Written Answers Nos. 96-117
96. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the role of managing authorities for the 2021-27 European regional development funds operational programmes; when the Crowe review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/20]
View answerOn the 22nd of October I announced that the Regional Assemblies will act as Managing Authorities for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programmes for the 2021 – 2027 programming period.
Ireland is likely to receive a total of €350m in ERDF funding, over the seven year period 2021-2027. Reflecting the two different EU classifications of the development status of different regions in Ireland, there will be two ERDF Operational Programmes (OP):
1. An OP for the area designated as ‘Region in Transition’, (as its GDP is 75%-100% of the EU27 average), is to be managed by the Northern Western Regional Assembly (NWRA).
2. An OP for the Southern Regional Area, and for the Eastern and Midlands Regional Authority Area, both designated as "Developed", (as GDP is more than 100% of the EU27 average), is to be managed by the Southern Regional Authority, with significant input from the Eastern and Midlands Regional Assembly.
In 2019, following a competitive tender, the Department undertook a review of Structures for the Management of ERDF in advance of the next programming round. ERDF funding will reduce further, to an expected €350m, over this 7 year period. The level of co-financing required to draw down these funds is expected to increase for all but the Northern Western region and activities eligible for support are likely to be concentrated further. Against this background, it was decided to undertake a review to streamline and simplify the structures in place for the administration of these funds. The Crowe Review, which will be published shortly, put forward a number of options for future structures and for administrative improvements.
The ERDF Operational Programmes are developed under an EU Partnership model, with extensive consultation involving the Regional Assemblies, social partners and voluntary groups on how the ERDF funding allocation will be spent and implemented for the 2021-27 period. Alongside my Department, the Managing Authorities will assist in the drafting the ERDF Operational Programmes. The Managing Authorities will monitor implementation on the ground as well as managing projects' compliance with EU Regulations and submitting claims for reimbursement to the EU Commission.
Ireland’s allocation of ERDF has in the past, and will continue in the future, to support projects in all parts of Ireland.
97. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expenditure on health, social welfare and education as a share of GNI* for 2019 and 2020; the estimate for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/20]
View answerExpenditure on the key front line areas of Health, Social Protection and Education makes up the majority of public expenditure each year. These sectors have also been a crucial part of the response to Covid-19 and as such, have been allocated significant additional resources in order to support the State’s response to the pandemic.
The Economic and Fiscal Outlook, published by the Department of Finance on Budget Day, set out GNI* for 2019 as well as estimates of GNI* for 2020 and 2021. In 2019, GNI* amounted to €213,700 million. GNI* is estimated to be €202,825 million in 2020 and €208,350 million 2021.
Based on these figures and current estimates of expenditure, gross voted Health expenditure amounts to 8.2%, c. 10% and 10.6% of GNI* for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. Gross voted expenditure on Social Protection, inclusive of expenditure on the Social Insurance Fund, amounts to 9.7%, 15.6% and 12.1% for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively. Finally, gross voted expenditure on Education over the three year period amounts to 5.1%, 5.9% and 5.8% respectively. In order to provide a like-for-like comparison over the three years, expenditure on the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for 2020 and 2021 has been included alongside that by the Department of Education to arrive at these figures.
Taken together, expenditure on these three areas amount to 23% of GNI* for 2019, 31.5% in 2020 and 28.5% in 2021.
In addition, as outlined in the Expenditure Report 2021, there are unallocated amounts in respect of a Covid-19 Contingency Reserve of €2.1 billion and a Recovery Fund of €3.4 billion. The allocation of additional resources to these sectors from these unallocated amounts would impact on the ratios for 2021.
101. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department have spent on the use of recruitment agencies for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 to date. [36607/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not incurred any expenditure on private recruitment agencies for the years in question. My Department avails of the services of the Public Appointments Service, which provides a central recruitment service to the Civil Service and a range of other public bodies.
A number of the bodies under the aegis of my Department have incurred some costs in this regard in the years in question. The relevant details, including the purpose of this expenditure, is set out in tabular form and I will arrange for this to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
I have been advised that a response for the Office of Public Works will also be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
|
Organisation |
Cost |
Purpose |
|
Public Appointments Service |
|
|
|
2020 YTD |
€214,132 |
To assist the Public Appointments Service to attract the broadest pool of candidates and where there is a value in engaging and attracting candidates who may not apply directly e.g. senior appointments, specialist expertise or candidates from outside Ireland |
|
2019 |
€389,662 |
To assist the Public Appointments Service to attract the broadest pool of candidates and where there is a value in engaging and attracting candidates who may not apply directly e.g. senior appointments, specialist expertise or candidates from outside Ireland |
|
2018 |
€272,736 |
To assist the Public Appointments Service to attract the broadest pool of candidates and where there is a value in engaging and attracting candidates who may not apply directly e.g. senior appointments, specialist expertise or candidates from outside Ireland |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery
|
|
|
|
2018 |
€108,118 |
Costs for temporary staff at HEO and CO grades pending filling permanent roles |
|
2019 |
€50,875 |
Costs for temporary staff at HEO and CO grades pending filling permanent roles and recruitment costs to permanently fill these roles |
|
State Laboratory |
|
|
|
2019 |
€8,216 |
For recruiting Laboratory Attendants, which is a grade not recruited by the Public Appointments Service |
103. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding for health capital projects will be made available in the context of a capacity deficit following from the Covid-19 pandemic and associated operational difficulties and delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36173/20]
View answerIn Budget 2021 the overall Budget capital allocation is €10,066 million. This represents an increase of €1,901 million (23.3%) over the original 2020 allocations of €8,165 million. Capital expenditure has been increased by a further €1,706 million in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing the overall capital investment to €9,872 million.
Of this major investment, Budget 2021 provides just over €1bn in investment in the health sector. This is an increase of €156m or 18% over the Revised Estimates 2020 allocation. The capital funding for health in 2021 will allow for the continuing delivery of modern health facilities and equipment to improve and expand service provision and capacity across the country. This will support key aspects of Sláintecare and of Project Ireland 2040 as well as providing the capital assets necessary in the context of the COVID-19 response and the resumption of non-COVID services. This funding will allow progress on key developments including:
- Progress on key projects to expand and upgrade bed capacity across the system in line with the Health Service Capacity Review and in response to the Covid 19 emergency. Beds have been delivered across the system at an accelerated pace in 2020 including: community beds, intermediate care beds, acute beds and ICU/HDU beds. Work in increasing bed capacity will continue in 2021 across the system on a range of projects - some scheduled for completion in 2021 and others with works commencing and progressing in 2021, for delivery after 2021.
- 2021 will see the continued development of our Primary Care infrastructure in line with Sláintecare and further investment in long-term residential accommodation for the elderly and for people with a disability.
- The Mental Health Capital Programme will continue to focus on upgrading existing facilities and expansion of services in 2021, following the completion of construction on the National Forensic Mental Hospital in 2020. Other Mental Health projects across the Acute and Community settings will be progressing or commencing in 2021.
- An extensive programme of investment in equipment, including diagnostic equipment such as CT and MRI Scanners, has taken place in 2020. This will continue in 2021 as part of the National Equipment Replacement Programme. Investment will continue in our national ambulance fleet as well as investment in ambulance bases.
- New priorities and learnings from the pandemic, which will enable the implementation of the Service Continuity Programme, will continue to be funded such as projects to reconfigure facilities which will address infection control and staff safety issues.
I also would remind the Deputy that on the 3rd November last I launched the "Review to Renew" - that is, the review of the National Development Plan. The revised NDP will be published by summer 2021. It will set out the overall capital investment envelope for the decade to 2030 and will include five year rolling departmental capital ceilings and priorities. The revised NDP will be the blueprint for the development of our infrastructure for the next ten years.
Pending this review it is not my intention to adjust the capital funding beyond the major commitments already set out for next year in Budget 2021. Ceilings for 2022 to 2026 will be finalised as part of the review of the National Development Plan.
104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of office properties owned or rented by the OPW outside of Dublin; the number of civil servants these offices can accommodate; the current number of civil servants based in these offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36560/20]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works have 328 office buildings outside of Dublin with a total footprint in excess of 400,000 square meters. Of these buildings, 141 are owned by the State and 187 are leased.
The accommodation in these buildings is allocated to Government Departments / Offices based on their business and operational needs. The day-to-day management of the space allocated is a matter for each Department and the Commissioners do not retain precise numbers for each building.
105. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when austerity cuts to public health sector pay will be restored; when pay inequality within healthcare professions will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36172/20]
View answerThe process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016 – 2018 and has been largely been completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 (PSSA).
The PSSA, which was negotiated in 2017, and the provisions of which were statutorily provided for under the terms of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, allowed for a continued, controlled unwinding of the FEMPI legislation. The unwinding process was progressively weighted towards those at the lower levels of pay (who have seen their salaries increase relative to 2008), and is implemented on a phased basis.
To date, salary rates up to €70,000, which accounts for over 90% of the public service, have been fully restored.
In addition, a Ministerial Order is required to complete FEMPI pay restoration for those public servants whose salary will not be fully restored (those on annualised remuneration greater than €70,000) through the PSSA increases. Under section 19 and section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, for those covered by the Agreement, the legislation provides for these remaining amounts to be paid no later than July 2022.
All public service health sector workers are covered by the PSSA agreement.
New entrant health sector workers including consultants, recruited since January 2011, also benefited from the agreement on new entrant salary scales reached in September 2018. The main components of this agreement, effective from March 2019, were that New Entrant public sector workers would bypass points 4 and points 8 of the new entrant salary scale.
106. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the innovations he plans for the upcoming statement of strategy of his Department. [36169/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, there has been very significant reform and innovation in the Public Service since my Department was established in 2011 and published its first Public Service Reform Plan shortly thereafter. These changes continue to deliver improved services and cost effectiveness across a range of themes such as digital government, public procurement, shared services, HR and organisational reforms, public expenditure reforms and government reform.
The current framework for public service reform and innovation is Our Public Service 2020 (OPS 2020) which builds on earlier reforms and accelerates the digital delivery of public services, delivers better services to customers, drives innovation and develops our people and organisations. To complement this Public Service-wide initiative, the programme of reforms set out in the Civil Service Renewal Plan continues to be embedded in the Civil Service.
In the case of my own Department, internal and external consultation processes are currently ongoing in respect of the preparation of its Statement of Strategy for 2021-2023. Once finalised, it will serve as a framework for, and guide to, the business planning, resource allocation and risk management processes within the Department over the next three years. I can confirm that initiatives to enhance innovation and reform will continue to be pursued under this Statement of Strategy, including in the following key areas:
- The current Civil Service Renewal Programme is due to be refreshed in the coming months and innovation will form a central pillar in the next iteration;
- Work is expected to be completed in the coming months on refreshing and renewing “Our Public Service 2020”, which will be informed by the recently launched Public Service Innovation Strategy, “Making Innovation Real”;
- Further reforms will be undertaken in the area of public expenditure management and evidence based policy making;
- The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer will continue to innovate and drive digital transformation across government; and
- The Office of Government Procurement will continue to pursue innovation in the procurement of goods and services.
108. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is conducting a review of State-owned or rented office space in Dublin to determine if there is a current or projected oversupply in view of new working arrangements adopted under Covid-19 measures that may become more permanent. [36689/20]
View answerThere is no doubt that the Covid pandemic has created a dramatic change in work practices in both the public and private sectors. However, the current remote working arrangements have arisen out of an emergency situation and the longer term impact of the pandemic on work practices into the future has not yet manifested itself. What is clear is that remote working arrangements for civil servants is very likely into the future. The Commissioners are actively involved in a cross departmental working group assisting in developing a policy around remote working. The publication, and subsequent implementation of this policy, will influence future demands for property.
Government Departments and Agencies will in due course need to undertake detailed workforce planning exercises that identify roles that may be suited to remote working, and roles that may be location specific. The Commissioners will work closely with Departments to identify accommodation solutions that will facilitate the implementation of Government policy in this regard.
It would be anticipated that if remote working practices become widely used within the civil service that this would, in the medium to longer term, have a downward pressure on property demands. In such circumstances the Commissioners would make all necessary adjustments to the size of the portfolio.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that public spending continues to proceed as anticipated notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36576/20]
View answerManaging the delivery of public services within allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department. There are important measures in place at all times to ensure that our budgetary targets are being met. These measures continue to be in place for all public expenditure, including core expenditure as well as additional expenditure allocated as part of the response to Covid-19. As is usual, my Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and offices to ensure that all expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters. There is regular reporting to Government on expenditure levels.
As set out in the most recent Fiscal Monitor, published by the Department of Finance, total gross voted expenditure at end-October 2020 was €65,547 million. This is €8,604 million, or 15.1% ahead of profile. It should be noted however, that expenditure profiles for the year were published in February and are based on the expenditure allocations set out in the 2020 Revised Estimates Volume. This means that the impact of additional resources allocated in respect of Covid-19 are not reflected in these profiles. As such, spending can be expected to run significantly ahead of profile for the remainder of the year. Gross voted current expenditure of €60,000 million, is €8,662 million, or 16.9% above profile. Gross voted capital expenditure of €5,547 million, is €58 million, or 1% below profile and up €886 million, or 19% on October 2019.
The vast majority of identified overruns in 2020 to date relate to expenditure allocated in response to Covid-19. Current expenditure in the Department of Health is ahead of profile by €1.36 billion at end October 2020. This is due to the drawdown of funds to the HSE, to support maximising capacity within the system and to allow for the purchase of necessary equipment such as PPE. The Department of Social Protection is ahead of profile by almost €6.9 billion at this point in the year. This is due to payments introduced in respect of Covid-19 to support employees and businesses. There is a Covid-19 related impact on the Department of Transport, for which current expenditure is €307 million ahead of profile at end October. This is due to the drop in passenger numbers and associated revenue as a result of public health measures.
Looking at capital expenditure, the impact of Covid-19 can also be seen. Capital expenditure in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is ahead of profile for end-October by €587 million. This relates to the additional funding which was allocated in light of the impact of Covid-19 on businesses. The Department of Education is ahead of profile on capital expenditure by €91 million. The main driver of this is the issuing of additional minor works grants in light of Covid-19.
The Government has allocated significant additional resources to Departments in response to Covid-19. Expenditure Report 2021 set out total gross voted expenditure of €87.1 billion for 2020, with additional expenditure of €16.7 billion primarily driven by Covid-19. These allocations are being made in the usual way, with Estimates agreed by Government and voted on by the Dáil. A number of Revised Estimates and Further Revised Estimates have been approved by the Dáil in recent weeks and months to give effect to these increased allocations for 2020. A number of Supplementary Estimates have also been presented to the Dáil in the last number of weeks and work is currently ongoing to finalise the last number of Supplementary Estimates for 2020.
111. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood relief measures for Carlingford, Greenore, County Louth; and the progress to date. [36705/20]
View answerCarlingford and Greenore was one of 300 communities that had their flood risk assessed by the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of properties at risk from the primary causes of flooding in Ireland, in communities that house almost two thirds of the national population.
The key output of the CFRAM Programme was the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s). Informed by costs, benefits and environmental factors, the FRMPs proposed a flood relief scheme for Carlingford and Greenore. The proposed scheme would involve construction of a series of hard defences (flood embankments and walls) and two pumping stations, protecting 409 properties.
The progression of this proposed scheme to detail design is supported by €1bn planned investment under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. The final design of a feasible scheme, informed through further public consultation, may change from that proposed by the FRMPs and will also include adaptation measures against the risk from climate change.
The FRMPs and the planned €1bn investment support five additional proposed schemes for County Louth, at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee. Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of these flood relief schemes. The Council chairs the Project Steering Group, that has agreed to prioritise the progression of these schemes.
The tender for Engineering Consultancy Services has recently been awarded for Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee that are being progressed simultaneously. The tender brief for Drogheda and Baltray, also being progressed simultaneously, is being finalised and it is expected to be advertised in the coming weeks. Immediately thereafter the tender brief for the Carlingford and Greenore scheme will be developed.
The Office of Public Works has established an Engineering Consultancy Framework Agreements, which Louth County Council are using to procure services to progress the design, development and planning of each project as quickly as possible to construction. In addition, the Council has been provided with additional staffing resources by the OPW to assist in the implementation of these schemes.
112. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW’s plans and timeline for the Kill of the Grange and Dalkey Garda stations. [36728/20]
View answerAs part of An Garda Síochána’s 2012 and 2013 Rationalisation Programme the former Garda station at Dalkey closed on the 30th June 2012 and the former Garda station at Kill O’The Grange, closed on the 29th April 2013. The Office of Public Works (OPW) was subsequently requested not to dispose of closed Garda stations pending the outcome of two reviews by An Garda Síochána.
The first review identified six closed Garda stations for reopening and the second review, published on the 21st December 2018, did not identify any further closed Garda stations for reopening.
Following this, An Garda Síochána advised the OPW that they no longer had an interest in the former Garda station properties at Dalkey and Kill O’The Grange and the OPW recommenced the process of either identifying alternative State use for or disposing of the properties, in line with OPW’s disposal policy on surplus vacant property.
The OPW policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
To date, no alternative State use has been identified for the former Garda station in Dalkey and the OPW is currently preparing the property for disposal by public auction. Subject to the resolution of title issues, the auction is scheduled to take place in 2021.
The OPW has agreed to transfer the former Garda station property in Kill O’The Grange to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council under Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 11/15: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets. Subject to the normal legalities and agreement on terms, the transfer is expected to conclude during the first half of 2021.
113. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reform the pay scale for students working on placements in the public service, particularly those in the healthcare sector. [36587/20]
View answerMatters in relation to the sectoral specific issue raised by the Deputy are for consideration by the relevant Minster in the first instance.
In the regard it is open to a Minister with responsibility for a particular sector to propose changes for my consideration. This is particularly so in relation to cost-increasing issues which fall to be considered within existing budgetary provisions. The Deputy will be aware that I have a statutory role in relation to financial expenditure including most specifically in relation to remuneration.
To date, no business case has been received by my Department in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy.
116. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding committed to date for the INTERREG and PEACE plus programmes post 2020; the level of funding to be provided by the Irish and UK Governments and the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36666/20]
View answer131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the INTERREG and PEACE plus programmes post Brexit with particular reference to cross-Border projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36667/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 131 together.
Cross-border EU funding to Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland is currently being delivered through two 2014-20 programmes, PEACE IV and INTERREG VA. The two programmes have a combined value of €553m and support peace and reconciliation and economic and social cohesion across the eligible region. The programmes are 85% funded by the EU. The programmes are managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), which is jointly sponsored by my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland.
Both programmes are now fully committed to a total of 130 cross-border projects. The €270 PEACE IV programme is supporting 96 projects across the eligible region in the areas of Shared Education, Children and Young People, Shared Spaces and Services, and Building Positive Relations. INTERREG VA has a total value of €283m and supports 34 cross border projects under the themes Research and Innovation, Environment, Sustainable Transport and Health.
The Withdrawal Agreement ratified by the EU and the UK in January 2020 provides for the full completion of PEACE IV and INTERREG VA post-Brexit.
As part of its May 2018 proposals for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and EU Cohesion Policy for the 2021-27 period, the European Commission proposed a special new cross-border programme, PEACE PLUS, to continue and build on the work of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. PEACE PLUS will effectively combine the existing PEACE and INTERREG activity strands into one cohesive new programme which will support peace, prosperity and cooperation across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Provision for the new programme is included in the Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK, as well as in the Political Declaration.
Programme development for PEACE PLUS is now well advanced. This process is being led by the SEUPB, in close cooperation with my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, and supported by a Programme Development Steering Group consisting of representatives of major stakeholders for the new programme.
The quantum of funding for the PEACE PLUS programme will be determined as part of the EU UK future relationship negotiations. The EU has already committed to a special allocation of €120m ERDF for PEACE PLUS, which, in addition to the ERDF funding which will be provided through the Ireland's European Territorial Cooperation allocation, will help build a fund for a bold and ambitious programme.
117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason members of the Defence Forces who retire after 2012 and who take up subsequent State employment have an abatement on their pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28221/20]
View answerThe principle of abatement of a public service pension is longstanding within the rules of various public service pension schemes. The policy rationale is to avoid a situation where individuals benefit from both a valuable public service pension and also a public service salary. In that context, pension abatement represents a suitable and measured response to legitimate public concerns.
Section 52(1) to section 52(5) of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 (the Act) provides for pension abatement across the public service. In particular, section 52(1) provides for a reduction in the pension that has been awarded to a public service pensioner who has returned to employment in the public service so that the person concerned will not receive more in combined pension and salary payments than they would have received had they remained working.
As the Deputy may be aware, there is discretion under Section 52(4) of the Act, to grant a waiver of abatement. These waivers are generally granted only in exceptional circumstances and for a limited period of time. Each waiver application is assessed on its merits. One important consideration is the need to avoid creating an incentive for more experienced staff to retire on pension and return to the workforce.
