Written Answers Nos. 216-235
216. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests responded to by his Department in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of responses that included documents related to text messages and other phone message communications such as messages sent through an application (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42964/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department supplies annual statistics in relation to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests which are granted and part granted to the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC). The OIC publishes this information online. Annual reports can be found on the OIC website through the following link: www.oic.ie/publications/annual-reports/.
My Department does not retain statistics concerning the source, or classification of individual records contained in the decisions of FOI requests.
However, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department publishes a Disclosure Log of FOI requests processed in each quarter and my Department's Disclosure Logs are available through the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/19fcb4-foi-decisions/.
Furthermore, the following table outlines the amount of FOI decisions granted and part granted by my Department in the period from 2016 to date.
|
Year |
Total Requests Received |
Granted |
Part Granted |
|
2016 |
405 |
91 |
162 |
|
2017 |
406 |
72 |
150 |
|
2018 |
384 |
40 |
183 |
|
2019 |
425 |
45 |
193 |
|
2020 |
274 |
27 |
127 |
|
2021 – to date |
174 |
13 |
66 |
217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the advice he can provide on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42979/21]
View answerThe Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), which is provided by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2020, was introduced to support businesses (companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships) significantly affected by restrictions introduced by the Government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The CRSS operates on a self-assessment basis, and claimants are required to satisfy themselves that they are correctly eligible for the scheme before registering to receive payments. Claimants are also required to review their continued eligibility for the scheme before making a claim for payment in respect of each subsequent claim period.
To qualify for the CRSS, a business must operate from a business premises located in a region that is subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Government’s Living with COVID-19 Plan, requiring it to prohibit or considerably restrict customers from accessing its premises. It is not sufficient that a business experiences a reduction in demand for its services or a reduced footfall because of Covid-19 measures. For example, dry cleaning and laundry businesses were not required to restrict customer access under the public health measures and as such do not qualify for the CRSS, even if service demand is reduced. Such businesses may however qualify for the other support schemes introduced to support them during the pandemic.
I am advised by Revenue that the business in question operates a dry-cleaning service and incorrectly claimed and received CRSS payments to which it was not entitled, which must be repaid in due course. Revenue has also confirmed that it accepts that the business genuinely believed that it qualified for the scheme and that repayment of the amount owed as a single payment could cause it financial difficulties. To avoid such a scenario to the greatest extent possible, Revenue will engage directly with the business to agree a suitable payment solution, including the possibility of adding the amount owed to its current warehoused debt under the Debt Warehousing Scheme, even though that scheme does not specifically provide for CRSS related liabilities.
The company may be also eligible to register for the new Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS), which is an additional support for businesses with reduced turnover due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Further details on the BRSS, which is now operational, are available on the Revenue website.
Finally, Revenue has confirmed that in addition to receiving financial support through the Debt Warehousing Scheme, the Business is also receiving payments under the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
218. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Finance the cost of each commission of investigation under the remit of his Department over the preceding decade. [42992/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that there have not been any commissions of investigation under the remit of my Department over the preceding decade.
219. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance the number of formal and informal roles held by a person (details supplied) in the name of his Department or associated agency in the lifetime of this Government; when the person was appointed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43037/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the named individual has not held any formal or informal roles in the name of my Department, or any of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, during the lifetime of this Government.
220. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out research to examine the revenue raised by other states from the issuing of personalised number plates and vehicle registration plates; and if he has plans to introduce such a system here. [43054/21]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the specification for the identification mark (the “registration plate”) that must be displayed on all vehicles is contained in the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations, 1992 (S.I. No. 318 of 1992). These Regulations do not permit personalised registration plates.
The existing identification mark is integral to the operations of a number of agencies apart from Revenue, including An Garda Síochána, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, the Road Safety Authority and the National Roads Authority. Any change to the existing specification could only be undertaken after an assessment of the impact of such changes, including in relation to the systems and other changes that would be required.
There is provision that the Commissioners may assign to a vehicle a registration number reserved by the owner on payment of a fee of €1,000, but this registration number must also comply with the format prescribed in S.I. No. 318 of 1992. Apart from this facility to reserve a registration number, there is no scope within the current legislation to provide for a personalised number scheme. This issue has been raised a number of times over the years but the systems development required, including to registration plate recognition systems, would be likely to far outweigh the potential benefits to the Exchequer.
I am advised by Revenue that there are no plans to undertake such a review.
221. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he and or his special advisers and-or officials use or have used services (details supplied) to communicate in the past 18 months. [43071/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I use Signal in my capacity as President of Eurogroup. An account was created following my election as President of Eurogroup, in line with a general recommendation on the use of messaging services by EU institutions.
Neither of my advisers have utilised either service.
222. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected cost of extending the employment wage subsidy scheme in its current form until 31 March 2022 and 30 June 2022, respectively. [43168/21]
View answerI am informed that, on an indicative basis and assuming that all other elements remain broadly equal, it is estimated very roughly that the cost of extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme in its current form would be of the order of €1.4 billion per quarter for each full quarter out to end-June 2022.
223. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the projected cost of extending the employment wage subsidy scheme in its current form until 31 March 2022 and then from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022 with eligibility criteria amended such that businesses qualify in circumstances in which they have experienced a 50% reduction in turnover in the relevant period and reduced rates as in a table (details supplied). [43169/21]
View answerI am informed that, on an indicative basis and assuming that all other elements remain broadly equal, it estimated very roughly that the cost of extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme in its current form would be of the order of €1.4 billion per quarter for Q4, 2021 and Q1, 2022.
I am further informed that extending the scheme in Q2, 2022 using the rate structure outlined in the correspondence provided by the Deputy is very roughly estimated to cost of the order of €1 billion for the quarter. However, this estimate is provided on the basis that, with the exception of the reduced rates, all other elements of the scheme remain broadly the same.
It is not possible to estimate even indicatively the impact which a change in turnover criteria as outlined by the Deputy would have on the above rough estimate for Q2, 2022. The reason for this is that employers are not required to report their turnover reduction to Revenue to avail of EWSS. As such, no turnover data are held that would enable the impact to be quantified in cost terms.
227. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been afforded to increasing the fishers' tax credit and the seafarers' allowance for crewmen to incentivise more workers into the industry; if consideration has been afforded to further tax incentives for crewmen on Irish fishing vessels to address worker shortages within the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43191/21]
View answerSection 472B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the Seafarers' Allowance and section 472BA provides for the Fisher Tax Credit. The incentives are intended to support those working in the commercial maritime sector.
The Seafarers' Allowance provides an allowance of €6,350 to individuals working in the shipping transport sector. It is an approved EU State Aid that is available under EU Community Guidelines on State Aid to Maritime Transport. Fishing activities are specifically excluded in these guidelines, therefore it is not possible to extend the Seafarers Allowance to fishers.
The Fisher Tax Credit is aimed at assisting the viability of the fishing sector and at attracting and retaining workers in the industry. The tax credit is worth €1,270 and applies to qualifying fishers who spend at least 80 days per year engaged in sea-fishing. The credit will act to shelter up to €6,350 of income from taxation, which is similar in value to the allowance provided under the seafarer’s exemption.
In relation to the question of increasing these reliefs, or introducing further tax incentives, these are matters that would fall to be considered by Government in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill cycle.
In addition, proposals for tax expenditure measures are generally assessed in accordance with my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines.
However, I have no plans at the present time to introduce measures along the lines mentioned by the Deputy.
228. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the planned changes regarding SIPO rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41443/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, this Government made a commitment in the 2020 Programme for Government to “reform and consolidate the Ethics in Public Office legislation”, which is the statutory basis for the operations of the Standards in Public Office - SIPO.
To progress this commitment, the Government has recently agreed to a review of the Ethics Acts which my Department will undertake and which will inform legislative proposals for reform that I intend to bring forward next year. I expect this review to be finalised by end 2021.
In addition, my Department recently concluded an extensive review of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, which is also administered by SIPO. In July, the Government agreed to the preparation of a General Scheme to amend the Act. The amendments to the Act will build on the existing strong legislative foundation and further strengthen Ireland’s lobbying laws. In particular, the purpose of the amendments will be to:
- Improve the operation and functionality of the Lobbying Register;
- Strengthen the existing legislation and its enforcement;
- Make failure to comply with the post-term employment restrictions set out in section 22 of the Act a relevant contravention and offence under the Act.
Work on drafting this General Scheme has commenced in my Department and it is my intention to bring a finalised General Scheme to Government over the coming months.
229. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has plans for refurbishment works at any Garda stations within the J or R Districts over the next six months; and if so, the nature of such works. [41456/21]
View answerI can confirm that The Office of Public Works (OPW) have plans to carry out refurbishment works to the Garda Stations within the J and R Districts, the details of which are outlined in the following table. The table include works funded by both the OPW and An Garda Síochána and the commencement of these works is subject to successful tendering process.
In addition to the works in the table, the OPW continues to provide ongoing maintenance to all the Garda stations in the J and R Districts as required.
|
Garda Station |
Nature of Works |
|
Coolock GS |
Canteen Refurbishment, internal painting, new flooring and fire doors upgrade. |
|
Malahide GS |
Maintenance works to the roof and external painting of the station |
|
Swords GS |
Discussions are underway in relation to the Car park layout - the works will be subject to planning and may not proceed within the next six months. |
|
Howth GS |
Currently planning Universal Access works for the station. |
|
Clontarf GS |
Repointing of boundary wall and general repairs to outhouses. |
230. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will introduce a public sector email provider here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41555/21]
View answerI do not plan to introduce a specific public sector email provider, as there are many free commercial offerings the public can use. However, in February of this year, I did announce the introduction of a State Digital Postbox, where individuals can, if they choose, receive their letters, documents, certificates and other messages from Government online.
231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition relating to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41599/21]
View answerAs 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 which was launched in May 2021.
The Public Appointments Services (PAS), which is a body under the aegis of my Department, is the principal recruiter for the Civil Service. PAS plays a central role in attracting a diverse range of talented people from all backgrounds to take up employment opportunities in 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 several non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Officials from my Department and from 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 (NDA) under Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. At the end of 2019, 5.1% of civil servants self-declared as having a disability. Returns have recently been collated from all Civil Service bodies for 2020 to inform the preparation of the Part 5 Disability Monitoring Report for the Public Service that is prepared by the NDA for publication on its website.
There are many positive examples under CES of how my Department, working alongside key stakeholders in the Civil Service including PAS, has been involved in promoting civil service employment pathways for persons with a disability. These include the following:
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.
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. It is facilitated by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service in collaboration with two sponsor organisations, KARE and WALK. The goal of the Programme is to provide trainees with the skills, knowledge and ability to gain meaningful employment via the unique opportunity to gain practical work experience, as well as accredited learning over an 11 month period. Over a quarter of the initial OWL interns have since gone on to secure permanent civil service employment through confined competitions.
In terms of civil servants based in my own Department, the HR Unit developed the People@PER 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. 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 induction of new hires includes a presentation and Q&A session with the DLO.
In September 2020, I published a State Bodies Code of Practice Annex of Gender Balance, Diversity & Inclusion. This requires the Chairperson of each board to submit a comprehensive report to the relevant Minister each year that must set out progress in addressing gender, equality and diversity issues.
In terms of bodies under my aegis, all have appointed Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) and have proactively made available work placement opportunities for participants on the WAM and OWL programmes, with a number of these being converted to permanent positions. Embedding diversity and inclusion with each body is a core focus of the respective Management Boards with key ED&I initiatives reflected in existing local HR strategies or those being developed by bodies, such as the EMPOWER People Strategy in the case of the Office of Government Procurement.
I am committed to ensuring that we continue to build a diverse Civil Service that is reflective of the modern Ireland that we serve.
232. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide all documentation and engagement the OPW has had with the local authority and any other entity, private or public, following weather events in February 2021 (details supplied). [41616/21]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is not in a position to provide the documentation as requested by the Deputy in this format but can provide the following update on developments since the flood event in Fermoy in February.
The Fermoy North flood defence scheme construction commenced in 2009 and was completed in 2011. The Scheme comprises grass embankments, permanent walls and demountable flood barriers and pumping stations and is designed to protect 77 properties on the north side of Fermoy against the 1-in-100-year flood event. Damages avoided in such an event in are in the order of €18m.
Cork Co. Council carries out the operation and maintenance of the Fermoy North scheme on behalf of OPW, the Contracting Authority. An OPW-developed Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), which is used for both the towns of Fermoy and Mallow, is operated by Cork County Council staff in Mallow. Upon receipt of a flood warning, Local Authority staff erect the substantial demountable defences on the completed scheme on the north side.
The flood event which occurred in Fermoy on the night of 22 and morning of 23 February led to three properties flooding on Brian Ború Square and flooding in the Town Park area, although no properties flooded there.
Cork County Council, in conjunction with OPW, have been investigating the possible cause or causes which led to the February flood event, including investigations regarding the functioning of the pumping stations, at both Rathealy Road, and the Western Embankment.
Currently a specialist is engaged to provide a full comprehensive diagnostic analysis of both Fermoy North pumping stations. This analysis will aim to determine what occurred in February and to establish if all the original pumping systems are functioning correctly (as designed), and if not to provide appropriate recommendations to rectify any outstanding issues.
In the interim, Cork Co. Council and OPW have put in measures to prevent an event such as February happening again and following completion of the investigations will carry out any required works to remedy any outstanding issues.
233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an environmental impact assessment was undertaken in respect of the Lough Funshinagh flood scheme; if planning permission was obtained for this project and if the project was put to tender. [41694/21]
View answerRoscommon County Council had taken the decision to proceed with urgent works in response to high water levels at Lough Funshinagh under the provisions contained in the Local Authorities (Works) Act 1949. As the responsibility for environmental assessments and planning lies with the Council, I have asked Roscommon County Council to contact you directly.
234. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost for a new ombudsman for older persons. [41765/21]
View answerThe Government has no plans at this point to establish an ombudsman for older persons. It would fall to the relevant Minister with responsibility for policy regarding older persons to consider and to bring forward such a proposal. The costs related to such an establishment would be estimated at that time. I would like to point out to the Deputy that older persons are entitled to use the services of all existing Ombudsman offices for any complaint regarding the manner in which public services are provided.
235. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in 2021 to install benches in an area (details supplied); and if no plans for the installation of benches is being considered, he will commit to carrying out an evaluation and-or survey regarding their requirement from regular users of the facility. [41848/21]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has attempted to ensure good provision of benches and seating at Castletown Estate in recent years, however, all previous efforts to install benches in the Castletown demesne were abandoned due to repeated acts of vandalism.
Please be advised that local management continues to seek to address this issue and is examining the possibility of installing benches in areas where they would be less vulnerable to anti-social behaviour.
