed by officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on behalf of the Minister. In some cases particular proposals may be brought to my attention if it is warranted in the view of my officials from a policy or spending perspective. In this case, direct ministerial sign off was not sought given the assessments sought from and provided by the Department of Justice and Equality regarding the need to re-hire staff to support the Tribunal. This also took into account the urgency of the request and the relatively low level of expenditure involved.
24. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has carried out an analysis of the effect the unwinding of FEMPI is having on the budgets of local authorities in view of the fact they must absorb the cost of same. [2122/18]
View answerBudgetary allocations in support of both the Lansdowne Road Agreement and the Public Service Stability Agreement have been made to each Department through the estimates process. In the Revised Estimates 2018, some €59.6m was made available to Local Authorities through the Local Government Fund to cover the costs arising from the relevant agreements.
The Local Government Act 2001, as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, provides the legislative basis for the local authority budget process. It is a matter for each local authority to determine its own spending priorities in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to both locally identified needs and available resources. The elected members of a local authority have direct responsibility in law for all reserved functions of the authority, which includes adopting the annual budget, and are democratically accountable for all expenditure by the local authority.
25. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of an application made by Waterford City and County Council for financial assistance to develop the north quays; if his attention has been drawn to the strategic importance of developing the north quays; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2165/18]
View answerAs you may be aware, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently finalising the National Development Plan which will act as the cornerstone for the implementation of the new National Planning Framework detailed in the Ireland 2040 plan which sets out a new approach to spatial planning in Ireland.
I am confident in saying that these plans will demonstrate that this Government is strongly committed to increasing public funding for capital investment in appropriate regional investment across Ireland in order to meet key infrastructural requirements that will support local economic development.
I of course appreciate that the scheme you identify in relation to Waterford is an important project for the area and would note that it was included in the final draft of the NPF which was issued for public consultation in September 2017, with a closing date of 10th November.
It should be remembered however, that my Department is responsible for setting the overall allocations (both capital and current) across Departments and then for subsequently monitoring expenditure at Departmental level. Decisions on specific projects such as physical infrastructure like roads or access improvements for the North Quays in Waterford are a matter in the first instance for the relevant Minister.
26. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proportion of employees in his Department that have a disability; and the way in which this corresponds to the wider public sector, in each of the years 2011 to 2017, in tabular from. [2352/18]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
Each year, in accordance with the Disability Act 2005, the Department submits a report highlighting the percentage of staff within the department who have self-declared a disability. This information for all Departments and Offices is collated centrally by the Civil Service HR Policy Division within my Department and forwarded on to the National Disability Authority (NDA) for publication on their website. Statistical information from 2011 to 2015 for all Public Sector bodies can be found on their website at:
http://nda.ie/Publications/Employment/Employment-of-people-with-disabilities-in-the-public-service/
The last submitted report highlighting the percentage of staff within the department who have self-declared a disability for my Department was compiled on the 31st of March 2017 covering the year 2016. This information has not yet been published on the NDA website, however, I have included this in the table. Disability statistics for 2017 will be collated in March 2018.
|
Year |
Department |
Total Employed |
No of employees with disabilities |
% of employees with disabilities |
|
2011 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
309 |
20 |
6.5% |
|
2012 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
369 |
15 |
4.1% |
|
2013 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (inclusive of National Shared Services Office and Office of Government Procurement) |
507 |
22 |
4.3% |
|
2014 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (inclusive of National Shared Services Office and Office of Government Procurement) |
870 |
30 |
3.4% |
|
2015 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (inclusive of National Shared Services Office and Office of Government Procurement) |
1060 |
54 |
5.1% |
|
2016 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (inclusive of National Shared Services Office and Office of Government Procurement) |
1189 |
52 |
4.4% |
27. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the rolling selective spending review process which will take place in his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/18]
View answerAs part of my Estimates speech on Budget day in 2016, 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 last year following the publication of Budget 2018. The analytical papers are all available on my Department's website. 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. The spending review will operate as a separate but parallel process to the Budget and will therefore inform 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 the Spending Review 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.
The second annual cycle of spending reviews is currently underway involving the identification of topics on which analytical papers will be prepared.
28. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the catchment flood risk assessment and management programme and flood risk management plans will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2347/18]
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 focusing 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 proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified for AFAs are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation between July to December 2016, with a significant volume of submission topics received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and as required between August and September 2017, each Plan was submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for an independent review of the environmental assessments. This independent review is nearing completion, after which the Final Plans will be formally submitted to the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform for approval, in accordance with the statutory requirements (Statutory Instrument No. 122 of 2010).
I would hope in the coming weeks 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.
29. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to improve the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit. [2338/18]
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 2017, 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.
