Written Answers Nos. 302-321
302. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of insurers that have communicated to the Central Bank an intention to pay dividends in 2020; the actions of the Central Bank in response in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22206/20]
View answer304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of insurers that have communicated to the Central Bank an intention to pay bonuses in 2020; the actions of the Central Bank in response in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 304 together.
In response to the Deputy’s question, my officials contacted the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) for information on these matters. In their reply, the CBI indicated that as the information sought by the Deputy relates to their day-to-day supervisory work of insurers and reinsurers, they are precluded from providing a response to your question. They also noted that they do not divulge firm specific information with respect to their supervisory activities. However, the CBI did state that it has set out its position in relation to dividend distributions and variable remuneration (including bonuses) by insurers (including reinsurers) on its website.
In this regard, in relation to the payment of dividends specifically, the CBI notes that the impact of COVID-19 on the solvency and liquidity positions of insurance firms remains uncertain, but it is likely to be significant for many of the insurance firms under its supervision. In this context, the CBI considers that insurance firms should postpone any payment of dividend distributions or similar transactions until they can forecast their costs and future revenues with a greater degree of certainty. Where the board of an insurance firm forms the view that a high level of certainty has been reached and wishes to make a distribution, the CBI expects the firm to engage with its supervision team before proceeding with the distribution, demonstrating satisfactory forward looking solvency, liquidity and operational resilience positions in light of the current environment.
In relation to the payment of bonuses, the CBI informed my officials that it expects firms to exercise prudence in respect of their variable remuneration policies, including considering whether postponement of related payments would be appropriate during this time.
In conclusion, the CBI notes that both approaches above are consistent with the relevant statement published by EIOPA on 2 April and the recommendation of the ESRB on 8 June. The Deputy will be aware from my previous replies of 20 May and 23 June to Deputy Carthy on the issue of dividend payments that I understand that a number of firms have announced that they have deferred paying dividends in the context of these statements and I welcome this approach.
305. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Finance the reason labour for arts and entertainment is not treated equally to other service workers in terms of VAT; his plans to ensure such labour will be chargeable at the rate of 13.5% similar to other labour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22282/20]
View answerThe rate of VAT applicable to the supply of a service is determined by the nature of that service.
Certain services specified in the VAT Consolidation Act, such as the care of the human body or construction services are chargeable to VAT at the lower rate of VAT, all other services, including those provided by accountants and solicitors, for example, are chargeable to VAT at the standard rate.
Under Irish VAT law the supply of services by writers, composers and performing artists are subject to the standard rate of VAT, currently 21%. The providers of such services are required to register for VAT where their supplies exceed €37,000 per annum, and the VAT charged is deductible by the recipients of the supplies where they are registered for VAT and the supplies are used in the course of the recipients’ taxable business activities.
306. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the rules governing the withdrawal of funds from private pensions; if a consumer can withdraw all of their money while paying the relevant tax without the assistance of external tax or financial consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22306/20]
View answerWithdrawals from private pensions before retirement are only possible in certain limited circumstances – for example, where an employee leaves a pensionable employment and receives a refund of contributions made to the associated pension scheme. Such refunds are governed by the rules of individual pension schemes and are usually only permitted where the individual has less than two years of “qualifying service” in the employment.
In relation to withdrawals from private pensions after retirement, the manner in which funds may be withdrawn varies depending upon the type of pension product. Occupational Pension Schemes and Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) typically provide for the payment of a lump sum and/or a regular pension income, the level of which is dictated by the terms of the pension product into which the savings were originally invested. Alternatively, RACs and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) can be used to either purchase an annuity, which will provide an income in retirement, or alternatively may be invested into an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) on retirement.
As is normally the case in respect of any of their tax obligations, it is a matter for the individual taxpayer to judge themselves whether the assistance of external advice is required, having regard to the complexity of the issue that is raised and the nature of the pension scheme they have entered into. Revenue have published detailed guidance on tax obligations that may arise in respect of pensions which is available at https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/pensions/index.aspx
Regular pensions in payment are subject to income tax deduction at source under the PAYE system. Lump sums on retirement may be paid tax free subject to certain limits. The deduction and remittance to Revenue of taxes due on the pension is administered by the pension provider, rather than the pensioner.
An Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) is a post-retirement personal fund which allows an individual greater flexibility over investment options. An ARF holder may withdraw all funds from an ARF, provided that they have retirement income separate to the ARF income in excess of €12,700. Withdrawals from an ARF are subject to income tax deduction at source under the PAYE system, which is also administered by the ARF provider rather than the ARF holder.
307. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of times and the dates on which the working group to monitor cryptocurrency development has met since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22314/20]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this query, as it allows me to throw light on the work undertaken by this Department in an extremely complex and technical area.
The aims of the Intra-Departmental Working Group are as follows:
- to monitor developments at a global (example: Financial Stability Board, Financial Action Task Force, International Monetary Fund) and European level (example: European Commission, European Parliament and European Central Bank) in relation to virtual currencies and blockchain, and to provide input into the discussions as and when required
- to build knowledge of developments in the technology with an aim to identify risks and assess potential economic opportunities for Ireland;
- to engage with subject matter experts across industry, academia and the private sector to help build a dynamic communication flow;
- to liaise with other areas of government to assess where involvement might be required;
- to consider whether suitable policy recommendations are required;
- to assist in promoting a better understanding of the technology across government;
- to align with Ireland’s IFS2020 Strategy to foster opportunities in international financial services by building on the country’s strengths in technology, research and financial services.
The aims of the working group, as stated above, clearly set out a holistic approach to the technology, its potential benefits and risks. Monitoring of cryptocurrencies (a subset of crypto assets, which are a subset of digital assets), would too narrowly focus on one of the applications of blockchain technology.
The impact of blockchain technology has been felt on every division of the Department: payments, consumer protection, securities and capital markets, economics, taxation and anti-money laundering. Considering this cross-cutting impact, the working group was set up with a dedicated small team as coordinator, the financial advisory team, part of the Shareholding and Financial Advisory Division.
The financial advisory team have acted as the “spoke” in the wheel, reaching out to each expert division as and when required. The team acted as both a source of technical knowledge for the department and an anchor of the department’s views, as developments in the technology occurred (and continue to do).
This agile structure has provided the department three significant benefits:
- continuity of expertise knowledge, residing in the “spoke” centre, even as department staff moved roles
- consistency of approach vis a vis cryptoassets and blockchain technology, irrespective of the division
- clarity of line of engagement, internally, across government and with the wider blockchain ecosystem in Ireland and abroad.
Understanding of this set up, and aims, of the working group is of utmost importance in order to answer the Deputy’s question.
A list of meetings and dates as requested, for the “spoke” team for example, involve a list of almost daily meetings and interactions for the last 3 years. Their time commitment supporting the aims of the working group was 25-30% of their daily work in year 1. Due to the number and pace of developments in this area, time allocated to supporting these aims increased to a significant majority of their time.
As knowledge and interest in cryptoassets grew globally, particularly over the last 2 years, so did the number of deliverables across the department. Engagement has thus been on a need-basis, maintaining consistency always with the financial advisory team. Meetings have either followed an ad-hoc request for technical information (e.g. STO’s) or ongoing support over a long period of time (e.g. 5 AML regulation).
I measure the effectiveness of the working group not by the number of times it has met, but by the work that the department has produced, the quality of the briefings and the reputation is has built in Ireland, at EU and global level, in a very complex topic. I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the Department’s website which contains additional information at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/67039d-b/
As an example of the effectiveness of the working group, I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the following:
- Engagement at European level:
- the European Commission’s Fintech Action plan report
- the EU Blockchain Observatory & Forum.
- the European Blockchain Partnership.
- European Commission’s consultation on cryptoassets.
- INATBA (https://inatba.org/organization/)
- Engagement at Global level:
- Member of OECD’s Ad hoc Expert Group on Finance and Digitalisation
- Member of OECD’s Blockchain Advisory Group
- Member of Government Blockchain Association (GBA)
- Member of Global Digital Finance (GDF)
- Member of World Economic Forum – Digital Currency Governance Consortium
Additionally, I would like to draw the Deputy’s attention to the work undertaken by the working group to engage experts and liaise with stakeholders, in order to continue to build upon the Department’s knowledge of this technology. An example of this was the hosting of a government wide blockchain event in late January 2019, when the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Finance hosted a ‘blockchain hackathon’ in the Trinity Innovation Centre. The event saw nine teams of software developers competing to solve a number of technical challenges from across Government: www.blockathonireland.com
Finally, the department has ongoing engagement academia, Enterprise Ireland, private sector and the IDA via the ‘Blockchain Ireland’ initiative. Blockchain Ireland is an IDA-led forum established as a vehicle to promote and enhance the blockchain industry in Ireland: www.blockchainireland.net
308. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Finance the areas in which the proceeds from the sale of Aer Lingus which established the connectivity fund (details supplied) have been invested to date; the value of the investments; the amount that has not been invested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22441/20]
View answerIn 2015, €335 million was transferred from the Exchequer to the ISIF for the purpose of a new Connectivity Fund within the discretionary portfolio. The ISIF have advised me that it has completed four investments under the Connectivity Fund, namely:
- A $28 million co-investment in Aqua Comms DAC, a company that has developed fibre optic cables linking the USA, Ireland (Killala, Mayo) and the UK.
- A €35 million investment as a strategic domestic partner for DAA plc long-term bond issuance, supporting construction of a new runway at Dublin Airport.
- Provision of a long term €14 million debt facility to finance a runway resurfacing project at Shannon Airport - a crucial regional and national infrastructure asset. This debt facility was signed in early 2017 and the runway resurfacing project has been completed on time and within budget.
- An €18 million Junior Debt facility to support the relocation of the Port of Cork from Tivoli to Ringaskiddy. The ISIF debt facility was provided alongside senior debt from Allied Irish Banks and the European Investment Bank and was structured to ensure certainty of funding for the Port Company. It also has tailored flexibility to meet the requirements of this nationally and regionally significant project.
These investments bring the total deployed under the Connectivity Fund to over €90 million.
309. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the number of vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to his Department in Civil Service accommodation outside Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22480/20]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that there are currently no vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to the Department of Finance in civil service accommodation outside Dublin city.
310. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he has been notified by the Central Bank as to the number of credit unions that have saving and lending restrictions in place; and the number, location and type of restrictions that are in place in tabular form. [22508/20]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I have requested the information from the Central Bank referred to in his question. The Central Bank have informed me that there is insufficient time to gather and collate the information in the format requested in the time allowed. I will revert to the Deputy with a full response to his question as soon as the Central Bank come back to me with their response.
311. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance if he has been notified by the Central Bank that an additional 20% increase in pension contributions is to be awarded to staff at the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22509/20]
View answerThe Central Bank of Ireland's Superannuation Scheme (the Central Bank & Financial Services Authority of Ireland Superannuation 2008) was established by Statutory Instrument and the benefits must mirror those of the civil service superannuation schemes. The employee contribution rate also mirrors the contributions made by Civil Servants including the Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC) introduced by the Dail in January 2019. As the Central Bank Scheme is a funded scheme, contributions from both employees and the Central Bank are invested in a fund administered by Trustees. The Scheme fully satisfies the Pension Authority's Funding Standard and has done every year since it was established in 2008.
The Central Bank's contribution rate to the Superannuation Scheme is set every three years informed by a valuation report prepared by the Scheme Actuary. I have been advised that the most recent valuation, conducted by the Scheme Actuary Lane Clark & Peacock Ireland Ltd., recommended that the Central Bank's contribution rate increase from 15.9% to 19.2%, effective 1 January 2021. This recommendation was accepted by the Trustees of the Scheme and approved by the Central Bank Commission. This increased contribution rate will ensure that the Scheme continues to meet the funding requirements set by the Pensions Authority and is able to meet future obligations.
313. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for each role in tabular form. [22528/20]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that on the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, have been approved by Government.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have re-engaged the two Special Advisers who worked with me during the 32nd Dáil, which is subject to Government approval.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
A breakdown of staff seconded into the Department of Finance by grade is supplied in the table below. The staff in question operate in various roles with varying responsibilities appropriate to their grade across the structures of the Department. Staff seconded into the Department of Finance retain their existing terms and conditions of employment. Please see table below :
|
Grade |
Number |
PPC Standard Scale |
PPC Higher Scale |
Non PPC Standard Scale |
Non PPC Higher Scale |
|
Principal Officer (Head of Legal Unit) |
1 |
€87,325€107,399 |
€93,785€115,051 |
€83,090€102,159 |
€89,219€109,430 |
|
Assistant Principal |
5 |
€67,659€83,740 |
€74,068€91,961 |
€65,356€79,681 |
€70,490€87,495 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
€24,104€37,855 |
€26,864€40,620 |
€24,828€36,053 |
€25,937€38,681 |
There are also a number of specialists seconded from the NTMA but these are not on the Department of Finance payroll.
Three staff are currently working in an acting capacity on a temporary basis.
314. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Finance the number of special advisers that will be hired by his Department. [22787/20]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I have retained both of the Special Advisers I had during the 32nd Dáil.
No decision has yet been made on a Special Adviser for Minister of State Sean Fleming.
315. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public servants excluding healthcare workers, gardaí, Defence Forces personnel, primary school teachers and secondary school teachers that were placed on sick leave due to stress in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, by the relevant Department and State agency; and the proportion this number represents of the total number employed in each year. [19862/20]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, Sick Leave Statistics for the Public Service are published on an annual basis by my Department. The published statistics show the overall lost time rate owing to sickness absence, the average number of days lost per full time equivalent and the overall cost of sick leave broken down by certified and self-certified sick leave cost.
Data on nature of illness is not requested across the Public Service when compiling and publishing annual statistics, therefore the data and information presented below relates to the Civil Service only.
It should be noted by the Deputy when reviewing this data
- These figures have been provided to my Department by the National Shared Services Office.
- Employees are not obliged to state the nature of the illness on medical certificates or on the NSSO Human Resources Management System (HRMS) when self-reporting illness and absence.
|
*Headcount |
||||
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
33523 |
34642 |
35905 |
37482 |
38124 |
|
**Stress Leave Instances |
||||
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
990 |
924 |
859 |
800 |
320 |
|
Cases as a % of Headcount |
||||
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
3.0% |
2.7% |
2.4% |
2.1% |
0.8% |
*Headcount figures are based on National Shared Services Office customer base as of 04 September 2020.
**The term “Stress Leave Instances” refers to every time a new absence is raised. It does not represent the duration of absence or the number of people who are out on sick leave at any given time.
316. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of construction works at the new Bailieborough Garda station; the completion date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21228/20]
View answerThe pre-qualification procedures for the Main Contractor and Reserved Specialists is completed. Subject to approval it is expected that tender documentation will issue in October 2020, with Contract award after tender receipt and evaluation, and before the end of 2020. Construction work will take approx. 18 months to complete.
317. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when Leighlinbridge Garda station, County Carlow will reopen. [21306/20]
View answerA Programme for Government included for a ‘pilot programme of station re-openings’ throughout the country, including Leighlinbridge Garda Station. The Office of Public Works undertook technical surveys on the building and issued a report on the works required, indicative costs involved, and proposed layout to Garda Estate Management.
An Garda Síochána (AGS) forwarded a revised ‘Brief of Requirements’ containing some minor amendments. The deliberative process between An Garda Síochána and the OPW to finalise proposals is on-going. Upon final Garda sign-off, this Office will prepare, submit and publicise the necessary Part 9 Planning Application and progress the procurement of works required to re-open the Station. This is expected to take place in 2020.
318. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an equality budgeting statement will be published alongside budget 2021 in October 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21544/20]
View answerBuilt on the performance budgeting framework that has been progressively embedded into the budget cycle, Equality Budgeting in Ireland has been developed over recent years with a view to enhancing the role of resource allocation policies in advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 also contains a related commitment.
Equality budgeting should not be regarded as something separate from the budget process; the intention is to embed equality perspectives across the whole-of-year budgetary process.
The pilot programme of equality budgeting was introduced for the 2018 budgetary cycle, anchored in the existing performance budgeting framework. Following the achievements of the pilot programme, Equality Budgeting was expanded in 2019 to further develop the gender budgeting elements and to broaden its scope to other dimensions of equality including poverty, socioeconomic inequality and disability.
Responsibility for proofing expenditure programmes, the selection of indicators, and making progress towards achieving the high-level goals articulated remains a matter for the individual line Departments in the first instance. The role of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is to facilitate the initiative and provide support for Departments to clarify and to fulfil their equality-related objectives.
To further guide the rollout of equality budgeting, an Equality Budgeting Expert Advisory Group was established, holding its first meeting in September 2018. This group is comprised of a broad range of relevant stakeholders and policy experts to provide advice on the most effective way to advance equality budgeting policy and progress the initiative.
All public bodies in Ireland have responsibility to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans. This is a legal obligation, referred to as the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, and it originates in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) are members of the Expert Advisory group and the Public Sector Duty is reflected in all Equality Budgeting policies as appropriate.
My Department, in liaison with the Department of Justice and Equality, commissioned the OECD to undertake a Policy Scan of Equality Budgeting in Ireland. This was published in tandem with Budget 2020. The report reviews Ireland’s equality budgeting programme and provides recommendations on its further development, in light of international experience.
Implementation of the OECD recommendations has already commenced. This work is being guided by the Equality Budgeting Expert Advisory Group, and work is well underway, most notably on OECD recommendation 9, which calls for the development of an equality data strategy to further bolster the impact of equality budgeting.
Monitoring and reporting from a given dimension of equality is only possible if the necessary disaggregated data is available. With this in mind, the CSO have conducted a data audit to evaluate the quality of existing administrative datasets from an equality perspective. This audit has been guided by a sub-group of the Equality Budgeting Expert Advisory Group, and a report will be published in the coming weeks. Having a comprehensive understanding of the data landscape is a necessary prerequisite to implementing the remaining recommendations of the OECD report.
As outlined in the ‘Programme for Government - Our Shared Future’, the Government has committed to developing a set of wellbeing indicators to give a more rounded, holistic view of how our society is faring. A set of indicators will be developed to create a broader context for policy-making, to include a balanced scorecard for each area of public policy, focused on outcomes and the impact that those policies have on individuals and communities. The overriding focus is to improve the wellbeing of the Irish people and society.
The development of this work will be informed by the experience of other jurisdictions, which have developed similar measures in recent years. Through the Department of the Taoiseach, a group of experts will be convened to guide this work.
Through my Department's responsibility for Performance and Equality budgeting, work is already underway in examining developments in this area, particularly regarding international best practice. Leveraging the experience in identifying metrics which maximise transparency and accountability, and utilising the guidance we provide to line Departments in identifying the most appropriate measures to inform resource allocation decisions that make a positive impact of people's lives, my Department will play a key role in working with the Department of the Taoiseach and with colleagues across Government in delivering this work.
Once developed, the Government will ensure that a well-being framework can be utilised in a systematic way across public policy-making at local and national levels, in setting budgetary priorities, evaluating programmes and reporting on progress. This will be an important complement to existing economic measurement tools that are in place to support well-being and outcomes-based approaches to policy making.
One such existing tool is the ESRI’s SWITCH Model, which will continue to be utilised to help Government understand the impact of proposed reforms on households. Moreover, initiatives such as the Spending Review process, which is a key platform for evidence-informed policy making across the Civil Service, will continue to produce evidence relevant to the wellbeing and outcomes of people, households, businesses and sectors of the economy.
Taken as a whole, a broad range of initiatives are under way to advance the objectives of equality budgeting, and in particular to promote transparency and accountability in reporting across the budget cycle.
319. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding flooding in Kenmare, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21310/20]
View answerThe Flood Risk Management Plans launched by Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran in May 2018 include a recommendation to progress the project-level development and planning of nine new Flood Relief Schemes for County Kerry, (Tralee, Kenmare, Banna, Abbeydorney, Ballylongford, Castleisland and Tullig, Dingle, Killarney and Listowel).
A steering group, comprising of representatives from the Office of Public Works and Kerry County Council, is already in place to progress a number of these schemes, including the Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme. Kerry County Council appointed three additional technical and administrative staff to support the progression of these schemes in early 2020. These posts are being funded by the Office of Public Works to progress the schemes proposed for County Kerry under the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs).
Kenmare, along with Tralee, is due to be implemented as part of the first tranche of 60 new schemes that have been prioritised for implementation nationally.
Potentially viable flood relief works for Kenmare, to be implemented as appropriate after project-level assessment and planning (or Exhibition and confirmation), would include Fluvial Flood Defences comprising of walls and embankments on the Finnihy and Kealnagower rivers, and Tidal Flood Defences comprising of walls, embankments and removable barriers. The measures proposed also include the removal of the existing pipe under Finnihy Bridge.
These measures have a preliminary Total Project Cost Estimate of €5.43m and would protect 235 properties. Kerry County Council is on schedule to issue the request for tenders for engineering design consultants and environmental consultants, from the Office of Public Works’ framework, in October 2020.
Once consultants are appointed to progress the Flood Relief Scheme for Kenmare, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of this scheme.
320. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of applicants for the executive officer competition underway; the number of positions available at the grade from the competition; his plans for further competitions for the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21661/20]
View answerThe Public Appointments Service (PAS) is an independent, statutory body which provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil and public service.
PAS advertised an open and interdepartmental EO competition for the Civil Service in July 2020 and over 15,000 applications were received for same.
Vacancies will be filled by PAS, as and when required by employing Departments. The number of assignments from any particular panel depends on the demand from Departments/Offices and that demand is subject to their pay and numbers allocation.
321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21666/20]
View answerLocal flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. For areas not covered by the Arterial Drainage Maintenance Programme, the OPW operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. It is open to all Local Authorities to submit a funding application under the Scheme. This administrative Scheme’s eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. Any application received is considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
Dingle was assessed as one of the 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch on 3rd May, 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects, in addition to 42 major projects already completed, and 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW).
The CFRAM Programme identified potentially viable flood relief works for Dingle that may be implemented after project-level assessment. These proposals include the provision of a storage area on the Dingle Stream upstream of the town, some defences at the downstream end of the Milltown Stream and tidal flood defences comprising of sea walls and embankment.
While the proposed scheme for Dingle is not in this first tranche of projects to be progressed, the OPW and the local authority will work closely to ensure that it will be commenced in the coming years and within the 10-year timeframe for the programme of investment.
