Written Answers Nos. 162-183
162. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance when EU approval will be secured to implement the regional uplift aspect of the film tax relief provided for in the Finance Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50814/18]
View answerSection 481 TCA 1997 provides a 32% payable credit for eligible expenditure on film production in Ireland. It is available to Irish and international film production companies that are resident in the State or in an EEA State and carry on business in the State through a branch or subsidiary.
In addition to extending the credit's end date from 2020 to 2024, Finance Bill 2018 is providing for a short-term, tapered regional uplift, commencing at 5%, for productions being made in areas designated under the State aid regional guidelines. The regional uplift will be introduced subject to State aid approval.
The regional uplift will be phased out on a tiered basis with 5% available in years 1 and 2, 3% in year 3, 2% in year 4, and reducing to 0% from year 5 on. The purpose of the regional uplift is to support the development of new, local pools of talent in areas outside the current main production hubs, to support the geographic spread of the audio-visual sector.
In considering whether the regional film development uplift applies, the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht shall have regard to the following factors -
i. whether the production of the film is substantially undertaken in an assisted region;
ii. whether there is limited availability of individuals with suitable experience or training who habitually reside within a 45 kilometre radius of the place of production to provide services; and
iii. in respect of the areas of expertise where there is limited availability, the company provides training for individuals that habitually reside within that 45 kilometre radius.
The regions availing of the uplift will currently be limited to areas in Ireland sanctioned to receive regional aid under the EU regional aid guidelines.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the notification process has begun but it is currently not possible to give a definitive timeline as to when this process will be completed.
163. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the recent report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. [50474/18]
View answerI assume the report the Deputy is referring to is the Fiscal Assessment Report (FAR) published by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council on Wednesday 28 November. I have received it and would make a few points on same.
I note the Council's endorsement of my Department’s economic forecasts for 2018 and 2019 that underpin the Budgetary arithmetic. I would also draw attention to the fact that, last month, the European Commission assessed Budget 2019 as being compliant with the fiscal rules, a welcome endorsement. I also note the Council's assessment of the risks facing our economy, including possible overheating, residential building activity, the reliance on highly concentrated foreign-owned activities and, last but by no means least, the potential impacts that Brexit may have. My Department has also identified these risks in the Budget documentation (Economic & Fiscal Outlook, pp. 43-44) and I share both of these assessments.
The best way to mitigate these risks is to carefully manage the public finances and to ensure our economy remains competitive. That is what the Government has done in the Budget through the elimination of the headline deficit, reduction of the general government debt ratio and the establishment of the Rainy Day Fund.
I acknowledge the Council’s assertion that Ireland’s debt burden remains high. My Department publishes an Annual Debt Report to highlight this issue and I want to reiterate that reducing public debt is a key priority for the Government. It is oft-stated Government policy that windfall receipts from any future sale of state assets will be used to reduce the debt burden.
Finally, it should be noted that I am in the process of drafting my formal response to the FAR which will be published in due course.
164. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 114 of 29 November 2017, the estimated cost of adapting the employment investment incentive scheme (details supplied) in tabular form. [50841/18]
View answerI am informed by the Revenue that based on 2016 data, the estimated cost to the Exchequer from increasing the current allowable tax relief cap of €150,000 available to an individual investor under the EII scheme in the manner described by the Deputy is as set out in the following table.
|
Threshold |
€M |
|
€200,000 |
0.9 |
|
€300,000 |
2.2 |
|
€400,000 |
2.9 |
|
€500,000 |
3.4 |
|
€600,000 |
3.8 |
|
€700,000 |
4.2 |
|
€800,000 |
4.5 |
|
€900,000 |
4.8 |
|
€1,000,000 |
5.0 |
|
€1,100,000 |
5.2 |
|
€1,200,000 |
5.3 |
|
€1,300,000 |
5.4 |
This costing assumes a maximum of relief of 30% and does not include the additional 10% relief that is currently available under this scheme after a period of 4 years from the initial investment. It is based on actual 2016 investments and assumes that there are no behavioural changes as a result of the increased caps on the relief.
The Deputy may wish to note that, following on from the recent Indecon Report and the priority reform action that I am taking in Finance Bill 2018, my Department will carry out further work in 2019 in conjunction with other relevant Departments to examine what further changes might be warranted to ensure that the scheme fulfils its objectives in an efficient and effective manner. Among other things, this work will include consideration of the appropriate rate of relief that should apply under the scheme.
165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to date of the decision to allow some companies continue to use the "double Irish" until 2020; the number of companies using the scheme; the estimated net extra revenue if the close date was moved to 1 January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50908/18]
View answerThe Finance Act 2014 amended the company residence rules in section 23A to provide that an Irish incorporated company would be regarded as resident for tax purposes in the State. In essence, the change introduced by Finance Act 2014 was designed to ensure that a company could no longer use an Irish label of incorporation without also being tax resident here.
As my predecessor has clearly stated in the past, the ‘double Irish’ was not part of the Irish tax offering. It was just one example of the many international tax-planning arrangements which have been designed and developed by tax and legal advisers to take advantage of mismatches between the tax rules in two or more countries. In many cases these were designed to exploit gaps in US anti-avoidance rules. Therefore, action was taken by Ireland in Finance Act 2014 to amend our residency rules in the absence of US tax reform. The recent US tax reform sees that country asserting its global taxing rights and this should put an end to the type of arrangements some multinationals were previously able to use to avoid tax.
We are already seeing evidence of US companies recognising a tax charge and paying tax in the US in respect of historic profits as a result of US tax reform. I believe the changes introduced, combined with the widespread implementation of the BEPS recommendations, will have a major impact on the ability of multinationals to engage in aggressive tax planning.
The amendment in Finance Act 2014 was brought into effect for new companies incorporated after 1 January 2015. To ensure that this change did not negatively impact on other related group companies which have real and substantial operations in Ireland, a transition period until end 2020 was provided to give these groups a reasonable timeframe to plan and re-organise their business structures to take account of this change.
I am informed by Revenue that, as the so-called ‘double Irish’ structure is not part of the Irish tax code, Revenue does not have a register of companies incorporated but not tax-resident in Ireland that may be used in that structure. Statistics regarding such companies, which may include companies used in a ‘double Irish’ structure, are therefore not available. However I would again note that there is evidence that multi-lateral and US tax reform is proving successful in ensuring that profits in such companies are subject to tax.
166. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of injury warrants paid in the past five years; if there are conditions attached to these injury warrants; the range of conditions that must be met before qualifying for a warrant; the reason injury warrants are refused; and the number of refusals issued in the past five years. [50401/18]
View answerThe Civil Service Injury Warrants are a series of statutory instruments made under the Superannuation Acts. They provide additional benefits over and above normal pension entitlements, to or in respect of officers who are killed or injured in the performance of their duties.
An annual allowance may be granted to an officer who is forced to retire as a result of their injuries, or in respect of an officer who dies within 7 years and as a result of their injuries. Special gratuities may be granted in cases of death or injury in the course of duty while travelling by air, or as a direct result of war, insurrection or civil unrest.
To qualify for the award of an annual allowance under the Injury Warrants, all of the following conditions must be met:
1. the injury must result in retirement on grounds of ill-health (if the individual dies within seven years of the date of injury, their dependants may qualify for an annual allowance);
2. the injury must occur in the actual discharge of duties;
3. the injury must be specifically attributable to the nature of the officer's duties; and
4. the injury must not result from the officer's own default.
Allowance payments are at varying rates, depending on the degree to which the officer’s capacity to contribute to his/her own support is impaired as a result of the injury.
No new awards have been granted under the Civil Service Injury Warrants over the past five years. Three applications have been refused, with the reasons cited linked to the conditions mentioned above. In one case, the application was refused on grounds that a previous compensation settlement had been paid that prevented the application from being proceeded with.
Finally, I would point out that I have personal responsibility in relation to the Civil Service Pension Scheme. I understand that sectoral provisions, similar in purpose to the Injury Warrants, exist for other parts of the public service, and so the Deputy may also wish to direct his query to the Ministers concerned.
167. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of State owned properties that are unoccupied; the cost associated with the maintenance and security of same; the number of properties rented by the State from private landlords; the cost of same by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50081/18]
View answerThere are currently 96 State owned properties which are unoccupied. Of these properties, 50 are Garda Stations that were closed under the 2012/2013 Policing Plans of An Garda Siochana. Of the remaining 46 properties, 23 are in the process of being transferred to local authorities or other State bodies, 7 are being prepared for disposal, 1 is under consideration for community use and 15 are being examined for alternative State use or are being retained for strategic purposes. The maintenance and security costs of these properties to-date in 2018 is €581,045.
There are currently 395 properties rented by the Commissioners of Public Works from private Landlords, of which 2 are currently unoccupied. The annual rental cost of same by county is shown in the following table. The Commissioners do not have details of leases that may be taken directly by other Government Departments/State bodies.
|
COUNTY |
RENT COST PA |
|
CARLOW |
€603,397.78 |
|
CAVAN |
€272,145.35 |
|
CLARE |
€243,906.71 |
|
CORK |
€3,153,923.03 |
|
DONEGAL |
€336,752.26 |
|
DUBLIN |
€68,227,241.38 |
|
GALWAY |
€2,434,670.07 |
|
KERRY |
€858,539.57 |
|
KILDARE |
€921,580.04 |
|
KILKENNY |
€46,818.20 |
|
LAOIS |
€997,040.04 |
|
LEITRIM |
€606,500.00 |
|
LIMERICK |
€2,521,661.27 |
|
LONGFORD |
€19,782.64 |
|
LOUTH |
€510,595.33 |
|
MAYO |
€499,597.30 |
|
MEATH |
€1,568,683.60 |
|
MONAGHAN |
€297,675.22 |
|
OFFALY |
€381,588.00 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
€9,000.00 |
|
SLIGO |
€611,170.62 |
|
TIPPERARY |
€549,761.56 |
|
WATERFORD |
€406,960.60 |
|
WESTMEATH |
€722,333.81 |
|
WEXFORD |
€273,245.45 |
|
WICKLOW |
€704,326.75 |
168. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number of State owned properties eligible for the vacant site levy; the estimated liability to be paid in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50082/18]
View answerI have been advised by my officials that the Office of Public Works has been notified that Kilkenny County Council has placed the former Garda station at Barrack Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny on their vacant sites register. A levy of €4,500 is payable in 2019 on this property.
The property is currently under consideration for transfer to Kilkenny County Council.
This is the only property currently notified to the Commissioners as liable for the vacant site levy.
169. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in each of the years from 2013 to 2017, and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50083/18]
View answer170. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons who have held the position of Government Chief Information Officer in each of the years from 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50084/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.
The position of Government Chief Information Officer was established in June 2013. Following this appointment the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was established in July 2013. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) replaced the previous Centre for Management and Organisation Development (CMOD). Tim Duggan occupied the post of Head of CMOD/Chief Information Officer with CMOD up to 6 June 2013.
Please see in the following table the names of the holders of Government Chief Information Officer with OGCIO since June 2013, including dates of employment and the dates the position was vacant.
|
Name |
Dates of Employment |
|
McCluggage, William |
10/06/2013 - 15/02/2014 |
|
Position Vacant |
16/02/2014 - 23/03/2014 |
|
McGrath, Michael |
24/03/2014 - 23/05/2015 |
|
Position Vacant |
24/05/2015 - 10/04/2016 |
|
Lowry, Barry |
11/04/2016 to date |
The following table provides the requested details on the headcount of staff within the Office of the Government Chief Information Office as of 31 December for each of the years 2013 to 2017 as well as the current figure for 2018 (end of October).
OGCIO Staff Numbers
|
Year |
31-12-2013 |
31-12-2014 |
31-12-2015 |
31-12-2016 |
31-12-2017 |
31-10-2018 |
|
Headcount |
28 |
29 |
34 |
46 |
57 |
58 |
171. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years from March 2011 to 2017, and to date in 2018; the cost of same; the company involved; and the report title and publication date, in tabular form. [50101/18]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question, the consultant reports commissioned by my Department since March 2011 are listed in the following table.
|
Report Title |
Company |
Publication Date |
Cost |
|
2011 |
|||
|
Banking services for central government – review of market |
PwC |
Internal Report |
€44,526 |
|
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement |
MKO Partners |
June 2011 |
€35,819 |
|
2012 |
|||
|
Report on Reasons Behind Voter Behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011 |
Red C Research and Marketing Ltd. |
January 2012 |
€41,043 |
|
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement |
Grant Thornton |
13 June 2012 |
€31,586 |
|
Capacity and Capability Review of Central Procurement Function |
Accenture |
6 September 2012 |
€30,750 |
|
IT Capability Maturity Framework Executive Assessment |
Innovation Value Institute, NUIM |
November 2012 |
€30,750 |
|
2013 |
|||
|
Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement |
Grant Thornton |
3 July 2013 |
€24,206 |
|
Report of a Consultation with Civil Society Representatives and Citizens on Ireland's Participation in the Open Government Partnership |
Transparency International, Ireland |
2 October 2013 |
€25,735 |
|
2014 |
|||
|
Debt Management – Final Report |
BearingPoint |
24 July 2014 |
€135,514 |
|
Open Data project (Best Practice Handbook; Data Audit Report; Roadmap for Open Data; Evaluation Framework; Open Data Publication Handbook) |
Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUI Galway |
July 2014 |
€19,188 |
|
Value for Money Report of Dublin Castle's Conference Facilities |
Newmarket Consulting |
Qtr 3, 2014 |
€4,674 |
|
Fund Structuring Services Agreement for Social Housing and Energy Efficiency in Ireland |
European Investment Bank |
5 November 2014 |
€26,767 |
|
Single Public Service Pension Scheme Baseline Report |
Mr. Séamus O'Dwyer |
9 December 2014 |
€24,900 |
|
OGP Development of Training & Organisation Development |
Baker Tilly Ryan Glennon |
Internal Report |
€22,900 |
|
2015 |
|||
|
Civil Service Disciplinary Code Review |
Byrne Wallace |
March 2015 |
€30,750 |
|
Civil Service Disciplinary Code Review |
Clarion Consulting |
May 2015 |
€23,985 |
|
Recommendations to DPER for Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme |
JBA Consulting |
November 2015 |
€23,917 |
|
NSSO Continuous Improvement Report |
Ernst & Young |
November 2015 |
€36,900 |
|
Comparative Report on European National Identification Numbers |
Hans Graux, Timelex, CVBA |
Publication pending the completion of the work of the PPSN review Group |
€37,500 |
|
Provision of legal expertise to assist and advise the Department in the preparation of Guidance to Public Bodies under section 21(3) of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 |
Lauren Kierans BL |
Provision of legal expertise only. Not for publication. |
€12,500 |
|
Options for the next National Lottery licence |
Davy Corporate Finance |
Internal Report |
€615 |
|
Building Strategic HR in the Civil Service |
McGrath Associates |
Internal Report |
€8,000 |
|
PeoplePoint: Optimal Resourcing Review reflecting present and future organisational requirements |
Equita Consulting |
Internal Report |
€49,200 |
|
Baseline Research 2015 - Usage, Resourcing and costs of ICT across selected Public Service Bodies |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
Internal Report |
€148,781 |
|
Develop and agree a service delivery model for Government ICT Shared Services |
Accenture |
Internal Report |
€339,188 |
|
2016 |
|||
|
River Ilen (Skibbereen) drainage scheme: environmental impact statement recommendations to DPER |
Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers |
January 2016 |
€12,417 |
|
Analysis of Business Processes for European Structural and Investment Funds and Development of a Detailed Specification for EU Structural Funds 2014-20 |
Dovetail |
4 March 2016 |
€46,371 |
|
Review of environmental impact statement of the Bandon River (Bandon) drainage scheme – including recommendations |
CAAS Limited |
March 2016 |
€7,196 |
|
Research and recommendation on a fit for purpose HR model/structure for the NSSO |
Sile O'Donnell |
April 2016 |
€21,000 |
|
Payroll Shared Services operational review |
Deloitte |
June 2016 |
€44,280 |
|
A critical review of the applicability of the performance related remuneration approach to the Irish Public Service |
Institute of Public Administration |
July 2016 |
€15,375 |
|
Public Service Spend and Tendering Analysis for 2014 |
Accenture |
September 2016 |
€98,400 |
|
Environmental Impact Statement of the River Mall Templemore Drainage Scheme |
CAAS Limited |
December 2016 |
€7,196 |
|
Gov.ie - The government Digital Services gateway |
Red C Research and Marketing Limited |
December 2016 |
€28,290 |
|
OGP ICT Category Strategies (8 in total)nm |
Accenture |
Internal Report |
€153,000 |
|
OGP Strategic Market Assessment – Phase 1 |
Deloitte |
Internal Report |
€200,010 |
|
OGP Strategic Market Assessment – Phase 2 |
Deloitte |
Internal Report |
€484,450 |
|
OGP Strategic Market Assessment – Phase 3 |
Deloitte |
Internal Report |
€196,333 |
|
eInvoicing Recommendation Report |
KPMG |
Internal Report |
€160,327 |
|
Business case – shared model for Learning and Development in the Irish Civil Service |
Knowledge Pool as part of Capita Consulting |
Internal Report |
€106,063 |
|
Appropriate HR model for OGP |
John O'Hehir Consulting Ltd. |
Internal Report |
€17,589 |
|
Economic assessment of issues raised in relation to the tendering process for the supply of printing devices |
Peter Bacon & Associates Economic Consultants |
Internal Report |
€37,597 |
|
OGP Audit of Methodologies for 2013 Spend Data Analysis |
KOSI Corporation Ltd. |
Internal Report |
€13,550 |
|
eCatalogue Readiness Assessment Report |
Science Warehouse |
Internal Report |
€17,454 |
|
Review to investigate the possible approaches for data centre hosting of Government cloud and other infrastructure |
KPMG |
Internal Report |
€223,632 |
|
Review, redesign and implementation of an organisational restructure if the ICT Service Delivery Unit |
BearingPoint |
Internal Report |
€89,037 |
|
2017 |
|||
|
National Data Infrastructure - A Comparative Analysis |
Accenture |
Q1 2017 |
€106,925 |
|
Public Service Pay Commission - Review of Actuarial Submissions |
Milliman |
8 May 2017 |
€22,755 |
|
River Feagle (Clonakilty) Drainage Scheme: environmental impact statement review recommendations to DPER |
Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers |
August 2017 |
€6,285 |
|
OGCIO - Government Cloud Platform (Build to Share) - PoC Security Design Review Report |
Ward Solutions |
Internal Report |
€14,944 |
|
OGCIO BTS - Business Case for the delivery of common ICT Services |
BearingPoint |
Internal Report |
€43,050 |
|
Advisory services for the delivery of business cases for the Build to Share applications and the Build to Share infrastructure |
KPMG |
Internal Report |
€92,250 |
|
Sourcing Strategy for Mobile Voice and Data Services |
Analysis Mason |
Internal Report |
€25,323 |
|
Business Process Automation Process scoping report |
Accenture |
Internal Report |
€13,214 |
|
2018 |
|||
|
Analysis, options and recommendations on implementing a Unique Business Identifier |
Accenture |
Q1 2018 |
€51,660 |
|
DPER Diversity and Inclusion Diagnostic Report |
EY |
Internal Report |
€28,905 |
|
Reports of Review of Flood Risk Management Plan; Environmental Reports; Strategic Environmental Assessment Statement and; Natura Impact Statement |
Fehily, Timoney & Co. |
April 2018 |
€58,850 |
|
Data Protection Audit Report for BTS Applications |
Cygnus Consulting |
1 June 2018 |
€5,707.20 |
|
Pay and Benefits for Nurses, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and Consultants - International Data |
Treacy Consulting/Willis Towers Watson |
4 September 2018 |
€75,786 |
|
Engage to Change - A Collaborative Study on Recruitment and Retention of Nurses, Midwives and Doctors |
Research Matters |
4 September 2018 |
€113,482 |
|
Independent Review of the Tender Advisory Service |
Research Matters |
November 2018 |
€23,979 |
|
Research into Experience of Engagement with the OGP among client Public Sector Bodies |
Coyne Research Associations Ltd. |
Internal Report |
€36,300 |
|
Tender Submission Financial Analysis Report |
Anne Brady McQuillans DFK |
Internal Report |
€1,722 |
|
Civil Service Renewal |
Deloitte |
Internal Report |
€17,958 |
172. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will liaise with the local authority to formulate a plan for the refurbishment and ongoing use of the historical building further to repair work done to the roof of a building (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50233/18]
View answerThe Office of Public Works does not have a role in any planned refurbishment of the former Courthouse building as the property is owned by the local Council.
173. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public events he attended by county since 1 May 2018 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50288/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that details of the public events that I have attended are available in my diary which is published on my Department's website at https://www.per.gov.ie/en/ministers-diary/.
174. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of contracts and-or tenders that have been awarded to a company (details supplied); the value of these contracts, that is, the amount the company has been paid; the services the contracts were for; and the number of public sector and-or publicly funded catering facilities being run by the company. [50368/18]
View answerMy Department does not have any contracts with the company in question.
175. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the report that has been prepared in respect of coastal erosion across all 19 local authorities in which coastlines are under threat from erosion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/18]
View answerThe report referred to by the Deputy is the Local Authority Coastal Erosion Policy and Practice Audit - Final Report, 30 November 2017. This report was commissioned by Fingal County Council on behalf of nineteen local authorities whose coastlines are under threat from coastal erosion. It was submitted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) in April 2018 by the Chair of the CCMA, Climate Change and Emergency Planning Committee.
The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland replied to the CCMA at that time indicating that while they have responsibility for co-ordinating Government policy on flood risk management, including coastal flooding, they do not have strategic responsibility for coastal erosion.
Strategic responsibility for the coast, including coastal erosion, is a matter for my colleague, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
176. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of the recent erection of the new promenade and coastal protection and rock armour in Laytown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50394/18]
View answer177. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount allocated to Meath County Council for the new promenade and coastal protection and rock armour recently erected in Laytown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50395/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
I visited this area recently and am aware of the excellent work that has been undertaken by Meath County Council in Laytown.
Following the severe storms of Winter 2013/2014, the Government allocated funding for clean-up, repair and restoration works in relation to public infrastructure that was damaged in the period 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014. Funding for the repair of damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure was made available to the Local Authorities via the Office of Public Works (OPW), based on programmes of works submitted by the local authorities.
Total funding of €126,792 was allocated by the OPW to Meath County Council for the repair of damaged coastal protection infrastructure. The Council has confirmed that the works at Laytown, including the replacement of sea defence systems (gabions/rock armour revetment) were carried out using this funding. This was a once-off allocation, and no further funding is available under this stream. The OPW was therefore not in a position to approve an application for further funding in this regard received earlier this year from Meath County Council.
As the works at Laytown were carried out by Meath County Council, details on the full cost of those works should be sought directly from the Local Authority.
178. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding his Department, including the Office of Public Works, has allocated in each year and expended since June 2016 on upgrading infrastructure at Dublin and Rosslare ports to prepare for the possibility of the UK becoming a third country with the EU and increased export certification in addition to sanitary and phytosanitary controls required; and if the information cannot be provided, the reason therefor. [50446/18]
View answerNo funding has been allocated to date by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform or the Office of Public Works on upgrading infrastructure at Dublin and Rosslare ports to prepare for the possibility of the UK becoming a third country with the EU.
179. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects to publish and introduce the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50532/18]
View answerThe primary purpose of Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill is to allow management decisions around serious disciplinary sanctions, up to and including dismissal, to be devolved in the civil service. The changes in the Act will enable the civil service to improve and modernise disciplinary and dismissal processes and bring them in line with good practice elsewhere.
The General Scheme of the Bill is published on my Department's website alongside the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis. The Deputy will find this information at the following link: https://hr.per.gov.ie/civil-service-regulation-amendment-bill-2018/.
Officials in my Department and in the Office of the Attorney General are working on the drafting of this Bill. When this drafting process is finalised I will seek Government approval to publish the Bill.
180. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on the upkeep, staffing and event costs for a building (details supplied) in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50582/18]
View answerSteward's House is managed as part of the estate of Farmleigh and as such, it does not have dedicated staff and annual costs are not apportioned specifically to the property.
The following repair and refurbishment works have been carried out on Steward's House, Farmleigh in the last five years.
1) 2013 repairs to brick paving and gravel in front driveway cost €12,500 plus VAT;
2) 2016 repairs to garden wall €12,490 plus VAT.
Building Maintenance Services, a service department of the OPW, provides reactive and preventative minor maintenance in Steward's House as part of their normal duties at Farmleigh Estate.
Farmleigh outdoor staff carry out grass and hedge cutting at Steward's House as part of their normal rostered duties at the estate.
Farmleigh Housekeeping Service ensures that Steward's House house is ready for occupation as part of regular work at Farmleigh House, on an ad hoc basis, with no separate apportioning of cost. Costs associated with servicing Steward's House would amount to no more than €500 annually.
181. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the north quay, Drogheda, will be included in scheduled flood relief works in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50753/18]
View answerThe outline design concept for the proposed Flood Relief Scheme (FRS) at Drogheda, Co. Louth, which was developed as part of the OPW's CFRAM programme, currently includes proposals for works at the north quay. The Drogheda FRS has an estimated cost of €16.8 million and is planned to include construction of a series of hard defences (flood embankments and walls) along the River Boyne, and improvement of conveyance, hard defences and a flow diversion channel on various tributaries, protecting over 380 properties when completed. Full details of the proposals can be found at Floodinfo.ie.
The OPW has set up a project steering group for the Drogheda FRS, comprising of OPW personnel and representatives from Louth County Council. The steering group will oversee the further development of the proposed scheme, and consider the approach to implementation, having regard to the nature of the project.
The first main task of the steering group will be to initiate the procurement of engineering design consultants and environmental consultants from the framework for such consultants established by the OPW. When appointed, the consultants will then be part of the project steering group.
182. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding and-or grant aid his Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and-or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the funding and-or grant aid is used is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50064/18]
View answerThere are no payments recorded on my Department's Financial Management System in respect of the body identified by the Deputy.
183. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years March 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the cost of same; the company involved; and the title and publication date by report in tabular form. [50094/18]
View answerDetails of consultancy payments made by my Department for the years 2011 to 2017 inclusive are available on the Department's website: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Corporate-Reports/Financial-Reports/Expenditure-on-Consultancy.
Information in relation to consultancy expenditure is compiled annually in respect of the previous year. The data in respect of 2018 will be available in early 2019.
It is the policy of my Department to minimise to the greatest extent possible the use of external consultancy. However, external consultants are hired occasionally in circumstances where particular expertise is not available internally and where it is deemed to add value to the overall work of the Department. My Department continues to monitor proposals to engage external consultants to ensure value for money.
