Written Answers Nos. 100-124
100. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38514/21]
View answerMy Department and the bodies under its aegis work closely with a range of key stakeholders and organisations in the implementation of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have policy responsibility for recruitment to the Civil Service. The Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all in terms of its recruitment and employment practices. This commitment is demonstrated in the Civil Service 2030 Renewal Strategy that was launched in May 2021.
The Public Appointments Services (PAS) is the principal recruiter for the Civil Service. PAS has established a dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit and embedded Diversity Champions throughout the organisation. In March 2021, PAS launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023 following extensive and ongoing engagements with NGOs.
Officials from my Department and PAS sit on the Implementation Group for the National Comprehensive Employment Strategy for the Employment of People with Disabilities 2015-2024. This national strategy commits to increase the percentage of staff with a disability from 3% to 6% by 2024 (presently 3% under the Disability Act 2005). This employment target is monitored by the National Disability Authority. At the end of 2019, 5.1% of civil servants self-declared as having a disability.
There are many positive examples of how my Department, working alongside key stakeholders in the Civil Service including PAS, has worked to promote civil service employment pathways for persons with a disability.
In partnership with AHEAD, the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme offers graduates with a disability a 6 month mentored paid work placement in either the private sector or Civil Service. My Department and PAS play a key role in driving the annual intakes of work placements across the Civil Service. To date, WAM has placed over 490 graduates, of which 47% (230) have been placements across 33 Departments / Offices. Over 80% of WAM graduates have subsequently secured longer-term employment upon completion of their WAM programme. Officials from my Department are presently scoping the possibility of a confined competition to create permanent civil service employment opportunities for graduates of the WAM programme.
Facilitated by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service in collaboration with two sponsor organisations, KARE and WALK, the Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) Programme is an applied learning, development and socialisation programme for adults with an intellectual disability that was launched as a pilot programme in September 2018. The goal is to provide trainees with the skills, knowledge and ability to gain meaningful employment via the unique opportunity to gain practical work experience, as well as accredited learning over an 11 month period. Over a quarter of the initial OWL interns have since gone on to secure permanent civil service employment through confined competitions.
My Department also works closely with the National Disability Authority, as well as the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, on the Equality Budgeting Expert Advisory Group established to further guide the ongoing rollout of Equality Budgeting. Equality Budgeting has developed over recent years with a view to enhancing the role of resource allocation policies in advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. Equality Budgeting was expanded in 2019 to further develop the gender budgeting elements and to broaden its scope to other dimensions of equality including poverty, socioeconomic inequality and disability.
In terms of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within my own Department, the HR Unit developed a HR Strategy that has a focus on embracing and embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion across the Department through diversity initiatives and training. This has included the establishment of a vibrant cross-Divisional and cross-grade Diversity and Inclusion staff forum, the PERspectives Group. My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who supports new members of staff with a disability or existing staff who acquire a disability and raise awareness about disability. New hires receive the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service, a welcome letter from the Department’s DLO and FAQs on Disability prepared by the National Disability Authority.
The position in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below.
|
Office of Public Works (OPW) |
As part of the 2019 review of Section 25 of the Disability Act, OPW engaged in consultation workshops with user groups. This was carried out in partnership with the National Disability Authority. In conjunction with the National Disability Authority, facilitators Connect the Dots were appointed, on foot of a tender process. They had previously worked on a range of active engagement processes for Dublin City Council and other local authorities. It is now intended to use this experience to inform future similar active engagement opportunities as the situations require. As there is a specific set of skills and competencies required to do this, and in preparation for future active engagement consultation processes, OPW need to upskill OPW staff in-house and provide training in Active Engagement. This is essential if the OPW is to take this on in another programme which requires participation in active engagement. An additional requirement is the appointment of experts to guide OPW through the required processes. A dedicated consultative committee is in the process of being set up with key stakeholders from across the organisation. This is to ensure future engagement protocols can be agreed at high level and be established to have meaningful future results. |
|
National Shared Services Office (NSSO) |
The NSSO are actively engaged with the Civil Service Disability Liaison Officers Network and engaged with other programmes such as the Willing Able and mentoring (WAM) Programme of Association for Higher Education Access & Disability (AHEAD). A Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) is appointed in the NSSO that actively engages with and supports the NSSO staff. |
|
Public Appointments Service |
The PAS ED&I strategy was launched in March 2021. As part of the consultation process, PAS engaged with a wide range of stakeholders who represented people from across the diversity spectrum. In relation to disability, this included organisations such as the National Disability Authority, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Rehab, AHEAD, Dyslexia Ireland, WALK and Not so Different. PAS consistently engages with organisations and individuals in the disability space in seeking to improve services for people with disabilities. The Public Appointments Service also work closely with AHEAD in delivering the WAM programme for graduates with a disability, managing the recruitment process on an annual basis. PAS also work with the Houses of the Oireachtas, KARE and WALK in developing the OWL Programme. PAS collaborated with these stakeholders in producing a Guide to Inclusive Employment, based on their experience as OWL employers, which features the graduates perspective and experience of the programme. PAS have become a member of Open Doors, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive employment and creating pathways for marginalised people, including those with disabilities. It is planned to engage external expertise to conduct an ED&I audit, which will include consultation with candidates, including those with disabilities, to gain key insights into their candidate experience. PAS are also currently working on enhancing its service delivery for people with disabilities, based on a number of recommendations surfaced through workshops with staff and clients on the candidate journey for people with disabilities, from application to assignment stage. PAS build capacity and capability around disability on a regular and continuous basis, and recently developed an online Disability Awareness module which all staff were requested to complete. This is also incorporated into the suite of online resources which board members are required to complete before participating in a selection process. More recently, a CPD-certified four week training course concluded in July, with a large number of staff from across the organisation attending. This course was focused on equality and ensuring an understanding and awareness of how best to support candidates with a disability throughout the recruitment process and at assignment stage. |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
The Office of the Ombudsman has an appointed Access Officer in line with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. The Access Officer is responsible for providing, arranging or co-ordinating assistance to persons with disabilities who wish to access the services provided by the Office. They also acts as a point of contact for persons with disabilities who wish to access such services.. The Office also has a Public Sector Duty Committee which was established in 2018. The purpose of the committee is to oversee the office’s obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. This is the responsibility on public bodies to take positive actions to prevent discrimination, promote equality and protect the human rights of employees, customers and services users. The Access Officer is responsible, in collaboration with the Public Service Duty Committee and Corporate Services Unit, for ensuring access to services at all time that are in line with the provisions of the Disability Act. Some of the support measures in place include a wheelchair friendly workplace, the availability of needs assessments, hearing loops, assistive technologies and accessible communications. The Disability Act gives the Ombudsman the powers to examine complaints about Part 3 of the Act. This Part deals with access to public buildings (section 25), access to services (section 26), accessibility of services supplied to a public body (section 27), access to information (section 28), access to heritage sites (section 29) and ‘Sectoral plans’ (sections 32 to 37). This means a person can complain to the Office is they think a public body has not followed the law. For example, the Ombudsman can look into complaints about access to public buildings. The Ombudsman can also examine complaints about sectoral plans prepared under Section 31 of the Act. These are detailed statements produced by certain Government Ministers about services for persons with disabilities. Areas covered by sectoral plans include public transport, health services, vocational training, employment support services, housing and accommodation. |
|
State Laboratory |
The State Laboratory does not provide a service to the public. Staff with disabilities and visitors with disabilities are consulted with individually. |
|
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL) |
The ORNL does not actively engage with people with disabilities through consultative committees or other fora as it does not provide services directly to the public. The ORNL’s Customer Charter and Action Plan sets out how the Office meets the needs of people with disabilities who wish to call to its office. |
101. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the levels of capital expenditure which will be allocated for infrastructure projects for County Cork; the timeframe for these allocations; the projects for which funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38588/21]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. Decisions on how and where those allocations are invested by Departments are a matter, in the first instance, for my Ministerial colleagues. The key role in leading development at county level rests with the relevant local authority.
However, my Department has published Regional Reports for 2018 and 2019 under Project Ireland 2040 which give a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country including in Cork and the rest of the South-West region. While the Regional Reports for the South-West do not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure in the region, they serve to highlight the diverse range of capital investments being made by the State in the county of Cork.
More granular information on individual projects and programmes can be found on the capital investment tracker published by my Department and mostly recently updated in December 2020. The tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments that make up Project Ireland 2040. It focuses on projects with estimated costs greater than €20 million. The last update increased the coverage of projects, included the facility to search the tracker by county and added user-friendly dashboards and other information to aid interpretation of the data.
The myProjectIreland interactive map was also updated in December 2020 and was extended to include almost 800 projects across the country. By clicking on the map on gov.ie/2040, citizens will find updated information on what has been achieved and what is planned for their own local area. This version features a dashboard with charts, allowing citizens to see the progress being made on projects at a glance. New search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode. The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040. Further updates to these publications are planned for later this year.
102. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons recruited into the civil service in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 on panels specifically reserved for those with a competency in Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38691/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent recruiter for appointments to the civil service. All recruitment is demand-led and PAS undertakes competitions on behalf of the civil service to establish panels that may be drawn upon as vacancies arise in Government Departments or Offices.
Irish speaking candidates may apply for general civil service roles by way of specific bilingual competitions or, alternatively, they may apply for non-bilingual competitions and note their expression of interest for Irish-speaking or bilingual posts. Separate ad hoc specialist competitions may also be held periodically for more technical roles that require Irish fluency such as Aistritheoir, Parliamentary Reporter and School Inspector.
It should be noted that the placement of any candidate on a particular competition panel is not an offer of employment. Recruitment is demand led and a panel may be drawn upon as and when vacancies arise during the lifetime of the panel.
Details of general service vacancies filled by Irish language candidates during the period 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021 are set out below:
|
Grade |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (to 30 June) |
Total |
|
Clerical Officer |
15 |
4 |
9 |
28 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
18 |
14 |
33 |
|
Total |
16 |
22 |
23 |
61 |
This is in addition to specialist vacancies filled by Irish language candidates during the period 1 January 2019 to 30 June 2021, details of which are set out below:
|
Grade |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (to 30 June) |
Total |
|
Specialist |
11 |
4 |
5 |
20 |
A nationwide Irish language Clerical Officer competition is presently underway for the Civil Service by PAS. I understand that PAS will commence planning for a new Irish language Executive Officer competition during Q3 2021.
The Deputy will be aware that the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019, currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, proposes a 20% Irish language fluency target for all new hires to the public service by 2030 in line with Programme for Government commitments. The implementation of the Government’s Rural Development Strategy “Our Rural Future” that was launch in March by the Minister for Community and Rural Development, may also provide enhanced opportunities for Irish-speaking roles in the public service in the years ahead.
103. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the recent recruitment process for the vacant position of Secretary General of the Department of Health was advertised; the number of advertisements placed in publications and through social media; the number of applicants for the position; the number of international applicants; the number of persons on the interview board; the qualifications and gender of each; the number that reached the final interview; if the successful candidate was chosen from a final list of suitably qualified individuals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31333/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the selection process for the appointment to the position of Secretary General in the Department of Health was undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) with the assistance of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
The position of Secretary General in the Department of Health was openly advertised on 8 January 2021. Applications for this competition closed on 28 January 2021.
In addition to being published by PAS on its publicjobs.ie portal, the position was extensively advertised through social media (LinkedIn and Twitter) as well as national and international advertisements placed online with the Journal of American Medical Association, New Zealand Medical Association, Canadian Medical Association, Medical Journal of Australia, Irish Times, RecruitIreland, Guardian UK and the Health Service Journal.
PAS also issued job alerts by email and text message to those who have registered their interest in positions at this level on the publicjobs.ie website. TLAC has also circulated it to Civil Service Departments as well as other Public Service Bodies.
In relation to the TLAC selection process, PAS convenes a Preliminary Interview Board to review all eligible applications, identifying a shortlist of candidates who were invited to attend a Preliminary Interview.
This Preliminary Panel explores each shortlisted candidate’s CV, track record, competencies and suitability in regard to the post under consideration.
Based on the interview and documentation, the function of this Preliminary Interview Board is to identify those candidates who, in the Board’s judgement, are suitable for progression to final interview, generally to a maximum of 5 candidates.
Candidates successful at the Preliminary Interview stage will then be recommended for a final interview with a sub-panel of TLAC.
TLAC may then recommend up to 3 names in alphabetical order who, in its judgement, meet the required criteria.
Given the role of TLAC as an independent body to support Government in considering appointments to senior civil service positions, I know that the Deputy will appreciate that I must respect the integrity, confidentiality and independence of the constituent TLAC processes.
In relation to the TLAC competition for the post of Secretary General in the Department of Health, I can confirm to the Deputy that there were a total of 23 applications received for the position. Of the 23 applications received, 20 identified as being Irish nationals and 3 identified as being international. 3 candidates were shortlisted for final consideration under the TLAC process. All 3 shortlisted candidates identified as being Irish.
In this instance, I am informed that the Preliminary Interview Board established by PAS comprised of:
|
Role |
Gender |
Background |
|
Independent Chairperson |
Male |
Non-executive director and Chairperson of a number of companies in the financial services, research, public and private sector. A former CEO of a large state entity and Secretary General of 2 Government Departments during his tenure. |
|
Independent External Board Member |
Female |
A former Permanent Secretary of the UK Department of Health with an extensive career in the UK Civil Service and Health sector. |
|
Secretary General ( or former Secretary General) |
Male |
A former Secretary General and non-executive director of a number of public and private organisations. |
|
Nominee of TLAC |
Male |
External member of TLAC |
I am also informed that the sub-panel of TLAC comprised of:
|
Role |
Gender |
|
Chair of TLAC |
Male |
|
Two external TLAC Members |
Female and Male |
|
Two Secretaries General (serving) |
Female and Male |
104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to protect against social media platforms being used for cyberbullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38563/21]
View answerThe Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Bill will establish a multi-person Media Commission, including an Online Safety Commissioner, dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, establish regulatory frameworks for online safety and the regulation of audiovisual media services, and transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
It will be the role of the Online Safety Commissioner to oversee the regulatory framework for online safety. As part of the framework, the Commissioner will devise binding online safety codes that will set out how regulated online services, including social media services, are expected to deal with certain defined categories of harmful online content on their platforms. The defined categories of harmful online content include criminal material, serious cyberbullying material and material promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.
Under the measures proposed in the Bill, in the event of a failure to comply with a relevant online safety code, and subject to Court approval, the Media Commission will have the power to sanction non-compliant online services, including through financial sanctions of up to €20m or 10% of turnover.
The finalisation of the General Scheme of the OSMR Bill was approved on 8 December 2020. Detailed legal drafting of the Bill by the Office of the Attorney General is at an advanced stage. In addition, pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Bill by the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee is under way.
105. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of pubs and restaurants that applied to the outdoor seating and accessories for tourism and hospitality business scheme in 2021. [38655/21]
View answerI note the Deputy is asking about grants under part one of the overall Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme, which is being delivered in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country. Part One?of the?Scheme (Outdoor Seating and Accessories for Tourism and Hospitality Services) is a grants scheme, supporting investment by individual tourism and hospitality businesses on outdoor seating and accessories and is administered and evaluated by the individual local authorities.
With regard to the Deputy’s request for operational details of applications and grants under this part of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme, I have referred the matter on to Fáilte Ireland for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
106. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of indoor summer camps and indoor summer activities; if they can take place or not under Covid-19 regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39046/21]
View answer113. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can provide exact clarity in relation to the running of summer camps for children, both indoors and outdoors and summer classes for children, both indoors and outdoors (details supplied); if they are allowed to be run; the State body providing advice on this for parents and guardians and those running the classes and camps; the State body that is assigned to monitor compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38356/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 113 together.
On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead, with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.
Details of current public health measures can be found online at gov.ie. Gov.ie provides the current position with respect to summer camps: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/#summer-camps. It provides that summer camps should adhere to public health measures on organised indoor and outdoor activities as appropriate, applying at the time. Currently outdoor camps can go ahead, but indoor camps are not permitted.
The public health measures decided upon by Government are also given effect in regulations made by the Minister for Health under Section 31A of the Health Act of 1937. The current regulations are Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions)(COVID-19)(No.2)(Amendment)(No.5) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 329 of 2021) which set limits on attendances at organised outdoor events and do not provide for any organised indoor events.
My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy responsibility for children and youth, including with respect to play and recreation.
107. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of positions on each board in respect of agencies under the remit of her Department in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting for each agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38188/21]
View answerI can advise the deputy that currently 20 State Boards come under the remit of the Dept. of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the table below outlines the maximum number of positions on each board, the current membership and the number of existing vacancies. Quorums for each of the boards are outlined in the relevant legislation, Articles of Association or Standing Orders, please see appendix I for more information.
Appendix I -
|
State Board |
Direction |
Reference |
|
Arts Council |
The Arts Act 2006 |
16 (6) Subject to subsection (2), the quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be 5. |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
The Broadcasting Act 2009 |
13 (7) The quorum for a meeting of the Authority shall be 5. |
|
BAI Compliance Committee |
The Broadcasting Act 2009 |
13 (9) The quorum for a meeting of the Compliance Committee shall be 5 of which 2 shall be members appointed by the Government under section 8 (6) (a). |
|
BAI Contract Awards Committee |
The Broadcasting Act 2009 |
13 (8) The quorum for a meeting of the Contract Awards Committee shall be 5 of which 2 shall be members appointed by the Government under section 8 (4) (a). |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
Companies Act 1963 - 2003 Under the Articles of Association of the Crawford Art Gallery |
4. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum if members entitled to vote is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business; save as herein otherwise provided, four members present in person shall be a quorum. |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 |
18 (6) The quorum for a meeting of the Authority shall, unless the Minister otherwise directs, be 5. |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
Standing Order for Foras na Gaeilge Board Members |
Standing Order (h) The quorum for a Board Meeting will be one third of Board Members entitled to attend at the whole or any aspect of the meeting. If Board Members have to withdraw from the meeting due to a conflict of interest the quorum therefore is set at one third of those members entitled to continue to participate in the meeting. |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
Companies Act 1963 - 2003 Under the Articles of Association of the Irish Manuscripts Commission Limited |
11. No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business; save as herein otherwise provided, five members present in person shall be a quorum. |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
Companies Act 1963 - 2003 Under the Articles of Association of the Irish Museum of Modern Art |
9. No business shall be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time the meeting proceeds to business save as herein otherwise provided; five members present in person shall be a quorum. |
|
National Concert Hall |
National Cultural Institutions (NCH) Act 2015 |
13 (6) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall be 4. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
National Gallery Act 1854 – Standing orders for NGI Board Members |
5 members are required to conduct ordinary business, while 9 members are required to approve acquisitions of art. |
|
National Library of Ireland |
National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
22 (3) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of the Library shall be 5 or such other greater number as may be determined from time to time by the Board of the Library. |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 |
22 (4) The quorum for a meeting of the Board of the Museum shall be 6 or such other greater number as may be determined from time to time by the Board of the Museum. |
|
RTE |
The Broadcasting Act 2009 |
88 (6) The quorum for a meeting of the board of a corporation shall be 7. |
|
Screen Ireland |
Irish Film Board Act 1980 |
15 (7) The quorum for a meeting of the Board shall, unless the Minister directs otherwise, be three. |
|
Sport Ireland |
Sports Ireland Act 2015 |
5 (2) The quorum for a meeting of Sport Ireland, unless the Minister otherwise directs, shall be 5. |
|
TG4 |
The Broadcasting Act 2009 |
88 (6) The quorum for a meeting of the board of a corporation shall be 7. |
|
Tourism Ireland |
Standing orders for Tourism Ireland Board Members |
not less than 4, of which not less than 2 shall be nominees of each relevant Minister |
|
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
Údaras na Gaeltachta Act 1979 |
10 (2) The quorum for a meeting of an tÚdarás shall be the lowest majority of the number of members of an tÚdarás at the time of the meeting. |
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
Standing orders for Ulster Scots Agency Board Members |
Quorum based on 50%+1 of current membership |
The majority of vacancies on State Boards under the remit of this Department are filled using the established Public Appointments Service (PAS) process. This process is in place since 2014 following a Government decision that PAS should also be given responsibility for putting in place an open, accessible, rigorous and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State Boards. The dedicated website, www.stateboards.ie, is the channel through which the PAS advertises vacancies on State Boards. It is also the means through which accomplished, experienced and qualified people, including people who might not previously have been identified as available for appointment, can apply to be considered for particular vacancies.
You will note from the information below, that a large number of campaigns are being progressed by my Department and PAS to address current and pending vacancies.
|
State Board |
No. Positions |
Total |
Current Vacancies |
Quorum |
Notes |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
12 |
-1 |
5 |
3 |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
9 |
8 |
-1 |
5 |
2 |
|
BAI Compliance Committee |
8 |
7 |
-1 |
5 |
5 |
|
BAI Contract Awards Committee |
8 |
6 |
-2 |
5 |
5 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
12 |
12 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
Fáilte Ireland |
13 |
10 |
-3 |
5 |
3 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
16 |
16 |
0 |
6 |
|
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
20 |
14 |
-6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
12 |
11 |
-1 |
5 |
3 |
|
National Concert Hall |
9 |
8 |
-1 |
4 |
3 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
17 |
16 |
-1 |
5 |
3 |
|
National Library of Ireland |
12 |
6 |
-6 |
5 |
1 |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
16 |
13 |
-3 |
6 |
3 |
|
RTE |
12 |
8 |
-4 |
7 |
4 |
|
Screen Ireland |
7 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
|
|
Sport Ireland |
13 |
9 |
-4 |
5 |
1 |
|
TG4 |
12 |
12 |
0 |
7 |
|
|
Tourism Ireland |
13 |
13 |
0 |
4 |
|
|
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
12 |
12 |
0 |
6 |
|
|
Ulster Scots Agency |
8 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
|
|
Totals |
254 |
220 |
-34 |
1. Appointments pending from a panel of suitable candidates identified through the PAS process;
2. PAS process under way to identify new Chair;
3. PAS campaign in preparation;
4. Vacancies currently being filled on foot of nominations from the Joint Oireachtas Committee;
5. BAI Board nominations to follow appointment of a new Chair.
108. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagement she or the agencies under her remit has had with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months. [38211/21]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question no 304 of 3rd March last and wish to confirm that neither I, nor officials from my Department, have engaged with National Broadband Ireland on any aspect of the provision of broadband services during the period specified by the Deputy. I am further advised that there has been no engagement by those agencies under the Minister's remit with the National Broadband Plan during this period.
109. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are guidelines, written procedures or protocols or key performance indicators for acknowledgement of correspondence received and response to correspondence received, respectively by category of correspondence (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38251/21]
View answerMy Department's Customer Service Charter includes the following commitment:
If you write to us, we will:
Acknowledge correspondence via email where a contact email address has been provided within 3 - 5 working days and issue a formal reply in clear and simple language within 20 working days.
If it is not possible to give a full reply within this period, we will send you an interim reply with an indication of when the matter can be finalised.
Ensure that all of our written replies include the name, address, direct telephone number, email address and any other relevant contact details of the staff member who is responding to your correspondence."
With specific reference to representations received from members of the Oireachtas, my office and that of the Minister of State seek to ensure an immediate acknowledgement of such correspondence with a substantive reply being issued at an early date thereafter.
Where correspondence is received in relation to matters covered by statute such as the Freedom of Information or Data Protection Acts, this is responded to in line with the relevant statutory provisions. Similarly, solicited correspondence in relation to public consultations etc is addressed in line with the particular provisions of the scheme or process in question.
I trust that the above information is of assistance to the Deputy.
110. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the refurbishment works at the National Archives, Dublin are ongoing at present; when the refurbishment works will be completed; and the estimated cost of this project. [38258/21]
View answerThe National Archives Repository project will convert the warehouse at the back of the main Bishop Street building into a secure environmentally controlled repository complying with internationally accepted storage standards while providing an increase of two-thirds in the total storage capacity of the National Archives. Work has already been competed on the removal of archives from the warehouse of the National Archives as well as investigative works and other preparatory works. The project is overseen by the Office of Public Works.
In March, I was delighted to give approval to the Office of Public Works (OPW) to progress the project to contract stage. The total cost of the project is estimated by the OPW at circa. €24 million.
The OPW envisages a 16 month construction period for this project once they award the contract. Following completion of construction, the installation of the shelving would take up to a further 6 months. As the project has been delayed due to COVID-19, it is estimated that the project will now be completed in 2023.
111. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when announcements will be made on the 2020 sports capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38277/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round was finalised earlier this year and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. All applications are being assessed in accordance with this manual. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to fully complete. It is envisaged that allocations for applications for sports equipment- only will be made first during the coming weeks with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year. At least €40 million is being made available for allocation and local and regional allocations will be announced at the same time. As soon as this process is complete all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application.
112. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a deadline has been set to announce recipients of the Sports Capital Funding Programme. [38327/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round was finalised earlier this year and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. All applications are being assessed in accordance with this manual. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to fully complete. It is envisaged that allocations for applications for sports equipment- only will be made first during the coming weeks with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year. At least €40 million is being made available for allocation and local and regional allocations will be announced at the same time. As soon as this process is complete all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application.
114. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to reform the television licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38380/21]
View answerThe 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 independent commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, is tasked with examining the challenges facing the sector and to consider the extent to which the current models of delivery are the appropriate ones for the next 10 years. It is examining how the public service media can be funded in a way that is sustainable, gives greater security of funding, ensures independent editorial oversight and delivers value for money to the public. This includes consideration of the current television licence fee model.
It is expected that the Commission's Report will be completed at the end of July and I look forward to receiving their recommendations which will inform future policy for the media sector, including funding for public service broadcasting.
115. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of the funding distribution from the television licence fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38381/21]
View answerTotal Licence Fee Receipts comprises monies from TV licence sales and exchequer funding from the Department of Social Protection for the operation of the free TV licence Scheme.
Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 makes provision for the disbursement of 7% of the net television licence fee (i.e. total receipts less commission to An Post) to the Broadcasting Fund administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The Broadcasting Fund supports both the Sound and Vision (S&V) and Archiving Schemes.
The balance of net licence fee receipts is paid to RTÉ. The breakdown of funding for 2020 is set out in the table below:
|
2020 |
|
|
Broadcasting Fund |
€14,876,525.02 |
|
RTÉ |
€197,645,260.94 |
|
An Post |
€10,029,834.00 |
|
Total |
€222,551,619.96 |
It is not possible to calculate total receipts and their breakdown for 2021 until year end.
116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38501/21]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which includes the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), is the lead Department responsible for Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, the Implementation of the Public Service ICT Strategy. My Department follows the advice and guidance issued by the OGCIO in respect of this action.
My Department’s main website is part of the shared Gov.ie website which is hosted by the OGCIO. The government is committed to making gov.ie accessible in accordance with S.I. 358/2020. www.gov.ie/en/help/accessibility/
My Department is currently working with third party support vendors in improving accessibility for its other websites.
Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the websites of those bodies under the aegis of my Department in accordance with business needs and relevant statutory requirements is a day-to-day matter for the board and management of each body.
As the deputy is aware the National Disability Authority is the monitoring body for the purposes of the Directive and the Regulations and both my Department and the bodies under its aegis engages with the authority in its monitoring of the compliance of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies with the requirements of these regulations.
117. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38518/21]
View answerOverall responsibility for coordination of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
My Department is represented on the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG) which comprises key government departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders group. It meets quarterly under the chairmanship of Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte T.D. and provides regular reports on the implementation of relevant actions contained in the Strategy coming within the remit of my Department.
Additionally, I am advised that my Department has established a Disability Consultative Committee as recommended under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and will be assigned a representative of the Disability Stakeholders Group in due course.
118. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps her Department is taking to mitigate the impacts of Brexit and Covid-19 restrictions on the tourism sector; the steps she is taking to address the drop in UK visitor numbers in 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38583/21]
View answerI would like to thank the deputy for raising this matter.
The tourism sector has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary public health restrictions introduced to control it. Since my appointment as Minister, I have been fully engaged with stakeholders in seeking to identify and implement supports to ensure the sector’s survival and recovery.
A Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed last year to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan with recommendations on how best the Irish Tourism sector can adapt and recover in a changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis. The taskforce presented its Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-2023 to me on 30th September last. The Plan made a number of recommendations to help tourism businesses to survive, stabilise and recover from the COVID pandemic. It has been a very useful input for me and my colleagues in Government in considering measures to assist the sector and will remain so as we move from survival to recovery.
As recommended in the Tourism Recovery Plan, I appointed a Recovery Oversight Group in December 2020. The group has met eight times to date, most recently on June 30th. It has reported to me twice with regard to the implementation of the Plan and the recovery of the sector. These reports have further informed my thinking, and that of my colleagues in Government, with regard to ongoing measures to support the sector.
I secured €55m in Budget 2021 for Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, three stages of which have now closed for applications. The aim of the Scheme is to assist certain tourism services survive the pandemic and drive recovery. The Scheme will contribute to the fixed costs of identified tourism businesses, which are not eligible for CRSS, to support their survival.
In addition to the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, my Department funded Fáilte Ireland’s delivery of the €10m Coach Tourism Operators Business Continuity Scheme and the €10m Ireland Based Inbound Agents Continuity Scheme in the final quarter of 2020.
During the same period, a total of €26m was provided for Fáilte Ireland’s Covid-19 Adaptation Fund and the tourism agency also administered the €8m Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment. Funding of €5 million has also been provided for upskilling training and to improve digital presence for tourism businesses. The tourism and hospitality sector has also benefited from the VAT reduction to 9%, which will now extend to September 2022.
Tourism businesses have also been supported by horizontal supports and measures such as the CRSS, PUP, EWSS, tax warehousing and the commercial rates waiver, some of which have been enhanced or extended under the recent Economic Recovery Plan.
My Department and Fáilte Ireland continue to monitor and evaluate the business continuity requirements of the tourism sector and I will be announcing further funding calls under the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme in due course.
The Deputy will already be aware that Great Britain has always been one of our most important tourism market, in terms of visitor numbers. Before COVID-19, in 2019, revenue from British visitors was worth over €1 billion to our economy. Unfortunately, the necessary public health measures introduced to control the pandemic have meant that inbound tourism has been decimated and the British market is no different in this respect. Due to the devastating impact of Covid-19, the impact of Brexit on our tourism sector may not become apparent for some time.
Getting inbound international tourism back up and running is vital for the recovery of the sector and the continued economic well-being of this country. Tourism cannot begin to fully recover until we can find a way to safely resume inbound tourism as it accounts for about 75% of the revenue generated by the sector.
The introduction of Digital COVID Certificates by 19 July provides much need clarity to our tourism and hospitality sectors as regards a roadmap for the resumption of international travel. Alignment with the EU’s Digital COVID Certificate regulation will facilitate a gradual and safe resumption of inbound tourism, as well as allowing Tourism Ireland to take appropriate steps to market Ireland in overseas markets.
Tourism Ireland has been actively planning for the restart of international travel and is rolling out a significant promotional kick-start campaign to entice and welcome back overseas visitors. Phase one involved a major digital video campaign, which went live in Great Britain in June. I am aware also that the agency has significant additional activity planned for the second half of this year to stimulate British tourists to return to Ireland and will work with the industry to facilitate this.
119. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter regarding regattas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31593/21]
View answerUnder the current public health regulations, the numbers permitted to attend outdoor organised events such as regattas stands at a maximum of 200 with appropriate protective measures in place such as adherence to social distancing requirements.
It would be appropriate and beneficial for the event organisers concerned to consult the guidelines prepared by a combined working group of the FAI, the IRFU, the GAA and Sport Ireland. These guidelines were designed for use by event organisers, prepared with the assistance of health and safety experts, and describe how spectators can safely be accommodated at sporting events.
These guidelines can be found below:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/513f9-guidelines-for-reopening-sports-grounds/
Further information and advice on the specific operational requirements and protocols in place for the safe return of rowing generally is also available from Rowing Ireland, the National Governing Body for rowing in Ireland.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has also produced the following guidance document: ‘COVID-19 Interim recommendations for sports activities for adults in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic’, which may also be of assistance in preparing for the organisation of regattas.
www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/sportandrecreation/COVID%2019%20Return%20to%20Play%20Sports%20for%20adults.pdf
120. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagements he has had with other Departments in order to ensure that designations under the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 will involve full consultation with farmers. [38632/21]
View answerSince its launch in May 2020, my Department has been in contact with other relevant Departments concerning the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030. The Strategy is an ambitious and far-reaching document which aims to strengthen and improve the protection afforded to habitats and species in the EU, as well as put in place measures to restore nature and begin the process of halting biodiversity loss.
The modalities of protection and implementation of the Strategy across Member States are still under discussion with the European Commission. In this regard, my Department is considering the best means to achieve the targets set out in the Strategy. My officials have already had discussions with the farming representative organisations, as well as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and will continue to do so to ensure that the views of the agricultural sector are fully considered, as discussions on implementation of the Strategy progress.
121. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applications that were received for an annual street furniture licence in 2021; the number that were granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38656/21]
View answerPlanning statistics are compiled by each planning authority on an annual basis for collation and publication on my Department’s website, at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/service/9e4ee-get-planning-statistics/ .
However, the data collected relates to the total number of applications and decisions for all developments that require planning permission, broken down by year and planning authority but does not include information on the number of applications or licences granted for street furniture under section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Such information may be sought directly from the relevant planning authority.
122. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement he or the agencies under his remit has had with the National Broadband Plan in the past two months. [38205/21]
View answerIn the period concerned, my Department officials had engagement on the National Broadband Plan as set out in the table below:
|
Date |
Type of Engagement |
Organisation Engaged |
Details |
|
19 May 2021 |
Meeting |
Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) |
To discuss the National Broadband Plan in the context of 'Housing for All' |
|
14 June 2021 |
Telephone call |
Local Government Management Agency(LGMA) |
To discuss the status of the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) Technical Document on pole locations. |
|
20 May 2021 21 June 2021 30 June 2021 07 July 2021 |
Meetings |
DECC |
To discuss the licensing of telecommunications infrastructure under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. |
My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These State bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas, as set out in the attached table.
|
State Body |
Contact E-mail Address |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce (the Water Forum) |
info@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Ervia |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@ervia.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
publicreps@housingagency.ie |
|
Irish Water |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
corporate@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
info@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Ordnance Survey Ireland |
Oireachtas@osi.ie |
|
Property Registration Authority |
reps@prai.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Valuation Office |
oireachtas.enquiries@VALOFF.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
info@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Water Advisory Body |
info@wab.gov.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org |
123. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there are guidelines, written procedures or protocols or key performance indicators for acknowledgement of correspondence received and response to correspondence received, respectively by category of correspondence (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38245/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing high quality, courteous and timely services to all its customers in accordance with the Government’s 12 Guiding Principles for Quality Customer Service. Details of the Quality Customer Service provided by my Department are at: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/28f3d1-quality-customer-service/.
Save for particular reasons, my Department aims to resolve all queries from the public within 15 working days of their receipt. It reports on its compliance with this target in its annual report.
In addition, my Department has procedures for processing correspondence and representations from Oireachtas members. Responses should be provided within two weeks, unless the issue cannot be addressed within this timeline.
124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social houses built in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the cost of the social housing by unit. [38272/21]
View answerMy Department publishes comprehensive programme level statistics on social housing delivery activity on a quarterly basis. Details on the number of social housing units provided by local authorities in 2020 and Q1 2021 is published on the statistics page of my Department’s website, at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/.
Cost information on the delivery of social homes through the various construction streams, is collated by my Department at development level rather than at individual housing unit level. Disaggregating such development level information into individual unit costs, across all of the various types of units, would require significant analysis on unit characteristics such as size, type, number of bedrooms, site costs, abnormal costs, fees, etc. to derive an accurate reflection of unit cost.
In October 2020, the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, published an ‘Analysis of Social Housing Build Programme’ which examined the social housing build programme over the years 2016 to 2019 and considered issues such as Use of Build Delivery; Type of Units, Cost & Speed of Delivery and Cost Efficiency and Market Interaction. The IGEES analysis noted the range of average costs which highlighted the diversity of costs for delivery of new build units across different developments and locations. The paper is available at the following link: www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/Documents/Budget/Spending%20Review%202020%20-%20Analysis%20of%20Social%20Housing%20Build%20Programme.pdf
