Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021

Written Answers Nos. 239-260

Ministerial Advisers

Questions (239)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

239. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names and contact details for each special adviser requested for appointment by him in tabular form. [9602/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I have appointed two Special Advisers to my Department: Grant Sweetnam and Kevin Barrett.

Queries for Special Advisers may be addressed to [e-mail] or [phone].

A List of Special Advisers to the 33rd Dáil is published on the gov.ie website.

Departmental Staff

Questions (240)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

240. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff employed in his Department by gender and by Civil Service salary scale in tabular form. [9667/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The information requested for my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, is set out in the tables below.

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Salary Scale	Male	Female
Clerical Officer	11	29
Executive Officer	26	28
Higher Executive Officer	50	54
Administrative Officer (including Occupational Health Nurses)	40	36
Assistant Principal	66	66
Principal Officer (including Occupational Physicians and Special Advisers)	26	20
Director	0	2
Assistant Secretary	4	0
Deputy Secretary	2	0

Office of Government Procurement

Salary Scale	Male	Female
Clerical Officer	12	17
Executive Officer (including equivalent specialist procurement grade, Category Specialist)	37	19
Higher Executive Officer (including equivalent specialist procurement grade, Category Specialist Higher)	39	33
Administrative Officer	1	3
Assistant Principal (including equivalent specialist procurement grade, Category Manager)	31	26
Principal Officer (including equivalent specialist procurement grade, Category Manager)	9	5
Director	1	0
Deputy Secretary	1	0

Departmental Reviews

Questions (241)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

241. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed in tabular form. [9689/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The tables below outline the studies, reviews and research being conducted at present by my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, which will be published when complete.

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Purpose of review / research / study	Undertaken by Department or external provider	Expected completion date
Programme for Government commitment to reform and consolidate the ethics in public office legislation	Internal	December 2021
Review of certain aspects of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015	Internal	August 2021
Research on measuring the benefits and impact of Ireland’s Open Data Initiative	Internal	December 2022
Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey	Internal	March 2021
Review of Civil Service Organisational Design and Structures	External consultant	September 2021
Spending Review – A key platform for evidence informed policy making across the Civil Service	Internal	July and October 2021
Upgrading of Budgeting / Financial Management Systems and Processes in Support of Performance-Related Budgeting (incorporating Equality / Gender Budgeting, Green / Climate Budgeting, SDG Budgeting, Wellbeing Budgeting and Programme Evaluation)	Internal with OECD providing specific aspects	June 2022
Report of the Working Group on Financial Reporting Standards (FRS 102) ‘Employee Benefits in the Public Service’	Internal	December 2021
Macro-economic Context for the National Development Plan	Internal	End March 2021
A Review of the Alignment between the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework	Internal with input from other Government Departments	End March 2021
Capacity and Demand Analysis for Capital Investment	Internal	End March 2021
Capital Project and Programme Capability Review	External	End March 2021
A Review of Public-Private Partnership Policy for the National Development Plan	Internal with input from key Stakeholders in the public sector	March 2021
Final Phase 1 Report of the National Development Plan	Internal	End March 2021
Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the River Bride (Blackpool, Co Cork) required under the Arterial Drainage Acts (as amended)	External consultants were contracted to provide the necessary environmental expertise	Estimated end March 2021
Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the River Slaney (Enniscorthy, Co Wexford) required under the Arterial Drainage Acts (as amended)	External consultants were contracted to provide the necessary environmental expertise	To be confirmed
Review of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report of the River Deel (Crossmolina, Co Mayo) required under the Arterial Drainage Acts (as amended)	External consultants have been contracted to provide the necessary environmental expertise	To be confirmed

Office of Government Procurement

Purpose of review / research / study	Undertaken by Department or external provider	Expected completion date
Review of inflation provisions in contracts published under the Capital Works Management Framework	Internal with external provider reviewing specific aspects	September 2021
Review of Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements under the Capital Works Management Framework	Internal with the assistance of the State Claims Agency	March 2021
Consultant Engagement Review under the Capital Works Management Framework	Internal	March 2021
Review of the operation of the roles of the Standing Conciliator and Project Board (introduced by the OGP in 2016), relative to dispute resolution procedures in the public works contracts	Initial research being undertaken by external provider	December 2021
Client Satisfaction Survey	External	March 2021

Garda Stations

Questions (242)

Charles Flanagan

Question:

242. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the refurbishment works and construction works at Portlaoise Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9761/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The refurbishment of, and construction works at Portlaoise Garda station are included in the Garda Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021. The project involves an upgrade and refurbishment of the present Garda station and custody suite along with the provision of additional accommodation for An Garda Síochána on the adjacent State property.

Part IX Planning Permission was sought in December, 2020 and is currently awaiting a decision within OPW. A full design team has been appointed to this project, which will be treated as a priority owing to the critical importance and strategic nature of the new and enhanced Garda Divisional Headquarters in Portlaoise.

Garda Stations

Questions (243)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

243. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of refurbishment works to Longford Garda station; and when these works will be completed. [9772/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I can confirm that a contract for the refurbishment of Longford Garda Station was awarded on 11th March 2020 to the value of €1,848,674.95 excluding vat. The works at the station include the construction of a new two storey extension to the rear of the station to accommodate 4 Cells, a Prisoner Processing Unit and additional office accommodation as well as internal alterations and refurbishment to the existing Garda Station. The project is co-funded by the Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochána.

The works commenced in March 2020 with an estimated completion date of June 2021. As construction was paused during the initial Covid restrictions and again during the current restrictions the completion date will be delayed . A new programme will be agreed with the contractor following the resumption of construction which will identify the new completion date.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (244)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

244. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount his Department has expended to date regarding awareness raising campaigns of Covid-19 in national newspapers, regional newspapers, national radio, regional and local radio stations and across social media platforms; and the amount committed to expend under any current contracts or agreements with same in tabular form. [9851/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has had no expenditure of this nature.

I understand that the Deputy will receive separate replies from a number of Ministers about the position in respect of their Departments.

Inland Waterways

Questions (245)

Holly Cairns

Question:

245. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by the Office of Public Works, OPW, on clearing vegetation from rivers and waterways in each county between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020, in tabular form; the rationale for this activity; the environmental assessments carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9974/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) undertakes vegetation management on rivers as part of its statutory duty for the maintenance of completed arterial drainage schemes and completed flood relief schemes under the 1945 and 1995 Arterial Drainage Acts. Some 2,100km of channel and some 135km of embankments are maintained annually.

In total, the OPW has responsibility for the maintenance of over 11,500km of channel and some 800km of embankments. In relation to the arterial drainage schemes, the OPW carries out these works in order to ensure that the level of drainage afforded to the benefiting agricultural lands is maintained. Arterial drainage maintenance provides benefit to in excess of 242,800 hectares (600,000 acres) of agricultural land and provides a level of flood protection to in excess of twenty thousand dwellings and properties located within the benefiting lands and over seven thousand properties which are located behind scheme embankments. In addition, a significant level of flood protection is afforded to dwellings, properties and infrastructure in the towns and villages through which these arterial drainage scheme channels flow.

These maintenance works are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, through a range of environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Ecological Assessments. These maintenance operations are carried out in line with the OPW’s Environmental Guidance, Drainage Maintenance and Construction Procedures. This guidance was developed in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland. Benefiting opportunities are often taken, both directly and in conjunction with other agencies, to include environmental enhancement measures as part of their maintenance operations. At a number of locations on schemes, the OPW in co-operation with landowners and other stakeholders are managing/controlling invasive species. The Environmental Guidance, together with the current Strategic Environmental Assessment 2018-2021 which is aligned with the six year reporting cycles of the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive and, the current 5 Yearly Appropriate Assessments are available on the OPW Website.

The OPW also provides funding under the Minor Works Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme to Local Authorities with a clear requirement that the Local Authorities are responsible for undertaking the works in compliance with environmental legislation.

The OPW does not record expenditure on vegetation management activities separately from channel maintenance, embankment maintenance and refurbishment, repairs and refurbishment to sluices, bridges, pumping stations and barrages on its drainage maintenance activities. The OPW does not have information broken down by county as the schemes are in the main catchment drainage schemes which traverse county boundaries.

Construction Contracts

Questions (246, 247)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

246. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of complaints that have been made to his Department with regard to the fact that State agencies such as county and city councils have not ensured that projects managed by them are only using construction companies that are legally compliant with the construction sector sectoral employment orders, SEO. [10005/21]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

247. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the oversight being carried out by his Department to ensure that State agencies such as county and city councils are only using construction companies that are legally compliant with the construction sector sectoral employment orders, SEO. [10006/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.

As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have responsibility for the development of policy to ensure adequate expenditure oversight on capital projects and for public procurement. National rules governing public procurement must comply with the relevant EU, WTO and national legal requirements and obligations. Public procurement rules include provisions addressing EU and national legislation on the protection of labour rights.

As a consequence, public procurement procedures require applicants to meet certain standards when applying for public contracts and applicants are required to make declarations in relation to their financial standing, their legal standing and in relation to payment of taxes and social welfare contributions. They are also obliged to declare whether they have breached aspects of employment law.

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.

The Capital Works Management Framework, (CWMF), managed by my Department, through the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), provides the necessary tools for Contracting Authorities to manage the procurement process and to ensure adequate supervision and oversight on construction projects. This Framework is mandated for use on all capital funded construction projects. The provisions include the conditions of the Public Works Contract which outline the functions of the contract administrator; the Employer's Representative during the construction stage of a project as well as dedicated guidance, (Guidance Note 3.1-Implementation Process), on the management and oversight of the project once works commence.

A Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) fixes the statutory minimum rates of pay and other conditions for example, sick pay and pension entitlements for persons employed in a given economic sector. An employer in that sector has a legal duty to comply, at minimum, with those terms.

Clause 5.3 of the public works contracts contains provisions about Pay and Conditions of Employment which applies to all those engaged on the works, regardless of whether they are employed by the contractor or their subcontractors.

This clause requires the contractor to be compliant with certain aspects of employment and health and safety law. It also requires a contractor to ensure that all deductions from payments to workers as required by Law, are paid accordingly.

The main contractor is obliged to display a copy of the Pay and Conditions of Employment clause from the public works contract in a prominent place on the site for the benefit of all those employed on the project.

The main contractor is required to provide a certificate of compliance (titled ‘Rates of Pay and Conditions of Employment Certificate’) with each interim statement submitted (normally on a monthly basis). Failure to provide this compliance certificate will result in payment not being made by the contracting authority. If a main contractor provides a certificate of compliance that is subsequently found to be untrue or partly untrue the contracting authority has the right to deduct the money relating to the work or part of the work covered by the certificate from any sums due to the main contractor. This money can be withheld until the pay and conditions of employment issue is made right. The ultimate sanction if a main contractor continues to be non-compliant is for the contract to be terminated.

The public works contracts also oblige a contractor to maintain records of pay, timesheets and any deductions made on behalf of all those employed on the site. These records are subject to inspections by representatives of the contracting authority as required.

In summary a contracting authority has the right to: to withhold payment if certification of compliance with the provisions of clause 5.3 is not provided; audit specified documents; deduct from payment if certification is proven to be incorrect; and terminate the agreement where the contractor fails to remedy the situation.

The foregoing are contractual remedies available to the contracting authority where there is evidence of non-compliance. There is also a statutory framework in place to enforce employment law. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an office under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is a statutory office and is independent in the exercise of its functions. The role of the WRC is to achieve compliance with employment legislation, including SEOs. Employees whose rights under an SEO have not been complied with can refer the matter to the WRC for investigation.

My Department would not typically receive complaints of non-compliance with employment law for particular projects. Such complaints would go to the relevant contracting authority or directly to the WRC.

Flood Prevention Measures

Questions (248)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

248. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if works are planned in 2021 on a river (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10031/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. The river referred to by the Deputy does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme. Therefore, the OPW has no maintenance responsibility at that location, nor the authority to carry out any works there.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works, using either their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This Scheme’s eligibility criteria are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.

Office of Public Works

Questions (249)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

249. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the properties under the control of the Office of Public Works, OPW, in Dublin 9 and Dublin 11. [10269/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW), on behalf of the State, manage a large and diverse property portfolio of over 2,500 properties. These range from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitor centres, Garda Stations, among others.

In Dublin 9 there are 13 properties in control of the Office of Public Works (OPW) of which 8 are owned and 5 are leased while in Dublin 11 there are 10 properties, 6 owned and 4 leased.

The following table details the property, location, use and status of the properties in both Dublin 9 and 11 -

PROPERTY NAME	ADDRESS 1	ADDRESS 2	ADDRESS 3	ADDRESS 4	USAGE	STATUS
Santry Garda Station and Complex	Shanowen Road		Santry	Dublin 9	Garda Station	OWNED
State Pathologist & Mortuary	Former Whitehall Garda Station	25/26 Griffith Ave		Dublin 9	Office	OWNED
Scoil Mobhi	Saint Mobhi Road		Glasnevin	Dublin 9	School - National	OWNED
Scoil Chaitriona	Saint Mobhi Road		Glasnevin	Dublin 9	School - Secondary	OWNED
CLG Na Fianna	Saint Mobhi Road		Glasnevin	Dublin 9	Leisure	OWNED
Home Farm FC	Saint Mobhi Road		Glasnevin	Dublin 9	Leisure	OWNED
Glasnevin Meteorological Office	Glasnevin Hill		Glasnevin	Dublin 9	Office	OWNED
National Botanic Gardens	Botanic Road		Glasnevin	Dublin 9	National Historic Property	OWNED
Northwood Justice Office	Northwood Business Campus		Santry	Dublin 9	Office	LEASED
Airways Industrial Estate	Unit 1	Airways Industrial Estate	Santry	Dublin 9	Store	LEASED
Santry Book Repository			Santry	Dublin 9	Library	LEASED
Santry Revenue Warehouse/Office	Unit H Furry Park	Furry Park	Santry	Dublin 9	Office/Warehouse	LEASED
Office helpdesk facility	Block 3.1 Woodford Business Park		Santry	Dublin 9	Office	LEASED
Finglas Garda Station (Former)	North Road		Finglas	Dublin 11	Former GS	OWNED
Finglas SWO	Mellowes Road		Finglas	Dublin 11	Office	OWNED
Colaiste Caoimhin	St Mobhi Road		Glasnevin	Dublin 11	Office	OWNED
Dunsink Observatory	Dunsink Lane		Finglas	Dublin 11	Miscellaneous	OWNED
Ballymun Garda District HQ & SWD	Main St		Ballymun	Dublin 11	Garda Station	OWNED
Finglas Garda Station (New)	Mellowes Road		Finglas	Dublin 11	Garda Station	OWNED
Finglas Probation and Welfare Service	Poppintree Mall		Finglas	Dublin 11	Office	LEASED
Finglas Driving Test Centre and Revenue Store	Unidare Industrial Estate	Jamestown Road	Finglas	Dublin 11	Office	LEASED
Jamestown Bus Park Warehouse	Jamestown Business Park	Jamestown Road	Finglas	Dublin 11	Warehouse	LEASED
Storage Facility	Unit 9 Jamestown Business Park		Finglas	Dublin 11	Warehouse	LEASED

Waste Management

Questions (250)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

250. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the requirements on event organisers and vendors to have integrated waste management plans when hosting events in the Phoenix Park; the guidance provided by the Office of Public Works, OPW, to help event organisers and vendors minimise waste when hosting events in the Phoenix Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10390/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works has developed an extensive set of Terms and Conditions which includes conditions relating to waste management for all events in the Phoenix Park. These conditions are also relevant to vendors in the Park.

Event organisers/vendors are required to provide OPW with a detailed Waste/Litter Management Plan for the location where they propose to hold an event/operate. They must also liaise with the "Leave No Trace" organisation and follow the core principals of leaving no evidence or waste or litter post events.

Each event organiser must outline their daily cleaning, recycling, and general waste management provisions for an event. An event safety officer usually oversees these procedures and ensures compliance with their Waste/Litter Management Plan as submitted to this Office in advance.

Staff in the Phoenix Park carry out routine inspections of the site where an event is being held and are very vigilant with regard to waste reduction and regular emptying of bins etc. Some large event organisers will have their own recycling compactors on-site for the duration of their event.

The Office of Public Works advise the use, in so far as possible, of "green products.” OPW takes its responsibility to protect the Phoenix Park and the environment extremely seriously and seeks to support event organisers/vendors to minimise and reduce waste as much as possible.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (251)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 20 January 2021, if clarity will be provided on the issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10433/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As the Deputy will appreciate, the operation of pension scheme rules for Commercial Semi-State companies are the responsibility of the relevant Government Department. Based on the circumstances outlined in this particular case, this would appear to be a matter for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in the context of that Department's responsibility for the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, as amended by the Telecommunications (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1996. This legislation governs pensions issues for the eircom superannuation schemes.

Ultimately, the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman is the appropriate body to deal with any specific pension complaints once these have first been subject to the relevant internal dispute resolution procedures.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (252)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

252. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if financial supports will be considered for community groups that have seen their community-based funding sources diminish during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10569/21]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Covid-19 Stability Fund, launched last Summer, initially provided €35 million in supports for charities, community groups and social enterprises and this was supplemented by a further €10 million in December 2020. Around 600 organisations have benefited from these significant supports, specifically aimed at addressing funding challenges for groups delivering important services for citizens and in many cases for vulnerable groups.

As the Deputy will be aware there are also a range of existing income and liquidity supports in place across Government, supporting organisations which operate across many sectors including the community sector.

I am advised that the Department of Rural and Community Development also operate a number of schemes which can benefit local community groups. In particular the Community Services Programme, with funding of almost €49 million available in 2021, supports over 400 community organisations throughout the county. A Covid-19 support fund is in place to support Community Services Programme funded organisations facing funding challenges due to Covid-19. In addition, in 2020, the Community Enhancement Fund supported over 3,000 projects including funding for childcare groups, recreational groups and elderly support groups, and there is funding of €4.5m available for this fund in 2021.

I should also bring the Deputy's attention to the recent announcement by Minister Humphreys of €800,000 to support the regeneration of social enterprises, to help them recover from the devastating impact of Covid-19 on their activities. The programme, which is funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, will provide free training and mentoring to social enterprise managers, directors and staff across the country.

In conclusion, the Government has provided and is continuing to provide a range of sectoral and horizontal Covid supports for the community sector. The ongoing requirement for such supports will be kept under review by Government.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (253)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

253. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when outdoor activities such as football training are expected to resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10325/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Government yesterday agreed that the current public health restrictions on sport and exercise – including the restrictions on football and other field sports – will be extended until 5 April. The current epidemiological situation is such that it does not permit Government consideration at this time of the resumption of football training. The Government's clear message at the present time is for people to stay in their homes, unless necessary for those essential reasons set out in the public health regulations.

The Government has this week published the COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery Plan 2021 – The Path Ahead and agreed that the public health restrictions will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. The public health advice is that it is too early to say how and when other restrictions should be eased given current uncertainties. Government will meet in advance of the 5th of April to review the level of restrictions. The focus of the assessment, based on the public health advice, will be on achieving the following before any significant easing of measures is contemplated: Disease prevalence (case numbers/incidence) is brought to much lower levels that can be managed and controlled by public health and that the reproduction number (“R” number) is such that we can be confident that we can continue to suppress the 1. disease e.g. at or below

2. Hospital and critical care occupancy are reduced to low levels to protect the health service and allow for the safe resumption of non-COVID-19 care.

3. Ongoing and steady progress on the vaccination programme such that the most vulnerable are protected through vaccination.

4. Emerging information on variants of concern.

Any easing of measures should be slow and gradual with sufficient time between phases to assess impact and to respond if the epidemiological situation was to deteriorate. It will take account of emerging international and national evidence and experience and with a specific focus on supporting mental health and wellbeing. The Government has agreed that the following areas may be considered if the situation improves sufficiently:

- Some easing of restrictions on outdoor activities and meetings beyond 1 other household.

- Consideration of extending the current 5km limit.

- Staggered start of easing of other areas of activity with a focus on outdoor activities including sport and some areas of construction.

Minister Martin and I will continue our engagement with Sport Ireland and the sporting bodies with a view to bringing proposals at the appropriate time for consideration by Government, in consultation with NPHET and the public health authorities.

National Archives

Questions (254)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

254. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to introduce legislation to enable the development of systematic web archiving on a legal deposit basis; her views on the need for such an archive for Ireland’s national research infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10328/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

In Ireland, Section 29 of the Copyright and Other Intellectual Property Law Provisions Act 2019 (the 2019 Act) introduces a provision for copyright libraries to request a publisher to deposit a copy of a digital publication first published in the State. This introduced digital legal deposit in Ireland. Allied to that is the challenge of archiving the web and the difficulties of collecting, preserving and providing access to information as digital content grows at an unprecedented rate. Since 2011, as part of its mission is to collect, protect and make available the recorded memory of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland (NLI), has selectively archived the web, moving toward the creation of an archive of Irish websites. Web archiving is the process of “harvesting” portions of the web and preserving the collections in an archival format to ensure it remains accessible in the future. The harvested sites are preserved sometimes long after the original site has disappeared. An archived website is fully functioning and can be navigated like a live website.

The NLI’s web archiving activity since 2011 has collected websites of important events in Irish life. The collection includes inter alia websites such as government websites, websites for sporting events, festivals, elections, referenda and websites of political parties. The archived website or social media account forms part of the national collection and are available at https://www.nli.ie/en/udlist/web-archive-collections.aspx.

The NLI identifies websites and social media accounts for inclusion in its web archive in line with the Library’s collection development policy. The public is encouraged to recommend websites through a nomination form on the website. As web-archiving in Ireland is by notification, website and social media account owners are notified of the NLI's intent to include them in the web archive. They can decline at any point to being included in the web archive. Sites are collected by a ‘web crawler’ which is a piece of automated software designed to capture websites at a particular point in time. The crawler downloads code, images, documents and other files that are essential to reproducing the website and its contents so that it is as similar to its original form as possible. Allied to this, my Department is working with the NLI on a report exploring the feasibility of expanding the NLI’s capacity to establish a digital legal deposit scheme to serve as a web archive for the .ie domain.

Tourism Funding

Questions (255)

Niall Collins

Question:

255. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a support scheme will be reviewed and assistance provided to a business (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10501/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

In response to the challenges being experienced by the Coach Tourism sector the Government provided €10m to fund the Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme. The scheme is administered by Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for with further details regarding the administration of the scheme. Please let my private office know if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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

Departmental Offices

Questions (256)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

256. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the facilities available in her Department to facilitate breastfeeding breaks in accordance with WHO guidelines of two years for women in the workplace and as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9381/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Breastfeeding mothers in my Department have access to secure and private rest rooms in four Departmental locations, some of which are shared with other Government Departments. These spaces are also available to staff who become unwell or to pregnant staff who may need to rest.

Mothers who return to work in my Department following maternity leave are advised of their entitlements to paid breaks to facilitate breastfeeding or lactation.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (257)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if applicants who have already applied to the coach tourism business continuity scheme will be able to apply for the business continuity scheme phase 2; if they will be eligible to get paid under both schemes; if not, if they will be allowed to pick the scheme which is financially most beneficial to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9579/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The administration of the relevant business continuity schemes referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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

Ministerial Advisers

Questions (258)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

258. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the names and contact details for each special adviser requested for appointment by her in tabular form. [9606/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The names and contact details for each special adviser requested for appointment by me are:

Tanya Warren	[e-mail]
Juno McEnroe	[e-mail]

Departmental Staff

Questions (259)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

259. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff employed in her Department by gender and by Civil Service salary scale in tabular form. [9671/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am informed that the number of staff employed in my Department by gender and by civil service salary scale on18th February 2021 is as laid out in the table below. The Deputy should note that the table does not differentiate between officers on personal pension contribution (PPC) and non personal pension contribution (non PPC) salary scales, as differences between these scales provide for technical differences between superannuation schemes.

Grade	Female	Male
SECRETARY GENERAL LEVEL III	1
ASSISTANT SECRETARY	1	2
PRINCIPAL	7	10
PRINCIPAL HIGHER	4	4
ADVISORY COUNSEL GRADE 3	1
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL	23	16
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL HIGHER	6	8
CHIEF PLACENAMES OFFICER		1
ENGINEER GRADE 2 CIVIL		1
KEEPER OF MANUSCRIPTS	1	1
PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT GRADE 1	1
SENIOR ARCHIVIST	4	1
HEO HIGHER SCALE	8	11
HEO STANDARD SCALE	33	26
TRANSLATOR GRADE 3	1
AO STANDARD SCALE	5	5
ARCHIVIST	8	2
HEO INSPECTOR	1
PLACENAMES OFFICER		1
EO HIGHER SCALE	14	2
EO STANDARD SCALE	41	20
EO TRAINEE ANALYST HIGHER SCALE	1
HIGHER TAX OFFICER	3
CIVILIAN DRIVER		2
CLERICAL OFFICER	22	18
CLERICAL OFFICER HIGHER SCALE	9	1
CLERICAL OFFICER TEMPORARY	6	2
HEAD SERVICES OFFICER		1
SERVICES OFFICER	2	6
	203	141
Total Number of Staff	344
Grade	Female	Male

Departmental Reviews

Questions (260)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

260. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by her; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed in tabular form. [9693/21]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of those live studies, reviews and research currently underway or commissioned by my Department is set out in the table below.

Title, research body and date commenced	Details of Study / Review / Research	Completion Date and Publication
EPIC-MUSS (Research Body-DCU School of Arts Education and Movement) Commenced October 2018	The purpose of this study is to explore the processes of creative and inclusive music making within a wide geographical spread of primary and post primary schools that have created showcase performances of their musical endeavours.	Completion date March 2021. This research, which will be published, will assist the Creative Ireland Programme and its partners in developing potential new initiatives and/or policy considerations. In addition to any internal review procedures within the research body involved, the Creative Ireland Programme will monitor progress of the research.
A National Survey of Children, their Parents and Adults Regarding Online Safety (Research Body- Ipsos-MRBI) Commenced Sept -19	The objectives of the new primary research are: To describe the demographic profile of internet users in Ireland, To determine how internet users in Ireland (adults, children and parents) use and access the internet and their digital skills, To estimate the prevalence of online risks and abuse experienced by internet users, To identify opportunities and benefits obtained through the use of the internet, To identify the safety practices of adults and children when using the internet, and, To identify how parents mediate in the use of the internet by their children.	Completed date December 2020 This piece of research was commissioned by the Department on behalf of the National Advisory Council for Online Safety (NACOS). The terms of reference of the Council include, among other things, the provision of advice to Government on online safety issues and reviewing national and international research and disseminating key findings to Government, stakeholders and the wider public. NACOS will consider this research and findings are expected to be published in Q2 2021.
Participation in social and creative activities in Ireland among adults aged 50 and over and the effects of this on health and wellbeing. (Research Body The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at TCD) Commenced September 2020	COVID-19 has magnified the health and wellbeing of older people in society and highlighted potential for research on the impacts on wellbeing. This Fellowship aims to determine participation in social and creative activities among adults aged 50 and over and the effects on health and wellbeing.	September 2021. Not yet completed. This research, which will be published, will assist the Creative Ireland Programme and its partners in developing potential new initiatives and/or policy considerations. In addition to any internal review procedures within the research body involved, the Creative Ireland Programme will monitor progress of the research.
Inclusion and engagement of Children of Muslim background in creative activities in Ireland (Research Body-UCD) Commencing March 2021	Exploring its relevance, describing hurdles and barriers, identifying national and international best practices and experience in mitigating them.	Completion date December 2021. This research, which will be published, will assist the Creative Ireland Programme and its partners in developing potential new initiatives and/or policy considerations. In addition to any internal review procedures within the research body involved, the Creative Ireland Programme will monitor progress of the research including periodic presentations to the relevant Creative Ireland Expert Advisory Group.
Creative Capacity in Ireland: Working towards Wellbeing (Research Body-Mary Immaculate College, Limerick) Commencing March 2021	This project will examine international research to better understand what impact creative activity can have on wellbeing. It will seek out and celebrate best practice in this domain in Ireland and showcase what makes good projects work. It will also illuminate what impedes best practice in order to recommend structural and policy changes to enable more valuable practice and a greater range of work to emerge in this area.	Completion date December 2021. This research, which will be published, will assist the Creative Ireland Programme and its partners in developing potential new initiatives and/or policy considerations. In addition to any internal review procedures within the research body involved, the Creative Ireland Programme will monitor progress of the research including periodic presentations to the relevant Creative Ireland Expert Advisory Group.