Written Answers Nos. 196-217
196. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to address the flooding concerns for the Cappamore area in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/18]
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 CFRAM Programme focussed 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.
Cappamore is designated as an AFA and is part of the Shannon CFRAM Programme. The proposed CFRAM measure outlined in the flood risk management plan for Cappamore is to continue with the ongoing maintenance of the Cappamore Flood Relief Scheme.
The Mulkear River (Cappamore) Certified Drainage Scheme was constructed from 1999 to 2001. The Scheme comprises flood defence walls and embankments, channel conveyance improvements, a flood bypass channel, and watercourse diversions and provides protection from the Mulkear River and tributaries for 70 properties.
The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation in 2016 and a significant volume of submissions were received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and 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.
I would hope in the coming weeks 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.
197. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the assistance which can be provided to persons (details supplied) following a recent flooding event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4012/18]
View answerOn Sunday 21 January 2018, an extreme flood event occurred on the Mulkear River catchment following significant rainfall. Preliminary investigations by the Office of Public Works (OPW) of the flood event, which included review of the hydrometric gauging stations that monitor water levels within the overall Mulkear catchment, indicate that record high levels were reached.
A residential property referred to by the Deputy was flooded. In addition, some roads were impassable, and significant tracts of land were also flooded. On Monday 22 January and again on Wednesday 24 January, the OPW Engineers met with the residents of the flooded property. The OPW is reviewing the flood event to determine the measures necessary to prevent a recurrence of the flooding in the area.
A flood alleviation scheme was constructed by the OPW between 1999 and 2001 to reduce flood risk in Cappamore and its environs. The OPW is unaware of any other properties having suffered flooding during this recent event, but investigations are continuing.
198. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on each recommendation (details supplied) as contained in the National Competitiveness Council report, Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2017; his plans to implement the policy recommendations which he has statutory remit for; and the timeframe for implementation. [4052/18]
View answerI will first deal with the issue of the International Monetary Fund's Public Investment Management Assessment or PIMA.
The Public Spending Code (the “Code”) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is the set of rules and procedures that apply to ensure that value for money standards are upheld across the Irish Public Service. It draws together in one location, the long-established elements of value for money arrangements that have been in place over many years.
The objective of the Code is to ensure that the State achieves value for money. The Code applies to both capital and current expenditure and sets out what is required of public service managers at different points of the expenditure life cycle as well as how to fulfil those requirements. The requirements of the Code are based on employing good practices at all stages of the expenditure life cycle.
The IMF PIMA report concluded that, overall, Ireland manages its public infrastructure relatively well. It highlighted both strengths and weaknesses and contained a number of recommendations to improve future performance in terms of the efficiency of public capital investment. The recommendations contained in the PIMA report will be taken into consideration in the context of the review of the Code, which is currently under way. As part of the consultation process, my Department will be engaging with key stakeholders during the year and the review is expected to be completed in 2018.
In terms of meeting the commitments in Innovation 2020 to increase national research and development investment, the position is that responsibility for Innovation 2020 and for funding of R&D in that context is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. However, I can inform the Deputy that investment in R&D, along with all of the other areas in which Government allocates capital resources to, for example, sustain and enhance the economy's growth potential and respond to important socio-economic objectives will be dealt with in the forthcoming ten-year capital plan currently being finalised by my Department for consideration by Government.
199. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the body responsible for the enforcement of breaches of public procurement guidelines and EU directives regarding the tendering and public procurement by Departments and State agencies; the legislation that governs the enforcement of public procurement; the role the Office of Public Procurement plays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4078/18]
View answerTo create a level playing field for all businesses across Europe, EU law sets out minimum harmonised procurement rules. The EU Procurement and Remedies Directives govern the way public authorities and certain utility operators purchase goods, works and services. The rules are transposed into Irish law and apply to tenders for public contracts whose monetary value exceeds certain thresholds. There are remedies available when an economic operator that has an interest in a public procurement procedure believes that it has been run without proper application of the EU Public Procurement Directives. An unsuccessful economic operator can bring a case to the High Court. The European Commission can also take action against a Member State if it considers that the Procurement Directives are not being applied correctly. For tenders of lower value, national rules apply which must respect the general principles of EU law such as equal treatment, non-discrimination etc.
It is a matter for individual contracting authorities to ensure that their public procurement function is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and procedures. Under Section 19 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993, each Accounting Officer is personally responsible for the safeguarding of public funds and property under his or her control; for the regularity and propriety of all the transactions in each Appropriation Account bearing his or her signature; and for the efficiency and economy of administration in his or her Department. 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.
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 progressed 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 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, my colleague, Minister of State Patrick O'Donovan, 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, as set out above, 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.
200. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the flood improvement works which will be carried out by location in County Louth; when the list of all areas covered by these works will be published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4237/18]
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 CFRAM Programme focussed 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 to be outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
Louth has seven Areas of Further Assessment (AFA) and are being assessed by the North Western – Neagh Bann and Eastern CFRAM Programmes. The following is a summary of the proposed draft plans.
- Carlingford and Greenore: Coastal & Fluvial Hard Defences, improved channel conveyance and two pumping stations.
- Dundalk and Blackrock South: Hard Defences, improved channel conveyance and storage. Each flood protection method tailored specifically to each of the thirteen identified flood prone areas in the AFA.
- Annagassan: Hard Defences.
- Ardee: Hard Defences.
- Baltray: Hard Defences.
- Drogheda: Hard Defences, channel conveyance and flow diversion.
- Termonfeckin: Improved channel conveyance.
The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation in 2016 and a significant volume of submissions were received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and 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.
I would hope in the coming weeks 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.
205. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the areas that will be included in flood defences in a location (details supplied) in County Limerick; the indicative timeframe for the completion of defences in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4373/18]
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 CFRAM Programme focussed 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 to be outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans.
The Corbally area is included in the Limerick AFA, and will be covered by the proposed measures in that plan. Specifically, the measures proposed include flood embankments, some lengths of flood wall, installation of new sluice gates, and the replacement of a canal lock gate.
The Draft Flood Risk Management Plans were published for public consultation in 2016 and a significant volume of submissions were received for consideration. In Summer 2017, the OPW finalised all Plans and 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.
I would hope in the coming weeks 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.
206. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons at assistant principal level under the aegis of his Department due to retire in the next six months due to age in counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4397/18]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform or any of the bodies under its aegis are not aware of any Assistant Principal Officers on their staff in the named counties who intend to retire due to age in the next six months.
It should be noted that the minimum notice period for Assistant Principal Officers to advise Local HR units of their intention to retire is one month.
207. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Civil Service employees who have applied for an employment transfer prior to the formal introduction of the new Civil Service mobility scheme are eligible for transfer in instances whereby they have completed at least one full year of service; if the employees will only be considered for transfer in instances in which they satisfy minimum terms of service requirements in accordance with this new scheme; the steps such employees should take should they have queries in respect of redeployment, including in relation to queries on the status of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4399/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, transfers for Clerical Officers, who have applied prior to the formal launch of the new Civil Service Mobility scheme, are arranged in accordance with formal procedures which were agreed in 1978 with the Staff Side at General Council under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for the Civil Service. There was no centralised system for handling these requests and in general a staff member was required to serve a minimum of two years satisfactory service. Information on this scheme is not held centrally by my Department.
Phase 1A of the new Civil Service Mobility scheme for the general service grades of CO and EO to make mobility requests within and between 46 locations (excluding within Dublin) launched on 13 November 2017. Other phases of the scheme, including Mobility within Dublin, will launch on future dates. This phase of the scheme replaces the following legacy transfer mechanisms:
- Central Transfer Lists;
- Central Application Facility (CAF);
- Organisational Internal Regional Transfer Lists.
This scheme offers an opportunity for staff members to apply for mobility (i.e. transfer) through an open, fair, and transparent system. The centralised scheme comes under the remit of my department, and is administered through HR Shared Service, National Shared Service Office. Additional information can be found at http://hr.per.gov.ie/civil-service-mobility/ and all queries relating to the scheme can be sent to mobility@per.gov.ie or mobility@peoplepoint.ie.
Staff members, who previously applied under the above mechanisms, must reapply for the new scheme and they have an opportunity to apply their original transfer application date up until close of business 7 February 2018. Local HR Divisions will have the facility to initiate offers of Mobility from the scheme with effect from 15 March 2018 and may continue to use the legacy mechanisms referred to above up until this date.
Applicants for Phase 1A of the scheme must meet the following eligibility criteria to receive an offer of Mobility:
- In their current organisation, grade and location for 2 years;
- Have successfully completed probation period;
- Have a satisfactory performance for previous working year;
- Not have accrued sick leave of 56 days or more in the previous rolling four year period;
- Not have accrued sick leave instances of 25 or more in the previous rolling four year period;
- Do not have a Performance Improvement Plan process in place;
- There is no ongoing formal investigation under the Disciplinary Code which may lead to disciplinary action;
- There is no open disciplinary process in place.
However, COs and EOs can make an application(s) regardless of eligibility and will retain their application date until they become eligible.
208. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public private partnerships his Department is currently engaged in; the name, cost and timeframe of each; the names of all private parties involved; the nature of each project in terms of design, build, maintain and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4440/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department's role in relation to Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) is to maintain and develop the general policy framework (including, where necessary, the legal framework) within which PPPs operate. My Department also provides central guidance to Departments and other State Authorities in that context.
My Department has no direct involvement in the procurement or delivery of individual PPP projects.
A summary update on PPP projects is available at the website www.ppp.gov.ie. The update summarises the state of play on PPP projects across the public sector.
The Deputy may wish to note that the update is intended to provide indicative information in relation to PPP projects generally, based on information provided by Departments/Agencies. The Central PPP Policy Unit in my Department endeavours to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible but details on specific projects should be confirmed with the State authorities responsible for those projects.
210. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a statutory redundancy payment plus the enhanced package as agreed through a union will be issued to persons (details supplied). [4188/18]
View answerAs this matter dates back to 2007, and because of a number of changes regarding the responsibility for training programmes have occurred in the interim, records in relation to his issue are not readily to hand in my Department.
However, I will ask SOLAS to engage with Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarding the matter and to respond to the Deputy directly.
211. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna cé mhéad duine atá ar Bhoird COGG; an mó folúntas atá ann faoi láthair; cad é an plean agus an clár ama atá ag an Aire chun aon fholúntas a líonadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4489/18]
View answerTá dhá bhall déag ar bhord COGG. Reáchtálann an Coimisiún um Cheapacháin Seirbhíse Poiblí comórtas chun cathaoirleach an Bhoird a roghnú. Ba in 2015 a ceapadh an bord deiridh agus is i mí na Nollag 2018 a rachaidh a dtéarma oifige in éag. Ceapfar bord nua an t-am sin.
Fuair PAS trí iarratas ar chathaoirleacht COGG faoin dáta deiridh a rabhthas ag glacadh le hiarratais. Ní choinníonn mo Roinnse taifead ar ainmneacha ná sonraí iarrthóirí nár éirigh leo.
Is roinnt comhlachtaí páirtithe leasmhara, lena n-áirítear ceardchumainn agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge, a ainmníonn an t-aon ghnáthbhall déag eile.
Níl aon fholúntas ar bhord COGG faoi láthair.
212. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department will meet the representatives of a school (details supplied). [3982/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the school concerned is located in a former primary school building that was secured as part of Government policy on school divesting.
The property is subject to a 10 year lease between the Edmund Rice Schools Trust (ERST) and the Minister for Education and Skills.
As the Deputy is aware, the school has submitted an application to my Department for additional accommodation to facilitate expansion.
However, the lease requires the consent of ERST to place this accommodation on the school site. In this regard, my Department is currently engaging with ERST to secure this consent and expects a response from ERST shortly.
Department officials have also been liaising with the school principal recently and have advised the principal that the accommodation will be approved as soon as this consent is granted.
213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department provides further supports for students who are travelling to Northern Ireland for their studies; if his attention has been drawn to supports available through the Northern Ireland authorities that would be applicable to students here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3984/18]
View answerThe main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. In 2017 SUSI provided some €370 million in student supports that benefitted more than 78,000 students.
Students attending approved undergraduate courses in Northern Ireland can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. There is also a special derogation contained within the Student Support Act 2011 which provides supports for postgraduate students attending courses in Northern Ireland. Fee grants are not available for those students, other than for exceptional provision in respect of approved postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
I understand that a student from another European Union (EU) country studying in Northern Ireland can apply for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees. Further information is available on www.studentfinanceni.co.uk.
Prospective students may also wish to contact the relevant college in Northern Ireland for advice on the type and range of supports that are available in that particular college.
214. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the proposed construction of a new school building (details supplied); and when building works will commence. [4018/18]
View answerThe major building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2b (Detailed Design), which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.
The Design Team is currently working on the Stage 2b report which will be submitted through the Board of Management to my Department.
Upon receipt and review of this report my Department will revert to the Board of Management with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
215. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the members of the expert steering group on the review of career guidance. [4027/18]
View answer216. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of employing consultants to carry out the review on career guidance. [4028/18]
View answer217. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the terms of reference on the career guidance review make specific mention of enterprise engagement with no mention of engagement from academia, education, health services and other public service providers. [4029/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 to 217, inclusive, together.
The purpose of the Career Guidance review is to ensure that we are providing high quality, relevant career guidance to all students and adults from post–primary up to further and higher education level. The review will look at existing career guidance tools and career information currently in place across the education and training system and make recommendations for changes to improve these tools and information.
It is planned that the review will provide opportunities for all relevant stakeholders to contribute to the review through a variety of mechanisms which will be developed in consultation with the steering group and consultants, when appointed.
A budget of €120,000 has been allocated for the review.
The review will be guided by an expert steering group chaired by Professor Tom Collins, current chairperson of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) and Technological Higher Education Association (THEA). Other members of the group will include representatives of the Department’s Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit, and Skills Planning and Enterprise Engagement Unit, a member of the Inspectorate, a nominee of SOLAS, Higher Education Authority (HEA), Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI),Institute of Guidance Counsellors IGC), an enterprise representative, a parent, a learner and an International Expert.
