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Tuesday, 6 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 298-312

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (298)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

298. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to his Department to date of all fines paid by Ireland for non-transposition of EU directives into Irish law; the breakdown, by directive of the lump sum cost and the daily cost of each fine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28616/20]

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Written answers

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has not incurred any fines for non-transposition of EU directives into Irish law.

Pension Provisions

Questions (299)

Richard Bruton

Question:

299. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the proposals in respect of increases proposed for An Post pensioners have been considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28621/20]

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Written answers

Officials from my Department are currently examining a request regarding pension increases proposed for An Post pensioners. As part of the decision making process further information and clarifications on issues arising from the request has been sought from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment.

Typically, as part of any such decisions due account must be taken of the overall funding position in the relevant pension funds and consideration is also usually given to the impact of pension increases on the ongoing sustainability of pension funds.

A decision on the request will be made in due course.

Garda Stations

Questions (300)

Neale Richmond

Question:

300. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total space in square metres occupied by car parking space at Donnybrook Garda Station, Dublin 4; the precise number of car parking spaces; if the OPW has responsibility for the usage and maintenance of the car park; if alternative development on this space has ever been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28627/20]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Commissioners that the size of the station site that is currently occupied is c.2,500 sqm. A total of 44 car spaces are assigned to An Garda Siochana on the site.

While the OPW maintains the property, the use of the car park and the allocation of spaces is a matter for An Garda Siochana.

Similarly, in relation to maintenance works, any additional facilities or future development on the site, this is determined by An Garda Siochana in line with their operational requirements; and submitted to the OPW.

The OPW has not been made aware of any alternative development plans for the site.

Defence Forces Remuneration

Questions (301)

Gerald Nash

Question:

301. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the review of pay structures of the medium term project being led by his Department relating to the high level plan Strengthening Our Defence Forces; the status of the medium term project; the deadline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28641/20]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Service Pay Commission in its Report on certain health professionals published in August 2018, recommended "that the parties to the Public Service Agreement should consider putting arrangements in place, at an appropriate time, and without compromising the stability of the public service pay bill, to allow for the adequacy of current pay arrangements more generally to be fully examined."

The focus of efforts to date has been on implementation of the various measures contained in Phase 1 High Level Plan 'Strengthening our Defence Forces'. My Department has progressed and completed the following projects:

- Increase in Military Service Allowance;

- Restoration of Allowances cut under the Haddington Road Agreement;

- Restoration of Weekend Premium rates;

- Restore Pilot Service Commitment Scheme.

Changes to the pay of public servants, including the Permanent Defence Force, can only be considered in a public service wide context and by the parties to the Public Service Agreement, both now and in the future.

Departmental Data

Questions (302)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

302. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide statistical information and costings (details supplied) in tabular form. [28667/20]

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Written answers

The July Stimulus set out a range of tax and expenditure measures to provide targeted supports to stimulate activity across the economy, provide assistance to firms and to support employment. Table 1 below sets out the 2021 cost of tax and expenditure measures announced as part of the July Stimulus.

Table 1 – 2021 Cost of July Stimulus Measures (€bn)

€bn

Tax Measures

0.32

Stay and Spend Initiative

0.14

VAT

0.16

Cycle-to-Work

0.002

Interest reduction on tax liabilities

0.02

Current Expenditure Measures

1.37

Pandemic Unemployment Payment

0.4

Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme

0.9

Labour Market Activation Measures

0.07

Capital Expenditure Measures

0.1

Capital Works

0.1

In addition to this, there will be significant further Covid-19 related expenditure allocated for 2021 as part of the Budget 2021 process. Ensuring the provision of the necessary funding to support our people and key public services over the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic will be the key priority in Budget 2021. In light of this, work is ongoing in assessing the impact of further Covid-19 costs in 2021. As set out in a previous Parliamentary Question, on a no policy change (NPC) basis, and assuming an improved position in relation to employment next year based on the latest macroeconomic projections, it is estimated that there could be a cost of approximately €9 billion in relation to Covid-19 expenditure in 2021. This figure is inclusive of the carryover costs of the July Stimulus set out above. However, this amount is subject to significant uncertainty, with a need in particular to work through in detail the requirements for the Health service next year and also the impact on income and employment supports of the impact of the pandemic on the labour market. This work in relation to estimating the NPC position will be finalised this week and reflected in the White Paper - Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure to be published on 9th October.

Further information will also be set out in detail in the 2021 Expenditure Report. It should be noted that these pressures will be dealt with separately from core expenditure increases and given their scale, will form a significant part of the overall package of budgetary measures for 2021.

As is usual, there are a number of pre-commitments in relation to core expenditure for Budget 2021. Table 2 below sets out these current and capital core expenditure pre-commitments for Budget 2021, totalling €2 billion. Work is ongoing in finalising these costs, and on the emerging core expenditure position for this year for this year, as part of the normal budgetary process.

Table 2 – Pre-Committed Core Expenditure 2021 (€bn)

€bn

Total Pre-Committed

2.0

Demographics

0.5

Carryover of Budget 2020 Current Expenditure Measures

0.2

PSSA

0.4

Capital - NDP

1.0

Standards in Public Office Commission

Questions (303, 304)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

303. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Secretary General of his Department consulted with SIPO in advance and-or after the fact regarding their appointment to an organisation (details supplied). [28670/20]

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Catherine Murphy

Question:

304. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Secretary General of his Department made an application to the outside appointments board in order to take on their role with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28672/20]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 304 together.

The appointment of the Secretary General of my Department as a non-Executive Director at this sporting organisation is in a purely personal capacity and is being undertaken on a voluntary basis. He is continuing to serve in his role as Secretary General and the steps raised in these questions do not arise.

Office of Public Works

Questions (305)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

305. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will be requested to carry out the necessary works to recover the remains of persons (details supplied) in line with the wishes of their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28858/20]

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Written answers

Consideration of any proposal to undertake an exhumation and re-interral project of the Invincibles’ remains at Kilmainham Gaol is not a unilateral matter for the Commissioners of Public Works. It is a matter for decision by the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Housing in the first instance.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (306)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

306. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has engaged a third-party company in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 to conduct online and or social media monitoring and or provide reports on social media coverage of his Department; if so, the cost of same; and if the name of the social media platforms being monitored will be provided. [28923/20]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has not incurred any costs associated with social media monitoring in the years specified.

Departmental Data

Questions (307)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff in his Department on sick leave between March and September by month in 2019 and to date 2020; the pay arrangements that exist for staff on sick leave for an extended period of time; the number of sick days accounted for by his Department over the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/20]

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Written answers

The table below outlines the number of staff in the Department for whom sick leave was recorded per month for the period of March to September in 2019 and 2020.

Departmental Staff

Sick pay arrangements:

The arrangements for paid sick leave in the Public Service are in accordance with the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations (S.I. 124 of 2014) and the administration of the Scheme is managed on a sectoral level by each public service employer.

The access to paid sick leave as provided for in the Scheme is as follows.

Ordinary Sick Leave

Under the Scheme, public servants have access to the following paid sick leave:

- a maximum of 92 days (3 months) on full pay in a rolling one year period;

- followed by a maximum of 91 days (3 months) on half pay;

- subject to a maximum of 183 days (6 months) paid sick leave in a rolling four year period.

Critical Illness Protocol (CIP)

Regulation 12 of the Public Service Sick Leave Regulations, provides for extended sick pay for critical illness or injury may be awarded in two types of situation:

(a) where the occupational health physician has certified that the individual is suffering from a critical illness, serious injury or serious medical condition; and

(b) where there are exceptional circumstances relating to an illness, injury or condition – either previous or current – that justifies its award.

Regulation 12 also sets out the maximum levels of sick pay to which an individual may have access in cases of critical illness or injury. These are:

- a maximum of 183 days (6 months) on full pay in a rolling 12-month period,

- followed by a maximum of 182 days (6 months) on half pay, subject to an overall maximum of 365 days of sick pay in a rolling 4 year period

Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration

In addition, Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration (TRR) may be granted to public servants who have exhausted sick leave at full and half pay and where there is a reasonable prospect of recovery and return to work.

If the required eligibility criteria are met, as set out below, for the payment of TRR the maximum period payable is 547 days in the case of ordinary illness, there is increased access to TRR under the CIP if applicable.

Requirements for the eligibility for access to TRR are;

(a) an individual must have the service required for an ill health retirement pension; and

(b) there must be a reasonable prospect of return to work to give regular and effective service

State Bodies

Questions (308)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

308. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the breakdown of salaries, expenses and so on paid to Board members of RTÉ in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [28719/20]

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Written answers

As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I have responsibility for the governance of RTÉ to ensure the company is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies and the governance functions included in the legislative and regulatory framework for broadcasting.

The RTÉ Board are appointed under Section 81 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 for a period not exceeding five years. The Act provides for a 12 member Board, to be appointed by the Government.

Section 84 of the Broadcasting Act provides for the payment of remuneration and expenses to members of the Board, out of monies at the disposal of the corporation, as determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

In November 2019, in the context of cost reduction initiatives identified as part of the revised RTÉ strategy 2020-2024, the Board members announced their intention to waive their fees, effective 1 January 2020.

The RTÉ Board fees and expenses are outlined in the table below:

2016 (€’000)

2017(€’000)

2018(€’000)

2019(€’000)

2020 to date (€’000)

Board Member Fees

146

157

137

139

0*

Expenses (Travel and Subsistence)

41

40

24

26

4.4

Total

187

197

161

165

4.4**

*In 2020, the RTÉ Board agreed to waive all fees due to them so no fees have been paid this year.

** In total, €4,387 has been paid in expenses to Board members relating to expenses incurred in 2019.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (309)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

309. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans regarding cancelled events and festivals in County Louth (details supplied). [28210/20]

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Written answers

Festivals and participative events, many of which are supported by Fáilte Ireland, support the tourism industry by motivating people to travel, to generate footfall, economic activity and – importantly from a tourism perspective – bed-nights across the country.

However, as we balance managing virus-related risks with facilitating continued economic and social activity, we must limit gatherings and group social interactions in order to suppress the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, this approach has necessitated the cancellation of many festivals and participative events across the country – including in County Louth.

Fáilte Ireland is working with local stakeholders in County Louth to enhance and promote the county’s overall tourism offering and to maximise the tourism and overall economic return. Fáilte Ireland has a wide programme of supports in place for the county, with further planning underway to inform additional destination development. I have asked the tourism agency to provide the Deputy with further detail on existing and planned tourism supports for Co. Louth. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

Sports Capital Programme

Questions (310)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

310. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht when applications will be open for the next phase of sports capital grants (details supplied). [28212/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCP and to prioritise the investment in disadvantaged areas.

The most recent (2018) round of the SCP attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline. The review of these appeals was completed in April with 6 new allocations approved.

The priority to date this year has been to advance all projects previously allocated funding to ensure the facilities are available for use and that the relevant grants are drawn down. In this regard, over €20m has been paid out to over 800 different sports clubs and groups so far this year.

With regard to future rounds of the programme, a full Review of the 2018 round of the SCP has now been completed and the terms and conditions of the next round of the programme will be based on the recommendations in the Review. Work on these terms and conditions is now being finalised and an announcement in relation to the timing of the next round will be made after that is completed.

Departmental Projects

Questions (311)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

311. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the status of the development of the website of her Department (details supplied). [28214/20]

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Written answers

The Transfer of Functions Order, bringing Tourism and Sport functions to my Department, was approved by Government on Tuesday, 15 September 2020, and came into effect the following day. Media functions were transferred to my Department with effect from the 23 of September with the Heritage functions and Islands functions transferring out of my Department with effect from 9 September and 23 September respectively

Work has been ongoing between officials in my Department and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to create a website for the newly configured Department to be integrated into Gov.ie and this will go live shortly.

In the meantime, information in relation to Sport, Culture and Tourism and other activities, particularly those impacted by new Covid-19 guidelines, are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/. Details in relation to the Sports Capital Programme can be found at the following link: www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie

An Coimisinéir Teanga

Questions (312)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

312. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta soiléiriú a thabhairt i dtaobh na hidirghníomhaíochta a bhí aici le RTÉ ó dheimhnigh an Coimisinéir Teanga in 2018 gur sháraigh RTÉ an dlí craolacháin maidir lena dhualgas i leith na Gaeilge agus 99.3% dá sceideal teilifíse i mBéarla amháin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [28305/20]

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Written answers

Leagtar amach in Alt 114 d'Acht 2009 príomhchuspóirí agus cumhachtaí gaolmhara RTÉ, agus sainítear gur

- cheart go dtabharfadh na cláir léargas ar ilchineálacht chultúir oileán uile na hÉireann agus aird ar leith a thabhairt ar na hairíonna a shainíonn an cultúr sin agus an Ghaeilge go háirithe; ,

- go ndéanfar le clársceidil réimse cuimsitheach clár Gaeilge agus Béarla a chur ar fáil a fhreagróidh d’éagsúlacht chultúir agus lena bhfreastalaítear ar ionchais an phobail i gcoitinne mar aon le hionchais daoine den phobal a bhfuil spéiseanna speisialta nó spéiseanna mionlaigh acu; agus,

- Ba chóir cláracha nuachta agus cláracha cúrsaí reatha i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla a bheith san áireamh i soláthar cláracha RTÉ

Tá RTÉ freagrach don Oireachtas agus faoi réir maoirseachta ag rialálaí neamhspleách, Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann (BAI). I gcomhréir le hAlt 102 den Acht, foilsíonn RTÉ Ráitis Bhliantúla faoi Gheallúintí Feidhmíochta le spriocanna a bhaineann le réimse seirbhísí, an Ghaeilge san áireamh. Déanann an BAI a fheidhmíocht a athbhreithniú i gcomhthéacs na spriocanna sin gach bliain agus tuairiscíonn domsa maidir le haon difríochtaí a thagann chun cinn ina bhfeidhmíocht le hais a ngeallúintí agus thuarascáil an BAI agus cuirtear mo fhreagra faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais. Ba chóir dom a lua go bhfuil RTÉ, i gcomhréir le hAlt 98 den Acht Craolacháin, 2009 neamhspleách maidir lena chuid cuspóirí a bhaint amach agus nach bhfuil aon ról agamsa ina chuid oibríochtaí laethúla ná ina chuid cinntí cláracha. Dá bhrí sin, ní bheadh sé ceart agamsa tuairim a thabhairt ar ábhar sceideal na gcláracha. Tá súil agam athbhreithniú bliantúil an BAI a fháil ar gheallúintí feidhmíochta 2019 RTÉ sna seachtainí amach romhainn agus tabharfaidh mé aird ach go háirithe ar a chuid tuairimí maidir le geallúintí RTÉ i leith na Gaeilge.

An méid sin ráite, tuigtear dom gur léiríodh in imscrúdú a rinne an Coimisinéir Teanga i 2018 nach raibh RTÉ ag craoladh réimse cuimsitheach clár i nGaeilge ar chainéil teilifíse an stáisiúin mar atá éilithe san Acht Craolacháin. Iarraidh ar RTÉ plean feidhmithe a ullmhú chun réimse cuimsitheach clár teilifíse i nGaeilge agus cláir theilifíse cúrsaí reatha i nGaeilge a chur ar fáil. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil ardú suntasach á bheartú ag RTÉ ar líon uaireanta na gclár Gaeilge ó 123 sa bhliain 2017 go dtí íosmhéid 533 sa bhliain 2020.

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