Written Answers Nos. 200-219
201. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the percentage or number of staff working with a disability within his Department and the agencies under his aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the actions being undertaken by his Department to actively recruit and retain persons with disabilities. [42143/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy during 2017, 2018 and 2019 the Department satisfied the 3% target of employing staff with disabilities and the Department is aware of the increase in the targets to 6% to be achieved by 2024 and is committed to achieving this revised target.
The following table sets out the percentage of employees with a disability for the years 2017 to 2019. Disability statistics for 2020 are not currently available as a census is completed each year in March for the previous year in line with the National Disability Authority (NDA) Annual Census.
|
Year |
Percentage |
|
2017 |
4.1% |
|
2018 |
4.1% |
|
2019 |
5.14% |
During 2016/17, a major refurbishment project was undertaken by Facilities Management and the OPW in Government Buildings on Merrion Street. As part of that project, for example, electronic doors were installed to assist the movement of staff across the campus. In addition in 2019 an external lift was installed to South Block to allow staff with mobility difficulties to access the building easier.
The Department of Finance adheres to its requirements as set out by the Disability Act of 2005. The Department does not possess information regarding employees who are registered disabled. Staff can volunteer to self-declare a disability.
The Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) appointed who works closely with the NDA to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with its obligations under the Act.
All new entrants complete a confidential disability survey which is forwarded to the DLO for actioning, where appropriate. These declarations are amalgamated with an annual census run by the NDA and forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of our annual returns who collate centrally Department/Office annual returns for forwarding to the NDA for publication on their website.
Bi-monthly Disability Liaison Officer Network meetings are held to share knowledge and assist other DLOs across the Civil Service, as well as engaging with staff in accessing training and learning events, where needed.
The Department’s website, (www.gov.ie/finance), internal intranet and the Build to Share programmes (ePQ, eSubmission, eCorrespondence etc), which are used by staff in the course of their work, all have software to aid the visually impaired. A ‘loop’ system’ is in place in the Department’s Whitaker Conference Room for the hearing impaired.
The Department has also held Power Hours in the areas of Autism in the Workplace, Dyslexia in the Workplace and has marked International Day of people with disabilities and will continue to do so.
There are 17 bodies under the aegis of my Department, four of which have staff with a disability as follows:
|
Body/Agency |
Year |
Percentage |
|
Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) |
2018 |
7% |
|
|
2019 |
8% |
|
|
2020 |
- |
|
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General |
2018 |
3.57% |
|
|
2019 |
5.41% |
|
|
2020 |
6.67% |
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
2018 |
4.65% |
|
|
2019 |
5.32% |
|
|
2020 |
5.66% |
|
National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) |
2018 |
4.28% |
|
|
2019 |
4.07% |
|
|
2020 |
4.19% |
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman has confirmed that they conduct an annual Survey of their staff to determine the number of staff with a disability under the definition in the Disability Act 2005, with the survey for 2020 to be conducted at year end. As such, figures for 2020 are not yet available.
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General has confirmed that they only use the Public Appointments Service and recruitment companies that comply with the five codes of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments to recruit staff, one of which is the Code of Practice for Appointment of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies.
The data for the NTMA is correct as at 31/10/2020 and includes staff assigned to the National Asset Management Agency, Home Building Finance Ireland and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland. The NTMA established a Disability Awareness Team in 2016 to actively create awareness of the different types of disabilities and how to best support employees with different abilities. In addition, through partnerships with a number of organisations including the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID), Down Syndrome Ireland and AHEAD, the Agency has successfully recruited and retained a number of employees with disabilities.
The Central Bank of Ireland has confirmed that, to date, they have not recorded those staff who have declared a disability, although they intend to capture this data as part of an annual engagement survey this year. As staff at the Investor Compensation Company DAC are seconded from the Central Bank, they similarly have no data available. The Central Bank, along with the FSPO and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, have advised that they actively assist people with disabilities to participate in their recruitment and promotion processes by accommodating their specific requirements and by providing appropriate supports, as well as providing ongoing support to staff members who have, or acquire, a disability during their employment. The Central Bank also endeavours to proactively attract persons with disabilities to work in the Bank with targeted programmes such as the Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme, as well as a work placement programme with the National Council for the Blind.
Four bodies have confirmed that none of their staff declared a disability during the period in question. These are the Credit Review Office, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Tax Appeals Commission. The Credit Review Office has advised that its staff are seconded from Enterprise Ireland, and as such any future recruitment would be in line with that body’s policies. The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation currently has no employees and there is no expectation to hire more. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has indicated that it is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to supporting and promoting the employment of people with disabilities. The Tax Appeals Commission will be recruiting staff in 2021 and is committed to supporting and promoting the employment of people with disabilities and will continue to work with the Public Appointments Service towards reaching a target of 3%.
Finally, the Credit Union Advisory Committee, Credit Union Restructuring Board, Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal and the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal have had no employees during the timeframe specified.
202. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42602/20]
View answerMy Department has been proactive in implementing all requirements set out in the previous Return to Work Safely Protocol issued on 9th May and continues to be proactive in effectively implementing all requirements set out in the revised Work Safely Protocol - Covid-19 National Protocol for Employers and Workers issued on 20th November.
Our priority continues to be the safety and wellbeing of all staff and visitors to the Department’s premises. The Department’s Covid Response Management Group (CRMG) is currently reviewing the revised Work Safely Protocol to ensure all additional requirements and obligations are met. With specific reference to Section D3 Physical Distancing, my Department monitors and controls physical distancing measures and has implemented the following:
- My Department revised its Safety Management System in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, with specific actions relating to ensuring a safe physical distance.
- A State Claims Agency Risk Assessment Form (RA16) was completed, which assessed the Department’s ability to protect the safety and wellbeing of staff through physical distancing, and hand and respiratory hygiene measures. All requirements set out in RA16 were met.
- Appropriate Covid-19 signage has been placed in all buildings. Signage requires staff to follow hand and respiratory hygiene practices, physical distancing implementation measures and good corridor etiquette.
- One-way systems have been implemented in various stairwells, corridors and sections of the premises and appropriate signage installed.
- The maximum occupancy of all offices and meeting rooms across all premises has been revised.
- An internal ‘Welcome Back Information Booklet’ and ‘Covid Response Update’ document were developed which provide information to staff on physical distancing, infection prevention control measures, one-way systems, revised maximum occupancy of all offices, elevators and public places.
- Front desk reception areas are protected with glass security screens.
- Procedures have been implemented to manage the number of visitors and contractors onsite.
203. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the e-tenders system to make it more user friendly for small and medium enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41076/20]
View answerThe Government recognises the importance of the SME sector and continues to enhance the already substantial measures to support SMEs in accessing the public procurement market. Significant work has been undertaken by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to ensure that public procurement is accessible by all businesses, including SMEs. My colleague, Minister of State Ossian Smyth, chairs quarterly meetings of the SME Advisory Group so that the voice of industry is heard at first hand by Government. The SME Advisory Group consists of officials from the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, as well as representatives from the IBEC, the Small Firms Association, the Construction Industry Federation, Chambers Ireland and the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association.
The OGP administers the Irish Government’s national electronic tendering platform (eTenders). It is the national facility for all public sector contracting authorities to publish procurement tenders and contract award notices for goods, services and works. eTenders is also used by potential suppliers including SMEs to view and access tender opportunities. eTenders is currently provided, managed and maintained on behalf of the OGP by a third party service provider.
In line with public procurement obligations, the OGP is currently advanced in preparing to advertise a tender for a new contract for an electronic tendering platform. As part of these preparations, the OGP has carried out extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement, covering both public bodies and potential suppliers, including SMEs, as key stakeholders in the electronic tendering system and process. In that context, in September 2020, a survey of potential suppliers on the electronic tendering process was carried out with the support of Minister of State Smyth and the SME Advisory Group. SMEs and micro businesses represented 78% of respondents to the survey. The responses from this survey are being used to inform the requirements for the new contract.
204. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reform the procurement rules for public work contracts to allow the criteria for award to be the most economically advantageous; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41089/20]
View answerPublic Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers transparency and value for money outcomes.
Regulation 67 of the SI 286 of 2016 - European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations sets out that the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) should be assessed on the basis of the best price-quality ratio, which should always include a price or cost element. It is important to note that the Regulations do not preclude the use of cost as the sole criterion in a MEAT award. It is for contracting authorities to determine the award criteria to identify the MEAT to meet their particular requirements in relation to the contract. The procurement directive applies to all public works contracts with a value in excess of €5.35m and construction-related services with a value in excess of €139k for Government Departments and Bodies and €214k for Local Authorities.
The general requirements for works and works-related contracts are set out in the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). The CWMF represents the tools that a public body must use to procure and manage the external resources necessary to deliver a public works project that is to be delivered under the Exchequer-funded element of the National Development Plan. This guidance incorporates key elements of EU legislation that have been transposed into Irish law and is complemented by circulars and guidance issued by this Department and the Office of Government Procurement.
The award criterion for works contracts (above €1m) and for the engagement of consultants under the CWMF is the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) meeting the specified minimum criteria (if any). The MEAT is determined in accordance with the award criteria set out in the Particulars to the standard CWMF Instructions to Tenderer. The award criterion associated with the form of contract most commonly used for works below €1m is the lowest price.
Generally speaking where public works are concerned, the better defined the project requirements the greater the weighting that should be given to price. Under the CWMF, works projects that are delivered using the traditional approach are required to be well defined prior to tender. In these circumstances, it is entirely appropriate for price to be given a majority weighting. In a design and build contract, where the contractor is required to prepare the design as part of their tender submission the majority weighting should be given to quality (or technical merit). A majority weighting for quality should properly interrogate the innovation, technical achievements and durability of the solutions offered. There is a balance to be struck in deciding to award a public contract between value for money and a quality project outcome.
The management of the tendering process for a public contract is a matter for each contracting authority. It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to ensure that tenderers comply with all the requirements of the process.
A review of the policies and practices deployed in the procurement of public works projects commenced in March 2019 and is ongoing. The review is being conducted by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) with the support of the Government Construction Contracts Committee (GCCC). The focus of the review is on improving the delivery of construction projects in terms of quality, timely delivery and cost outcomes. The initial focus of the review is on the procurement of consultancy services. Overall improvement in project definition is required – to be delivered through establishing minimum standards for information at the different stages of a project’s development.
The OGP has developed a high-level strategy with the GCCC to guide the implementation which will be addressed primarily through the progressive refinement and enhancement of the CWMF. The following objectives summarise the strategy:
The CWMF will enable the delivery of sustainable assets under the NDP by:
- Developing procurement and contracting strategies that prioritise quality solutions and support the most efficient means of delivery;
- Embedding appropriate risk management measures within the project development, procurement and construction stages;
- Deploying digital solutions throughout the project delivery stages.
The review will deliver significant changes to the CWMF over the coming years. The OGP has prepared a methodology for extensive structured engagement, both with industry stakeholders, and with the public bodies charged with the delivery of public works projects to inform the implementation of the strategy. It is planned to publish a series of position papers on a broad range of issues to foster debate and engagement on specific issues such as:
- price variation;
- risk management;
- reflecting quality in the award of contracts;
- adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on public works projects;
- liability, indemnity and insurance requirements;
- performance evaluation;
- encouraging collaborative working.
Upon conclusion of the consultation period for each issue, the GCCC will prepare a recommendation for approval at the appropriate level. It is envisaged that the process of engagement will extend over the next 12 – 18 months, however where the GCCC’s recommendations are accepted they may be implemented without waiting for the entire process to conclude providing it is practicable to do so.
The onset of Covid-19 impacted on the conduct of the review both in terms of engagement with stakeholders and reassignment of internal resources in order to address the impact of the shutdown and the restart phase on the NDP.
205. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason Vote 12 was transferred from his Department Vote group to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2011. [41123/20]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) was established in 2011 to reduce public spending to more sustainable levels and to reform and improve our public services under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011.
As part of the establishment of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, certain functions primarily focussed on expenditure including Vote 12 Superannuation and Retired Allowances were transferred from Minister for Finance and these functions are outlined in Section 9 of the above Act entitled “Transfer of certain other functions to Minister”.
206. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the list of flood relief projects that are expected to commence in 2021; and the estimated completion timeframe for each flood relief project. [41412/20]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with relevant Local Authorities anticipates that seven major flood relief schemes will reach construction stage in 2021. The timeframe is dependent on successful planning approvals and subject to no legal challenges to such approvals. The following table sets out a list of these projects and the anticipated substantial completion dates at this early point.
Major Flood Relief Schemes – construction expected to commence in 2021
|
Project |
Estimated construction completion* |
|
Blackpool, Cork City |
Late 2023/early 2024 |
|
Crossmolina, Co Mayo |
Mid 2024 |
|
Glashaboy, Cork |
Late 2023 |
|
Enniscorthy, Co Wexford |
Late 2025 |
|
King’s Island, Limerick City |
Late 2023 |
|
River Poddle, Dublin |
Late 2023 |
|
Whitechurch Stream, Dublin |
Late 2022 |
*Estimated construction completion means that the scheme is substantially completed and operational, but there will be a period up to 12 months for outstanding defects to be remedied, and finishing works to be completed.
OPW has also committed to providing funding to local authorities to implement 31 smaller flood relief schemes, identified in the National Flood Risk Management Plans, with a value of up to €1m. The timeframe for the progression of these projects is a matter for the relevant local authority.
OPW will also continue to provide funding to local authorities in 2021 to undertake small localised flood relief works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
207. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41465/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Public Service Agreements (PSAs) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the Civil Service and in other parts of the public service. My Department remains responsible for redeployment in the Civil Service and non-commercial State bodies, and these redeployments panels are operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). My Department is in contact with both the Department of Transport and PAS in regard to the redeployment of the staff members.
It is important to note that to date a total of 33 staff members have been redeployed from Shannon Development.
LRC recommendation 21632 continues to be implemented. There are currently 10 staff members on the panel, with only 4 of these staff pre-dating the LRC recommendation. An offer is currently in place to one of these staff members. It is also worth noting that two staff members have declined opportunities recently.
These staff will continue to be redeployed within the Civil Service under the terms of the PSAs. However, it remains the position that these staff can only be redeployed if and when suitable vacancies become available, primarily within this region. It should also be noted that vacancies in regional locations, particularly for specialist roles and/or higher grades, tend to be fewer.
The redeployment policy and scheme continues to be reviewed by my Department, in collaboration with PAS.
208. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his position regarding the agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission in 2018 on a process of pay restoration for section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41510/20]
View answerThe issue raised by the Deputy is not a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and falls within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health.
209. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which it is intended to finally end the pay inequality which affects new entrants to the teaching profession and honour the statement of intent issued to teacher unions on this matter in Easter 2019 by his predecessor. [41552/20]
View answerThe reduced new entrant pay scales for civil and public servants introduced in 2011 were abolished in 2013 under the Haddington Road Agreement, where it was agreed to merge the new scales and existing scales - typically by adding the lower two points of the new scale to the existing scale. As such there are no separate reduced pay scales for civil and public servants.
Under the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018 – 2020, it was agreed to examine the remaining salary scale issues, associated with the addition of the extra points, for those recruited to entry grades after January 2011. The report, laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in March 2018, estimates the point in time cost of advancing new entrants to the public service two points along their incremental scales. The report estimated a cost of €199.8m in respect of 60,513 new entrants, an average cost of €3,300 per FTE.
Following this report, lengthy and intensive negotiations with the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions took place over 2018 resulting in an agreement on new entrant salary scales being reached in September 2018.
The main components of the agreement are:
- where two additional scale points were applied to pay scales under the Haddington Road Agreement, it was agreed that there will be two separate interventions in the pay scales as they apply to new entrant public servants recruited since January 2011.
- the two separate interventions will take place at point 4 and point 8 of the pay scales. The practical effect of this is that for new entrants the relevant points on the scale will be bypassed, thereby reducing the time spent on the scale for progression to the maximum point.
- in situations where only one point was added to the existing pay scale under Haddington Road, then the first point (i.e Point 4) is bypassed by eligible new entrants.
- this measure was applied from 1 March 2019 and will be applied to each new entrant as they reach the relevant scale points (point 4 and point 8) on their current increment date.
This is an agreement of considerable scale and complexity, each element of which was the product of negotiation with ICTU.
New entrant teachers, recruited after January 2011, are covered by the agreement.
As the Deputy is aware my Department are now engaged in formal negotiations, under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission, on the potential of a successor agreement to the PSSA. A range of issues are being discussed as part of this and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specifics at this time.
210. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some public sector workers who retired in 2008 have not received any increase in their State pension since then; and the reason pension payments are not index linked to public sector pay increases. [41580/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the previous Government approved the current pension increase policy for the pre-existing public service pension schemes (i.e. all pension schemes apart from the Single Public Service Pension Scheme) as part of its commitments under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA).
Under this policy, which applies for the duration of the PSSA, pay increases granted to serving staff over the course of the PSSA are passed on to those pensions awarded under the pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based does not exceed the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff.
The Deputy has specifically referred to individuals who retired in 2008. In that context, it is necessary to distinguish between those who retired before 1 March 2012 and those who retired after that date.
Generally, individuals who retired pre-March 2012 will have retired either before imposition of the first FEMPI pay reduction in 2010 or they were protected by the first 'grace period' so their pension does not reflect this reduction. As a result, some pensioners in this cohort are not eligible for pension increases arising from PSSA increases to serving staff as the salary on which their pension is based is still higher than the salary of serving staff on the same grade/scale point.
Individuals who retired from 1 March 2012 onwards retired either before the second round of FEMPI reductions were imposed in July 2013, were not affected by this second round of reductions as it only applied to salaries above €65,000, or the salary on which their pension is based does not reflect these reductions as a result of the second 'grace period'. Given that the salary on which their pension is based encompasses the first FEMPI reduction in 2010, this cohort of retirees are generally eligible for pension increases arising from PSSA pay increases as their pensionable salary will be lower than the salary of serving staff, following each of those pay increases.
Finally, I note that the question asks about pension increases in the ‘public sector’, which is generally understood as including the commercial semi State bodies. Under the various pension scheme rules operational to such bodies, in the first instance, it is a matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual commercial semi State Bodies falls to consider and approve any pension increase sought, with the consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform. Obviously, as part of such decisions, account must also be taken of the overall funding position in the relevant pension funds prior to taking any decisions on pension increases. The impact of pension increases on the sustainability of pension funds is an important overall consideration.
211. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a review of the status of a person (details supplied) in 1989 has been considered; if his attention has been drawn to the full status of their employment with the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41682/20]
View answerMy Department has no role in this matter and it should be referred to my colleague the Minister for Justice in the first instance.
I understand that this matter has been the subject of extensive correspondence with the party in question and that the position has been outlined in correspondence including a number of Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Justice dating from 2014 to 2017.
212. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a copy of the five-case review that examined five OPW property acquisitions to identify accountability vulnerabilities will be provided. [41720/20]
View answerI understand that the Office of Public Works provided a copy of the Review to the Public Accounts Committee and to the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The contents of the Review were discussed by members of the Public Accounts Committee with the Chairman of the OPW at his appearance before the Committee in October 2018.
213. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the work safely protocol issued 20 November 2020, are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41775/20]
View answerFollowing the publication of the original Return to Work Safely Protocol in May, my Department developed an internal plan on how the relevant aspects of the protocol would be implemented by the Department across all of its locations. The Department is currently revising this implementation plan to take account of the updated Work Safely Protocol, which was published on 20 November.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the areas specified in his question have been, and will continue to be, addressed by the Department in its implementation plan and actions flowing from that. The Department's priority continues to be the safety and wellbeing of all staff and visitors to the Department. The Deputy may wish to be aware that a large proportion of the staff of the Department continue to work remotely and, for those staff that are required to attend the office, relevant steps have been taken in line with the protocol.
214. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage or number of staff working with a disability within his Department and the agencies under his aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the actions being undertaken by his Department to actively recruit and retain persons with disabilities. [42149/20]
View answerThe details requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department, the Office of Government Procurement which is also part of my Department, and the bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the following table. The Deputy should note that the percentages noted only reflect employees that have declared a disability, given that the declaration of a disability is voluntary.
|
- |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
The 2020 Disability Staff Census will be carried out in mid-December. |
3.8% |
4.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office of Government Procurement |
6.6% |
4.8% |
4.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bodies under the aegis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Office of Public Works |
The 2020 Disability Staff Census will be carried out on 31st December. |
3.8% |
3.5% |
|
National Shared Services Office |
4% |
3% |
3% |
|
Public Appointments Service |
The 2020 Disability Staff Census figures are not yet available. |
8.3% |
8.2% |
|
State Laboratory |
6.6% |
4% |
4.2% |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
The 2020 Disability Staff Census will be carried out on 31st December. |
4.3% |
7.6% |
|
Regulator of the National Lottery |
0% |
0% |
0% |
More broadly, the Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all individuals, in all of its recruitment and employment practices. This commitment is demonstrated and documented with key Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) actions in the:
- People Strategy for the Civil Service 2017-2020 ;
- Our Public Service 2020 ;
- The Programme for Government (particularly on disability and migrant integration);
- Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (2015-2024); and
- Migrant Integration Strategy.
In line with the above commitments, my Department has established an ED&I Working Group to review the Civil Service ED&I policy and how appropriate data insights might better track progress against ED&I targets. All Government Departments and Offices have a core role to ensure that ED&I is deeply embedded in their organisations.
The Public Appointment Service (PAS), which is a body under the aegis of my Department, is the lead recruiter for appointments at all levels to the Civil Service. PAS, working in tandem with my Department, is committed to examining alternative recruitment routes to ensure that we have a civil service workforce that is broadly representative of the modern Ireland that we serve.
PAS has established a dedicated ED&I function and a core focus is on attraction and to anticipate/accommodate the needs of candidates from the application process right through to assignment with feedback elicited through a number of focus groups. The end-to-end process for persons with a disability has, for example, been recently reviewed from candidates’ experience with the assistance of external consultants.
Further positive examples of how my Department, working alongside key stakeholders including PAS, has recently been involved in promoting employment pathways for persons with a disability include the Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) Programme, which is our first permanent pathway to employment through an internship scheme, and the AHEAD Willing Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme.
The OWL Programme is an applied learning, development and socialisation programme for adults with an intellectual disability which was launched as a pilot programme in September 2018. It is facilitated by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service in collaboration with two sponsor organisations, KARE and WALK. The goal of the Programme is to provide trainees with the skills, knowledge and ability to gain meaningful employment via the unique opportunity to gain practical work experience, as well as accredited learning over an 11 month period. Since we created our first permanent pathway to employment through an internship scheme, over a quarter of the initial OWL interns have since gone on to secure permanent civil service employment.
The WAM Programme offers graduates with a disability a six-month work placement in either the private sector or Civil Service. Since 2015, WAM has placed over 490 graduates, of which 47% (229) have been placements in the Civil Service across 32 Government Departments or Agencies. PAS conducts the recruitment element of the process on behalf of AHEAD in the case of placements in the Civil Service. PAS and my Department, in conjunction with AHEAD, are currently exploring the feasibility of a confined competition to create a permanent path for employment in the civil service for WAM graduates, upon successful completion of their work placement.
In terms of retention of staff with disabilities, my Department’s HR Strategy Unit, along with its Disability Liaison Officer (DLO), support new members of staff with a disability or existing staff who acquire a disability. In terms of raising awareness about disability within my Department, a number of initiatives are in place:
- The Diversity and Inclusion sub-group within the PERspectives group, a cross-grade, cross-divisional staff forum to support the Department’s People@PER Strategy, contributes to the cultivation of a diverse and inclusive culture across the Department;
- To mark the 2019 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), all staff in the Department were invited to complete the online Disability Equality Training offered by the National Disability Authority (NDA). A presentation to raise awareness about autism was delivered by AsIAm (Ireland’s largest autism charity) to mark the 2020 observance;
- New hires in my Department receive a PDF of the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service (2007), as well as a welcome letter from the Department’s Disability Liaison Office (DLO) along with FAQs on Disability prepared by the National Disability Authority (NDA); and
- The induction of new hires in the Department includes a presentation and Q&A session with the Disability Liaison Officer.
215. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if gastropubs and restaurants have been provided with advice or recommendations regarding the reopening of the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41326/20]
View answerA suite of sector specific guidelines have been published on the Fáilte Ireland website to assist tourism and hospitality businesses reopen and operate in line with Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19 and the new Work Safely Protocol. Designed as “living documents”, these guidelines are updated periodically, as required, in line with the latest Government health advice and related restrictions/provisions.
The guidelines of relevance to restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants are, respectively, the “Guidelines for Re-opening Pubs” and “Guidelines for Re-opening Restaurants & Cafés”, which are available on the Fáilte Ireland website. These comprehensive operational guidelines cover a range of important matters, including putting together a business response and action plan; employee and customer health; ventilation; employee responsibilities; physical distancing; cleaning products and protocols; back of house; and the kitchen area; as well as guidance on dealing with suppliers of goods and services.
216. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will allow live music to be performed in gastropubs and restaurants during level 3 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41385/20]
View answerIn line with the recent decision of the Government in regard to restrictions applying at present under Level 3, no live or loud music is permitted in restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants.
This restriction is one of an overall “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Rather, they are “baskets” of measures, which are informed by public health understanding of the disease and recognise we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
217. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if guidelines will be provided on when soccer training for children and adults can resume. [41467/20]
View answerUnder the Government's Framework for Restrictive Measures, soccer training on an individual, outdoors only, non-contact basis had been permitted to take place under Level 5 for school age children in pods of up to 15. Under the current Level 3, this position applies for both children and adults. On behalf of the Return to Sport Expert Group, Sport Ireland has issued guidance material for the sports and physical activity sector, which is available on its website.
218. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for allowing cinemas to reopen while theatres must remain closed under level 3 restrictions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41469/20]
View answer223. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason theatre venues are not permitted to open for limited live performances and under certain restrictions post 1 December 2020; the reason a decision was taken to allow cinemas to open and not theatres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41085/20]
View answer224. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will respond to queries raised by the director of an arts centre (details attached) in relation to the most recent phase 3 announcements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41087/20]
View answer231. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason there is discrimination between the private and commercial arts training sector compared to the publicly-funded sector with regard to the restrictions being imposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41242/20]
View answer254. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the Department person, company or body to be responsible for working with purpose-built venues and theatres on their plans to reopen in levels 1 and 2 safely, as per the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19; when this person, company body or Department responsible will be hired and-or announced; the date by which they are to begin to work with purpose-built live venues and theatres to prepare to work towards reopening in 2021 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41742/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 223, 224, 231 and 254 together.
The Government’s medium-term Strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, sets out Ireland's approach to managing and living with COVID-19, in a range of areas, over a period of 6 – 9 months.
The Plan aims to allow society and businesses to operate as normally as possible, while protecting our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.
The Plan consists of 5 levels each with a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe, but are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease.
The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios is based on experience and reviews of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed insofar as possible.
Under Level 3 of the Framework, live performance in front of an audience is not permitted and theatres remain closed to the public. Therefore, it was not possible at this time to allow for live entertainment including live theatre performances to return other than in very limited circumstances outdoors.
Under the Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 9) Regulations 2020), the filming, or other recording of performances in a theatre, concert hall, museum or art gallery, without an audience present, is permitted for the purposes of broadcasting such performances on the internet, radio or television.
The Arts Council is working with theatres and arts centres and other representative bodies to ensure that there is comprehensive guidance available to ensure compliance with the public health guidelines. It intends to continue this work over the coming months. Earlier this year, Theatre Forum produced guidelines for the safe reopening of theatres and under which, theatre operated safely and successfully during the summer months.
Live performance, with audiences and artists gathering indoors, is a complex issue and we must ensure everything is done in a safe setting. Galleries, museums and cinemas have been able to reopen after special consideration was given to those venues. The disappointment of theatre practitioners who demonstrated diligence and responsibility in their approach to the challenges posed by COVID-19 is wholly understandable. We all want to see the return of live performance as soon as possible and the Department will continue to work with the Arts Council, Theatre Forum and other stakeholders towards that objective.
I am very conscious of the importance of theatre in Ireland. It is an important source of employment for artists and arts workers, and it is an art form which engages and connects society, in addition to providing a source of well-being support.
219. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the specific guidelines that apply to seasonal events; and the rationale for these guidelines under the current level 3 guidelines of the living with Covid plan. [41477/20]
View answerA new section of guidance for seasonal experiences has been added to the tourism sectoral guidelines for Visitor Attractions, Hotels, and Activity Providers, which are published on the Fáilte Ireland website.
Designed to apply primarily to a “fluid, trail-like” seasonal experience or “adventure” in the setting of a visitor attraction or activity – such as a seasonal Santa Experience – this new section of guidance contains advice on a range of important aspects including pre-arrival; cleaning and disinfection protocol; physical distancing; contact tracing; visitor considerations; and further specific guidance on outdoor seasonal fairs.
The specific guidance on seasonal experiences was considered a useful addition to the existing guidelines in the run-up to Christmas and reflects the latest Government health advice and related restrictions/provisions in place at present under Level 3.
