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Wednesday, 24 Mar 2021

Written Answers Nos. 533-558

Flood Risk Management

Questions (533)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

533. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times in the past two years the OPW has met with the insurance industry regarding flood insurance under the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14862/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Finance (DOF) has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance.  The Office of Public Works (OPW) has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed OPW flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the Insurance industry. This MOU sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding.

While Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas, the MOU does not guarantee the availability of flood insurance. 

A Working Group operates under the terms of the MOU and this Group meets on a quarterly basis.  During the period 2019/20, the Working Group met on eight occasions in total.  The next meeting of the Group will take place on 24th March, 2021.    

The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers.  Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis.

Insurance related complaints or queries may be directed to Insurance Ireland's Insurance Information Service (01 676 1914 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu).  In addition, the Financial Services Ombudsman (1890 88 20 90) deals independently with unresolved complaints from consumers about their individual dealings with all financial service providers.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (534)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

534. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 78 of 9 December 2020, if payment was made; and the breakdown of the works for which payment was made. [14972/21]

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Written answers

Westmeath County Council has informed the Office of Public Works (OPW) that the Senior Management costs associated with the original funding request are now being absorbed directly by the Council. The direct costs to the Council of the repair works to the broken sewer are being discharged through the normal recoupment process between the Council and OPW. It is understood these costs were not significant and have been recouped by the Council.

EU Funding

Questions (535)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

535. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of Ireland's submission of a national plan under the recovery and resilience fund; if Ireland has submitted a draft plan; if so, the feedback the EU Commission has given on the plan including on the issue of the way in which the draft addresses Ireland's country specific recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14985/21]

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Written answers

Ireland is expected to receive €853 million in grants under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) in 2021 and 2022.  A further set of grants is to be allocated in 2023, taking into account economic developments between now and then.

In order to access this funding, Ireland must develop a National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) for approval by the European Union. The Plan must set out the reforms and investments to be supported by the Facility and must be submitted to the European Commission no later than 30 April 2021.

My Department, working together with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Finance, is responsible for preparing the Plan with input from other Departments as appropriate, and for ensuring coordination across Government. 

As part of this process, Irish officials are engaged in ongoing and detailed dialogue with their European Commission counterparts, while the Minister for Finance and I will be meeting Economy Commissioner Gentiloni.

The aim of the RRF is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic and make European economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions.

Accordingly, Ireland’s plan will have a particular focus on green and digital transition, as well as supporting economic recovery and job creation.  

National plans must also strike a balance between reforms and investments.  These must seek to address challenges identified in the relevant Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) received by Ireland in 2019 and 2020, which arise as part of the European Semester process, and all of these matters fall to be addressed in the context of the ongoing, productive dialogue among officials. For 2021, Ireland’s National Reform Programme will be integrated into our National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

National Monuments

Questions (536)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

536. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the Skelligs for 2021; the provisional open season date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15071/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works is focussed on working to reopen Skellig Michael to visitors in 2021.   This will require significant planning and engagement with OPW site staff and local stakeholders.  The exact date cannot be advised at this time as, once the weather is favourable and access to the island is possible, a full inspection will be required in addition to the usual requirement for pre-season essential maintenance works.  These works are required every year to make the site as safe as possible for visitors and staff following winter storms which inevitably cause some damage to steps, pathways, etc.  The successful completion of these works will decide the 2021 opening date for the island.

The re-opening of Skellig Michael to visitors will also obviously depend on the position in regard to any Covid-19 restrictions that may be in force and with which the OPW and other stakeholders will comply.

Greenways Provision

Questions (537)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

537. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will engage with Fáilte Ireland, local authorities and other stakeholders to examine the way existing and planned coastal and river defences could also act as valuable walking and cycling infrastructure; if his attention has been drawn to the example of the Keel Loop Walk, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15077/21]

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Written answers

The provision of walkways and cycleways is a matter for local authorities and the OPW would be happy to work with the local authorities and other State bodies with their planned development of such community assets, where feasible.

In respect of the OPW’s planned programme of flood relief schemes, the OPW works with those local authorities that wish to explore opportunities for the provision, where feasible, of additional public realm elements such as cycling and walking.

As the Deputy is aware the Office of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of embankments that form part of arterial drainage schemes it completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts. These embankments are not in State ownership but are on lands that are for the most part privately owned. I am advised that these embankments were not designed or constructed to cater for cycleways or walkways and might not have the capability to have any sort of walking or cycling infrastructure placed on top of them.

Departmental Transport

Questions (538)

Duncan Smith

Question:

538. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15125/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not own or lease any vehicles.

This is also the case for all of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, with the exception of the Office of Public Works and the position in relation to that Office is set out in the table below.

Office of Public Works (OPW)

Type of Vehicle

No. of Operated Vehicles

No. of Operated Vehicles leased

No. of Operated Vehicles owned

No. of ICE Operated Vehicle

No. of non-ICE Operated Vehicle

Petrol

 1

 -

 1

 1

 -

Diesel

 310

 12

 298

 310

 -

Hybrid

 -

 -

-

 -

 -

Plug in Hybrid

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

Electric

 4

-

 4

-

 4

Departmental Bodies

Questions (539, 540, 541)

Gerald Nash

Question:

539. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Institute of Public Administration, the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis are operating under the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies; if all such bodies have a trained access officer; if so, the year they first appointed an access officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/21]

View answer

Gerald Nash

Question:

540. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis have an access team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15337/21]

View answer

Gerald Nash

Question:

541. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis have an evacuation chair for mobility impaired persons in cases in which it is required at all of their premises; if so, if staff or agents at such premises have formal training with regard to the use of such a chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15338/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 539 to 541, inclusive, together.

In the first instance, the Deputy may wish to note the nature of the bodies referenced in his question.  The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) are companies limited by guarantee who are in receipt of grant funding from my Department.  The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a cross-border North South Implementation Body, established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement and jointly sponsored by my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland. The SEUPB operates under the policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council, and is headquartered in Belfast, with smaller offices in Omagh and Monaghan.

I am advised that the position of these bodies in respect of the information requested by the Deputy is as set out in the table below.

Body

Code of Practice currently in operation

Trained Access Officer available

Access Team available

Evacuation Chair available and trained staff available for use

IPA

The IPA undertook an accessibility audit of its infrastructure and services in 2017 which was informed by this code and the NDA. The IPA continues to implement the audit recommendations and its obligations under the NDA inform all IPA infrastructural and refurbishment strategic and operational plans.

No

No

Yes

ESRI

As a company limited by guarantee, the provisions of the Code do not directly apply to the Institute. However, the Institute complies with all relevant Health and Safety legislation, is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of accessibility, and will consider the provisions of the Code in tandem with future reviews of accessibility.

No

No

The ESRI reviews its fire safety and evacuation procedures regularly including requirements around safe access/egress. ESRI assessments to date have not identified the need for an evacuation chair in the ESRI building. Any future recommendation for such a chair will be implemented.

SEUPB  

Yes

The role of access officer falls to the Human Resources team (internal focus), with the assistance of the Communications team (external focus).

The role of ‘access team’ within the Special EU Programmes Body falls to the Human Resources team (internal focus), with the assistance of the Communications team (external focus).

The Special EU Programmes Body does not currently have an evacuation chair for mobility impaired persons at any of its three office sites, although there are plans to source one for the Belfast site, and for the other sites should the requirement arise to accommodate mobility impaired employees. However, the Belfast office of the Body is located in a shared occupancy building and there is an accessible evacuation chair for utilisation by the Body in an emergency. There are also refuge points at all three sites where mobility impaired persons can wait for assistance from emergency services. The responsibility for developing, implementing and monitoring the Health and Safety Policy (including fire safety) for the Body across all three Special EU Programmes Body sites falls to the Human Resources Manager. Fire risk assessments for all three sites have been carried out and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans are in place for any disabled employees who require one, or anyone with mobility issues.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (542)

Gerald Nash

Question:

542. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis are in compliance with the Web Accessibility Directive EU 2016/2021 with regard to websites from 23 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15339/21]

View answer

Written answers

In the first instance, the Deputy may wish to note the nature of the bodies referenced in his question.  The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) are companies limited by guarantee who are in receipt of grant funding from my Department.  The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a cross-border North South Implementation Body, established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement and jointly sponsored by my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland. The SEUPB operates under the policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council, and is headquartered in Belfast, with smaller offices in Omagh and Monaghan.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Special EU Programmes Body is fully compliant with the Web Accessibility Directive EU 2016/2102.

I am advised of the following in respect of the other two bodies.

Body / Agency

Current Position

Institute of Public Administration (IPA)

Accessibility is defined within the Directive as meaning web content and mobile apps must be “Perceivable, Operable and Usable” by persons with disabilities, and they must be “Robust” enough to work on different browsers, and with different assistive technologies. The IPA deems its website to fall within these parameters. However, the IPA has not undertaken an independent external assessment of its website under the EU Directive referenced above.

 

Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)

The EU directive requires that website’s comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG A and AA standards. The ESRI website is close to meeting these standards, based on a recent assessment. The ESRI website was built with accessibility and usability at its core, and was built to be accessible to the WCAG standard as per Web Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA. A recent accessibility assessment has identified that overall the ESRI website is close to meeting WCAG 2.1 Level A and AA. A small number of areas have been identified where improvement is required. The ESRI is committed to implementing these improvements as and when identified, and to continuously review and improve its website accessibility on an ongoing basis.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (543)

Gerald Nash

Question:

543. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Institute of Public Administration and the Special EU Programmes Body as bodies under his aegis procure their legal services through the Office of Government Procurement framework; the bodies which do not procure their legal services through the framework; the last time agencies that were not part of the framework tendered for legal services; if such procurement was carried out in accordance with circular 05/13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15340/21]

View answer

Written answers

In the first instance, the Deputy may wish to note the nature of the bodies referenced in his question.  The Institute of Public Administration (IPA) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) are companies limited by guarantee who are in receipt of grant funding from my Department.  The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a cross-border North South Implementation Body, established on foot of the Good Friday Agreement and jointly sponsored by my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland. The SEUPB operates under the policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council, and is headquartered in Belfast, with smaller offices in Omagh and Monaghan.

The information requested by the Deputy regarding the procurement of legal services by these bodies is set out in the table below.

Body / Agency

Legal Service procured through OGP Framework

 

Details of Legal Services last procured

IPA

No

Services were procured in 2020 and 2019, when the costs were €3,801 and €1,306 respectively. Services were procured in accordance with Circular 05/13.

ESRI

No

The ESRI legal services were procured in 2012 through a competitive tender process which predated Circular 05/13. The ESRI had scheduled to tender for these services in 2020 through the OGP Framework in accordance with its procurement plan. However, this has been deferred for now as a significant part of the ESRI, the Growing Up in Ireland Study, is in the process of transferring to the CSO and the D/CEDIY.  As there are complex legal issues involved, it was considered that changing provider during the transfer process would not be efficient and could result in additional costs.

SEUPB

No

SEUPB legal services were procured on 9 August 2018, and in compliance with circular 05/13, PGN 04/12 and the Programme rules for the PEACE IV and INTERREG VA Programmes.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (544)

Gerald Nash

Question:

544. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any of the bodies under the aegis of his Department have received protected disclosures since the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; if all such disclosures were reported as per the Act in their annual reports; if there were disclosures deemed not to be protected disclosures under the Act and thus not reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15341/21]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Office of the Ombudsman is the only body under the aegis of my Department that has received a protected disclosure since the enactment of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.  The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.

Body

Have any Protected Disclosures been received since enactment of Act?

How many Protected Disclosures been received since enactment of Act?

Where all Protected Disclosures reported in Annual Report?

Were any of the disclosures under the Act deemed to be not Protected Disclosures and not reported in Annual Report?

Office of the Ombudsman

Yes – to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC)

Three – to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC)

Yes

A court decision is required as to whether one purported disclosure is protected or not

Departmental Bodies

Questions (545)

Gerald Nash

Question:

545. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis have independent health and safety advisers at present; if so, if the procurement of such was carried out in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/21]

View answer

Written answers

The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.

Body / Agency

Independent Health and Safety advisors present

Company

Services procured in the last 3 years

Office of Public Works (OPW)

Yes

Engineering Design Consultants

Yes (OGP Framework)

Public Appointments Service (PAS)

Yes

Quadra Ltd

Yes (OGP Framework)

National Lottery Regulator

Yes

Safety Solutions Ltd.

Yes

National Shared Services Office (NSSO)

No

-

-

Office of the Ombudsman

No

-

-

State Laboratory

No

-

-

Departmental Bodies

Questions (546, 547)

Gerald Nash

Question:

546. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all bodies under his aegis have implemented the public sector and human rights duty under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; if they have reported in their annual reports since enactment on their developments and achievements with regard to human rights; if they have at all times promoted equality of opportunity and treatment of staff and persons to whom it provides services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15343/21]

View answer

Gerald Nash

Question:

547. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all the bodies under his aegis have set out in their strategic plans an assessment of the human rights and equality issues they view to be relevant to the functions and purpose of the body with regard to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15344/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 546 and 547 together.

The information requested regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.

Office of Public Works (OPW)

In the performance of its functions, and in accordance with the requirements of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014, the Office of Public Works has regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, to promote equality of opportunity and treatment, and to protect the human rights of its staff, clients and visitors.   The mechanisms used by the Office for meeting its public sector duty of care in these matters include:

- Implementation of the requirements for equality of access as set out in the Disability Act 2005;

- Implementation of a bespoke Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan designed in consultation with service users;

- Implementation of a Dignity at Work anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service and for State Industrial Employees working in the Civil Service;

- Implementation of best practice procedures for recruitment and selection in accordance with Employment Equality laws, to ensure that the Office acts as an equal opportunities employer; and

- Inclusion of staff representatives in collaborative discussions about policies and practices affecting them using mechanisms of Partnership, Departmental Council and Joint Industrial Council.

The Office of Public Works does not believe it has any strategic action or annual reporting obligations under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, having regard to its functions and purpose.  However, using the mechanisms outlined above, the Office remains fully committed to eliminating discrimination, promoting equality and protecting human rights at all times.  

Public Appointments Service (PAS)

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has implemented the public sector and human rights duty under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.  PAS have reported in their annual reports since enactment on their developments and achievements with regard to human rights, equality and diversity. 

PAS is committed to equality of opportunity for all (service users and staff), and ensuring that no unnecessary barriers are imposed on those who wish to pursue a career in the Public Service. PAS recognise that they have a key role to play in attracting candidates from all sectors of society, ensuring routes to career opportunities that are accessible to all potential candidates.  For the previous PAS Strategy (2017-2019), one of the five key goals in the Strategy was to “Develop stronger public recognition of our organisation to attract more diverse and high quality application pools”.  PAS also reported on the actions taken to achieve this goal in each Annual Report from 2017 to 2019.

The mission of the Public Appointments Service, as stated in their new Strategy Statement Nua 2020-2023, clearly identifies their core purpose: ‘Recruiting a diversity of people for the public service with the talent, character & commitment to deliver for Ireland’.  A key deliverable from the current strategy is the implementation of its first Equality Diversity & Inclusion Strategy (ED&I) 2021-2023, which will be published later this month. This Strategy takes a planned and systematic approach to realising their ambition to recruit a diverse workforce for the Public Service, ensuring also that PAS deliver on the statutory commitments embodied in equality and human rights legislation and ED&I related national strategies.  The Public Sector Duty provided a framework for the development of the PAS ED&I strategy in facilitating their assessment of issues related to equality and human rights in recruitment and employment.

An extensive consultation process with both internal and external stakeholders, aided by the guidance of an Expert Advisory Board, provided rich feedback and insights, which PAS evaluated and analysed to define the strategic change areas they would like to achieve.   The three strategic priorities for the period 2021 – 2023 identified are:

- Greater knowledge and understanding of the Irish Public sector workforce and recruitment pipelines, and how they reflect the diversity of Irish society and the communities it serves;

- Recruitment and selection processes encourage and enable access to candidates from diverse backgrounds; and

- PAS culture models best practice in ED&I, and PAS support clients in building Public Sector workplaces that embrace inclusion and reflect society.

PAS strategic impact areas are embedded and aligned with strategic priorities set out in the Statement of Strategy.

In order to support the development and delivery of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, PAS has established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit, led by an externally recruited Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at senior management level.  PAS are cognisant of the Public Sector Duty’s ‘Assess, Address, Report’ framework and the role of its guiding principles in the implementation of our ED&I strategy.  This is reflected in the indicative actions of their strategic change areas, which focus on assessing PAS progress during our ED&I journey and reporting against key success metrics as outlined in Nua.

National Shared Services Office (NSSO)

The NSSO provides HR, payroll and pensions administration services to agreed civil and public service bodies, including civil servant retirees.  NSSO have no dealings with the public directly.

Dignity and Respect training sessions were delivered to all staff members in 2019/2020 and is an integral part of induction for all new NSSO employees.

The NSSO is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and this is part of our NSSO People Plan under ED&I.  

Office of the Ombudsman

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 introduced a positive duty on public bodies to have due regard to human rights and equality issues.  The Office of the Ombudsman, which provides secretariat support to the Commission, is committed to providing a service to all clients that respects their human rights and their right to equal treatment and has adopted a proactive approach to implementing this duty. The Office’s approach is underlined by its core organisational values of independence, customer focus and fairness, which are evident in both the culture of the Office and its internal policies and procedures. In undertaking its statutory functions, the Office ensures that any failure to respect human rights is considered.  The Office of the Ombudsman reported on progress and achievements in respect of the duty in 2018 and 2019 Ombudsman annual reports and will report on it in the 2020 annual report.

In 2018, the Office of the Ombudsman established a working group on its public sector duty.  The group considered the human rights and equality issues relevant to its functions and identified the policies, plans and actions needed to address these. On foot of this, a Public Sector Duty Committee was established and an Equality Officer appointed.

The Committee has made a considerable amount of progress since 2018.  It oversaw the introduction of an e-learning module on human rights and equality for new staff members, carried out a review of all communications in the Office, introduced a revised internal communications strategy focusing on the availability of needs assessments and assistive technologies and enhanced the accessibility of the office for staff and visitors.

Up to 2020, the Committee had largely focused on what proactive changes it could make within the organisation.  However, in 2020 it expanded its focus to explore how it could implement public sector duty and promote human rights and equality though the public service bodies it deals with.  A new action plan was agreed for the short to medium-term, which aims to embed public sector duty into its core strategy and statutory functions and explore how it can introduce a human rights lens when it considers the actions of the public service providers under its remit. 

The Strategic Plan 2109-2021 sets out the human rights and equality issues relevant to the functions and purpose of the organisation with regard to the Act. The Office seeks to protect the human rights of all its service-users when investigating their complaints.  Staff are encouraged to bring a human rights perspective to their consideration of cases and provide training to the staff on how human rights and equality relate to their work.  The Office of the Ombudsman continue to seek a comprehensive jurisdiction to enable it to consider complaints from areas where human rights may be abused, including prisons.

Regulator of the National Lottery

The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery is a small office of just ten staff and which does not provide services to the public and has a limited stakeholder network with which it interacts. The ORNL has at all times promoted equality of opportunity and treatment of staff, and in recruitment welcomes applications from any person who has the competencies to carry out the duties of the post being filled.  In procurement it also requires tenderers/contractors to confirm that they comply with good industry practice and with all applicable laws including in the area of social and labour law. 

In 2019/20, the Office carried out a detailed, comprehensive review of its commitments under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, in line with its Public Sector Duty.  The findings of that work will be incorporated into the Office’s next Strategy Statement for 2022 to 2024 which is being developed and drafted in 2021 and reported on in annual reports for those years.

State Laboratory

The State Laboratory provides an analytical and advisory service to Government Departments and Offices and has no dealings with the public.

Dignity at work training programmes have been delivered to staff and external recruitment is via the Public Appointments Service, who are committed to a policy of equal opportunity.  Duties under the act regarding staff, have been considered under its People and Culture Strategy.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (548)

Thomas Gould

Question:

548. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a flood relief scheme is proposed for the Bridgestown and Moneyfluigh area, Inniscarra, County Cork. [15367/21]

View answer

Written answers

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.    

Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects.  Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie . The OPW has no application in respect of flooding in this area.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (549, 550)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

549. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average cost to the Exchequer for each apprentice employed in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15774/21]

View answer

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

550. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the average cost for each apprentice employed in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15841/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 550 together.

Apprenticeships programmes exist across the public service including craft apprenticeships in the uniformed services and a number of state agencies, as well as commercial semi-state bodies. 

In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for workforce planning in, and recruitment to, the civil service. 

The civil service is presently piloting two civil service apprenticeship programmes to enhance ongoing professionalisation of corporate functions in the areas of finance and information technology:

Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Programme

This pilot is presently underway with Revenue in conjunction with Accounting Technicians Ireland.

Programme apprentices are remunerated at the average rate of €26,604 per annum

ICT Apprenticeship Programme

This is presently being lead out by of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, with apprentices being placed in a number of Government Departments and Offices.

Programme apprentices are presently remunerated at the rate of €23,162 per annum

The rate of pay for apprentices represents the dual educational off-the-job and experiential on-the-job aspects of the respective programmes.

As the Deputy will be aware, the current Programme for Government commits to an expansion in the number of registered apprentices nationally to 10,000 annually by 2025, including an increase in apprentice numbers within the civil service and the public service.  The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has policy responsibility for apprenticeships nationally and following a call for written submissions in 2020 is, I understand, presently developing a National Action Plan for Apprenticeships in conjunction with key stakeholders that will be submitted to Government for its consideration in due course.

Garda Stations

Questions (551)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

551. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the use of overspill accommodation by the OPW in respect of the new Garda building at Military Road, Dublin; if he and or the OPW were informed by An Garda Síochána that a single site to house all operations and resources was the preferred design; the amount budgeted for the project as of 19 March 2021; if his attention has been drawn to an upwards creep in budget required for the project; and if he sanctions increased budget caps on the project. [15856/21]

View answer

Written answers

Planning for the new Military Road development commenced a number of years ago and the design of the building is based on the  numbers of An Garda Síochána personnel which  existed back then. The OPW  understands An Garda Síochána’s evolving workforce planning needs and is being very pro-actively engaging with An Garda Síochána in identifying accommodation solutions to meet their recent additional operational needs. The overall budget for the Military Rd project is €86.3m and the project is being developed within its overall budget.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (552)

David Cullinane

Question:

552. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16273/21]

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Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Covid-19 related spend in 2020 for my Department, the Office of Government Procurement which is also part of my Department, and the bodies under the aegis of the Department is set out in the tables below.

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Purpose of Spend

Cost

ICT Costs *

€621,050

Non-IT equipment and other costs

€44,300

Staffing Costs

€39,500

Cleaning

€24,600

Personal Protective Equipment / Sanitiser

€24,000

* ICT costs include, for example, IT equipment, web services costs, additional IT security measures and costs related to the COVID Tracker mobile app and the Vaccination Website

  Office of Government Procurement

Purpose of Spend

Cost

IT related (a portion of this is standard spend for new entrants at particular grades, a portion of it was a business decision to move away from replacing older desktops with laptops and the remaining spend was to enable OGP to work remotely and carry on business as usual  during the pandemic)

€161,800

Provision of legal advices for purpose of preparing advisory notes on Covid related topics and drafting of two legal agreements for use with standard form CWMF contracts

  €21,900

IT services for provisioning of application to triage Supplier offers of assistance with National response to the Pandemic

  €20,800

Courier Services

  €14,600

Personal Protective Equipment, signage and related sanitation materials

   €9,200

Equipment to enable home working

   €5,000

Online Working from Home Ergonomics course

   €2,400

Bodies under the Aegis of the Department

Purpose of Spend

Cost

Office of Public Works (OPW)

Cleaning / Clothing / Hygiene / H&S / Signage

€882,400

Building / Equipment / Vehicle - Upgrades and Maintenance

€754,370

IT and other Working from Home related costs

€739,200

Public Appointments Service (PAS)

 

IT and Supplies

€100,000

Recruitment Costs - Advertising & Testing

 €38,700

Travel & Subsistence

  €35,700

Miscellaneous Expenses

  €14,400

Premises Expense & Utilities

  €11,000

 

 

National Shared Services Office (NSSO)

 

IT – provision of laptops, secure remote working software and other IT peripherals

Facilities – additional security & enhanced cleaning services

Employee Wellbeing

€824,850

 

 

State Laboratory

 

Personal Protective Equipment – Gloves and Masks

  €52,200

ICT - Laptops & Screens

  €20,700

Safety Equipment - Mask fit testing system

  €8,200

Sanitiser

  €6,500

ICT - Remote access licences

  €5,200

Safety Equipment - Temperature monitor

  €2,100

 

 

Office of the Ombudsman

 

Remote IT equipment

  €10,000

Personal Protective Equipment - masks, alcohol gels, wipes, tissues etc.

  €5,200

 

 

Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery

 

IT equipment, ancillaries, and installation

€16,000

System to allow remote dial-in to desktop PCs

 €1,300

Covid Compliance Officer training

  €65

Departmental Administrative Arrangements

Questions (553)

Emer Higgins

Question:

553. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. [16292/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that payments by persons of the nature specified in the question do not arise in respect of my Department, given the nature of its role.

Arts Funding

Questions (554, 560, 563)

Michael Creed

Question:

554. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the €50 million fund for the live entertainment sector will be distributed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13931/21]

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Holly Cairns

Question:

560. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to run the live performance support scheme until 31 December 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14316/21]

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Niamh Smyth

Question:

563. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of disbursement of the €50 million support for live entertainment announced in Budget 2021; and the details of further measures to assist the industry in view of current Covid-19 restrictions. [14542/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 554, 560 and 563 together.

Recently, I was pleased to announce a €50 million suite of measures to support those in the Live Entertainment Sector.

As part of this suite, an allocation of €25 million is being made available under the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021.  This scheme builds on the successful outcomes of the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians and the valuable insights gained. This new scheme is aimed at commercial venues, producers and promoters in the culture sector and will support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and continued high quality artistic output for the general public. Grant recipients of the pilot LPSS may apply under this new scheme. The Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 opened for applications on 19th March 2021 and further information can be found on my Department's website.

An allocation of €5 million will also be made available to local authorities for outdoor live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit.  This will allow for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers. Performances can be recorded or streamed if health restrictions prevent live events.  Local authorities will be encouraged to engage events companies to develop and deliver a programme of performances. 

As a further support measure for those in the live entertainment industry, an allocation of €14m will be made available for a new scheme to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports.  The main features of this new Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments:

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;

- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.

Self-employed businesses whether sole traders, partnerships and incorporated entities operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply. The scheme will open when the necessary administrative and IT systems are in place.

€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector. This will be applied to supporting the installation of high quality recording and streaming facilities in venues through a competitive grant application process. 

Up to €1 million was allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming and it supported the employment of performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff. With gatherings still restricted, SPF 2021 curated a rich and dynamic programme of events involving hundreds of artists, musicians, performers, creators, and community organisations which was broadcast on the St. Patrick’s Festival TV online channel marking the national day.

Tourism Funding

Questions (555)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

555. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the second phase of the Bord Fáilte grant will be issued to persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14004/21]

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Written answers

The administration  of the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further details regarding the scheme.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (556)

Seán Canney

Question:

556. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the specific supports she will put in place to assist the 43 weekly newspapers nationwide whose advertising revenue has dropped due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14028/21]

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Written answers

A strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and to the provision of quality and impartial information, particularly in the context of Covid-19. I recognise the essential role that the print media plays in this regard. The production and publication of newspapers, journals and periodicals and the distribution of those publications has been listed as an essential service. The Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which are available to local newspapers.

The sector faces a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue.

In recognition of these longer term challenges, the Programme for Government provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission to consider the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion.  The Commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, recently concluded a public consultation to which a number of stakeholders in the print sector have made submissions. The Commission is currently in the process of engaging with key stakeholders in a series of thematic dialogues. I look forward to receiving the Commission's Report on the completion of its work which will inform media policy, including print media, over the next 10 years.

In terms of specific supports for the sector, the Deputy will appreciate it is of particular importance in relation to media organisations to avoid any perception of Government interference or influence and the funding of newspapers is therefore a complex issue. I am however cognisant of the importance of this sector, and the financial issues which it currently faces.

Since I assumed formal responsibility for the media sector in September 2020, I have engaged in meetings with key stakeholders including Newsbrands, Local Ireland and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). Most recently I met with Local Ireland on Wednesday 17th February. My officials continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to explore the issues facing the sector.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (557, 558)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

557. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to introduce targeted financial supports for lighting, sound and audiovisual engineering companies in the entertainment sector which have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic but which were not eligible for the tourism business continuity scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14288/21]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

558. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the frequency with which the flat payments of either €2,500 or €5,000 promised under the recently announced music entertainment business assistance scheme will be paid to eligible businesses; if these flat payments will be backdated to take into account the fact that these businesses had little or no financial support for the first 12 months of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14289/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.

In Budget 2021, an amount of €50m was provided for the live entertainment sector.  Recently, I was pleased to announce the allocation of this funding by way of a suite of measures to support those in the live entertainment Sector .

An allocation of €25 million is being made available under the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021.  This scheme builds on the successful outcomes of the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) in 2020. The pilot LPSS was widely welcomed and very successful, with many artists, including lighting sound and  audiovisual creatives getting employment in the weeks running up to Christmas.  The main criticism was that many in the sector did not benefit from the scheme as the amount available was just €5m.  Given that the new scheme amounts to five times the level of the pilot, I am confident that funding will now reach right across the live performance sector.  

I have also made an allocation of €14m available for a new scheme to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports.  The main features of this new Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) will see support offered by way of two levels of once-off flat payments in 2021:

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;

- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.

Under the scheme, musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio  equipment suppliers -  whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities - operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector will be eligible to apply. The scheme will open when the necessary administrative and IT systems are in place.

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