Written Answers Nos. 236-257
236. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reopen or develop a Garda station in County Wicklow (details supplied); if not, if he will consider allowing the use of the premises to a community group in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41857/21]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that An Garda Síochána notified the Office of Public Works (OPW) on the 6th August 2021 that there are no plans to redevelop the Garda station in Ashford, Co. Wicklow. The Garda station has been unoccupied since it was extensively damaged in 2003.
In line with the OPW’s policy for vacant and surplus properties, the Garda station in Ashford will now be prepared for disposal.
The OPW's disposals policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property including the former Garda station in Ashford is to:
Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.
If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
If no State requirement is identified, or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
237. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department was consulted in relation to and or approved payments, expenses and or other benefits including pension terms for a person (details supplied) for any work or roles undertaken on behalf of the Government or any of its agencies; if so, the timeframe, amounts and allowances involved in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41910/21]
View answerNo request for expenditure approval was received by my Department in relation to either the role of UN special envoy or the person identified. In general, staffing matters are managed by Departments within overall expenditure ceilings.
In the normal course of events, my Department is available to assist other Departments with the range of technical queries that can often arise with many individual posts including the position of Special Envoy. In this case there was contact from the Department of Foreign Affairs on 26 July requesting clarifications on pension issues. These queries were subsequently withdrawn.
238. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41958/21]
View answer248. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to facilitate remote working within his Department in particular to encourage remote working for those who live in the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42712/21]
View answer249. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42762/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 248 and 249 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that Government Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies, including by my own Department, that are tailored to the specific requirements of each Department / Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) has enabled the staff of my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, to work from home since March 2020, through the sourcing, procurement and supporting of laptops and software licences. Since the pandemic began, my Department had spent €250,000 moving staff to remote working which has enabled my Department to remain fully operational. The cost associated with the Office of Government Procurement is €197,000. The Deputy should note that a portion of these costs would have been spent through the natural IT infrastructure replacement of PCs and laptops.
There is no process currently in place in my Department or the bodies under the aegis of my Department that provide staff members to apply to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis. However, this process is being developed presently and will be available to staff, including those living in regional areas, in the coming months.
The requested costs in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
|
Public Body |
Associated Remote Working costs to date |
|
Office of Public Works (OPW) |
€795,000 |
|
National Shared Services Office (NSSO) |
€729,960 |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
€163,977 |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
€175,500 |
|
State Laboratory |
€30,880 |
|
Office of the National Lottery Regulator |
€16,100 |
239. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are plans to make Athlone Garda station wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42000/21]
View answerThe refurbishment and extension works to Athlone Garda Station have been designed to make it wheelchair accessible which meets best practice accessibility provision and complies with the current Building Regulations.
240. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a person who was a member of the Defence Forces can carry their Army service into the Civil Service for pension purposes if they take up a position in the Civil Service; if so, the arrangements that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42003/21]
View answerA scheme for the transfer of pensionable service between the pre-existing (pre-2013) pension schemes of certain public sector bodies is facilitated by way of the Public Sector Transfer Network (PSTN).
That scheme has its origins in section 4 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act 1963, which provides that a person who is employed in a pensionable capacity in an “approved organisation”, may transfer pensionable service from one approved organisation to another. Collectively, these approved organisations make up the PSTN. The rules governing transfer of service in pre-existing public service pension schemes are primarily set out in a Department of Finance Letter to Personnel Officers (24 April 1979) - ‘Draft Transfer Scheme’ and also in a Letter to Personnel Officers (30 January 1981) - ‘Transfer of Service for Superannuation Purposes’.
For a transfer of pensionable service to be permitted, both bodies are required to be members of the PSTN and the eligibility criteria set out in the 1979 transfer scheme must be met. I can confirm that both the Civil Service and Defence Forces are members of the PSTN. Applications for transfers of service should be directed to the HR or pension administration section of the individual’s employer, who are best placed to advise on whether the relevant eligibility criteria are met and a transfer of service is permissible.
Please note that transfers of pensionable service can only take place between pre-existing pension schemes. The Single Scheme does not operate on the basis of “pensionable service” and is therefore not covered by the PSTN. The transfer provisions of that scheme relate to money amounts and are set out in DPER Circular 15/2019.
241. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs incurred by the Office of Public Works in completing the scaffolding enabling investigative and entablature repairs works to the Four Courts dome that was completed by the end of July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42029/21]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has undertaken an extensive programme of investigation, assessment and repairs to the Four Courts dome structure, including the dome, the decorative and supporting stone entablature and the capitals. It was necessary to have appropriate scaffolding in place to facilitate access, investigation, testing, analysis, assessment and for undertaking works safely both internally and externally. The programme of works to the Four Courts dome includes:
- Repair/replacement of metal framing and fixing for the lathe and plaster dome ceiling
- Examination of the concrete dome and carry out necessary remediation work
- New lining to gutter at the base of the dome
- Installation of health and safety access system to dome gutters (incl fall arrest system) for future maintenance
- Replacement of lightning protection
- Assessment and repairs to entablature stonework
- Investigate, repair and/or replacement of stone capitals
- Investigate, assess and repair/replace the steel angle to circumference immediately over the capitals
The external scaffolding, that facilitated these works, is scheduled to be fully dismantled by end September 2021.
The total sum of expenditure, to date, on these works is €5,249,233.
Arising from the investigation and assessment works that have been undertaken, preparation of plans is underway in respect of proposed further works mainly on the stone capitals and steel angle to circumference.
242. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are plans to reverse the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, cuts to the fees of barristers contracted by the State to defend and prosecute criminal law matters; if he plans to meet with representatives to discuss this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42030/21]
View answerI fully acknowledge and appreciate the very important work undertaken by barristers who prosecute criminal work on behalf of the State and my Department has engaged constructively with key stakeholders including the Bar Council of Ireland, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in relation to this matter. In particular it has sought evidence to support any claims that the reductions imposed are linked to significant recruitment and retention issues, thereby potentially adversely impacting the administration of justice.
While my Department has not yet been provided with evidential data to support such claims, it remains available to review any further information that may be provided.
My Department has also sought advices from the Attorney General's Office as to whether the State has an obligation in relation to these professional fees. My Department will continue to keep this issue under review and engage with key stakeholders, as appropriate.
243. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made on implementing the key recommendation from the 2020 Building Innovation Report to establish and fund a build digital centre of excellence to promote the use of building information modelling in the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42143/21]
View answerThe Build Digital Project aims to ensure that world class digital practices, which already exist in certain elements of the Irish construction sector, are adopted throughout the industry and supply chain in order to achieve a more innovative sector from top to bottom. The project will provide guidance and leadership on the necessary digital tools, standards, approaches and training required by all across the construction sector, in particular the small- and medium-sized firms who may have yet to realise the full benefits of digital approaches.
The grant for Build Digital is being administered by my Department. In December 2020, as part of that process, a competitive, challenge-based grant call was launched which invited bidders to deliver the Build Digital Project with up to €2.5 million in public funding over the next five years.
The preferred bidder was chosen in April 2021 with the official launch of the project planned to take place in Autumn 2021.
244. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration is being given to making the use of building information modelling mandatory in public procurement construction contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42144/21]
View answerBuilding Information Modelling (BIM) has the potential to transform the processes surrounding project and data management on construction projects and can drive significant efficiencies. It offers industry the opportunity to rationalise its working methods, reduce waste and explore opportunities for off-site production. These all contribute to a leaner and safer project delivery making the industry a more attractive proposition from an investment and recruitment perspective. For clients it can transform both the construction and operational phases delivering greater project certainty.
In July 2017 the Government approved a high-level strategy for the adoption of BIM on public sector construction projects to ensure a consistent and coherent approach to the application of BIM across the public sector. The timing of any mandatory requirements for BIM adoption on public works projects is considered to be dependent on the level of supports available to both clients and industry to mitigate the disruption to project delivery that accompanies digital transition in any sector.
The National BIM Council’s ‘Roadmap to Digital Transition’ published in December 2017 highlighted the dependencies on the journey to digital transition including standards, training and procurement.
Since the development of the strategy in 2017 the International Organisation Standards (ISO) has published a range of standards for BIM. The National Standards Authority of Ireland, through the work of its BIM mirror group, has developed the important national annexes that sit under the ISO standard to enable a consistent approach to the delivery of BIM in Ireland and for Irish businesses compete in a worldwide market.
Innovation and digital adoption have been highlighted as key to improving productivity by the Construction Sector Group (CSG) in their report ‘Building Innovation’ published in June 2020. A range of actions were identified in the report which are aimed at driving digital adoption in the sector.
The CSG established the Innovation and Digital Adoption Sub-Group to implement the actions and one of the key enablers of digital adoption is the implementation of the Build Digital Project. In December 2020 my department launched a competitive challenge-based grant call to deliver the Build Digital Project for the Construction Sector in 2021. The process has almost concluded and an announcement on the organisation that will establish the Build Digital Project will be announced shortly.
Once the Build Digital Project is established an implementation strategy for a phased adoption of BIM on public works projects will be published. The strategy will recognise the varying BIM skills that currently exist and will introduce a steadily increasing demand for BIM delivery to enable industry to upskill and recruit the necessary resources. BIM will be phased into public works projects over a four-year period commencing with the large-scale projects initially as the larger technical consultancies and contractors already have the capacity to deliver BIM.
245. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of each commission of investigation under the remit of his Department over the preceding decade. [42150/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has not been responsible for the setting up of any Commission of Investigation since its establishment in 2011.
247. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on an issue (details supplied) in relation to a premises for a community employment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42684/21]
View answerI have been advised by officials at my department that Kilgarvan Community Development CLG, which operates the CE scheme, has recently been granted a two year licence for the use of the former Garda station, and they have indicated they are happy with the arrangement.
I understand they were previously offered the use of a room on the ground floor of the Community Centre (former National school) but deemed it unsuitable.
The lease on the Community Centre is currently the subject of a query with the Chief State Solicitors Office and my officials expect to have an update on this shortly.
Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 238.
250. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the completion of the flood relief scheme in Bantry, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42800/21]
View answer251. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the completion of the flood relief scheme in Skibbereen County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42801/21]
View answer252. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the completion of the flood relief scheme in Bandon, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42802/21]
View answer253. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the completion of the flood relief scheme in Clonakilty, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42803/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 to 253, inclusive, together.
Bantry:
The Flood Risk Management Plans launched in May 2018 included a recommendation to progress the project-level development and planning of a flood relief scheme for Bantry. A Steering Group, comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works and Cork County Council, is in place to progress the Bantry Flood Relief Scheme. The Plans, with outline design of possible measures, estimated a preliminary Total Project Cost of €6.7m for the scheme, which will protect some 198 properties.
On 11th March 2021 Cork County Council, as the Sponsoring Authority and in partnership with the OPW issued the tender documentation for the procurement of Engineering Consultants via www.etenders.gov.ie. Tenders were returned on 30th July 2021 and are currently being assessed.
Once consultants are appointed to progress the Flood Relief Scheme for Bantry, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, as well as the public, will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of this scheme. In the meantime, Cork County Council has engaged a contractor to treat some of the invasive species in preparation for a flood relief scheme for the town.
The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi-annual capital allocation.
Cork County Council has also commenced the preparation of the consultants brief to carry out the repair and re-construction of the Main Street Culvert, which has been identified as a significant element contributing to flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square in recent months. The OPW is liaising with Cork County Council on the integration of these works with the flood relief scheme for the town.
In March 2021, an application under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for interim works to mitigate flooding in Bantry, which includes installation of non-return valves and provision of mobile pumps, was submitted to the OPW by Cork County Council. Further information was requested from the Council to facilitate full consideration of the proposal. This information has now been received. The OPW are currently reviewing the application and a decision is expected to issue in the coming weeks.
In addition to the above proposals, prior to forecasted extreme weather events, local area staff from Cork County Council are implementing interim measures to assist mitigate flooding, such as deployment of sandbags at Sands Quay and mobile pumping.
Skibbereen:
The Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme was substantially completed on 6th June 2019. All identified defects arising from the construction have been remedied, with some delays as a result of Covid-19.
Planning for the operation and maintenance of the scheme is ongoing in conjunction with Cork County Council, who will act as agents of the OPW in carrying out the statutory operation and maintenance of the scheme. A small number of works to address elements identified during construction, which were outside the main construction contract, remain to be completed and are being progressed in separate works packages.
In addition, some drainage works on Cork Road, which fall outside the remit of the main Scheme, have subsequently been identified as being necessary. Detailed assessments are currently being progressed by Cork County Council and consultants RPS, in conjunction with the OPW and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), to identify the most effective solution. While work is currently ongoing on the development of a solution, the Council is not yet in a position to confirm the programme times in relation to planning approvals and construction.
Following the flood event, which occurred in August, 2020 in the Rossa Road area, Cork County Council and its consultants have been undertaking assessments of the problem and these assessments are progressing. The OPW is providing funding under the Minor Works & Flood Mitigation Scheme towards these works, which involve the upgrade of the Rossa Road culvert trash screen and inlet chamber. Some discussions have taken place with a local landowner with a view to completing some remedial/improvement works. Any further works can only be progressed once the required reports are completed.
Bandon:
The Bandon Flood Relief Scheme was substantially completed on 16th October 2020.
A number of additional minor items are still planned to be completed, such as fencing, railings and conservation works to Bandon Bridge.
Work is ongoing on preparing the operation and maintenance plans for the scheme and it is envisaged that the maintenance and operation of the scheme will be carried out for and on behalf of the OPW by Cork County Council.
As part of the completed Bandon flood relief scheme, the Office of Public Works installed a large ‘rock-ramp’ fish pass in the Bandon River, measuring some 130m, in October 2018.The fish pass was designed by international experts, with input from national experts in the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLH), along with Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
In March 2021, the OPW became aware that the boulders, rock and gravel material that formed the bed of the ramp had deteriorated, possibly as a result of extreme flows in the river in February 2021. The OPW immediately carried out inspections, accompanied by IFI representatives and the fisheries’ specialist on the Project which identified serious deterioration of the rock and gravel bed materials used in the construction of the fish pass, over its full length. Of immediate concern was the erosion of bed material at the upstream end of the fish pass, which had resulted in the retaining wall, originally constructed below the bed level of the pass, becoming exposed and creating a ‘step’ up from the bed level immediately downstream of it, which was creating serious difficulties for various aquatic species in migrating over this newly exposed ‘step’ at the upstream end of the fish pass, particularly in low flows.
The OPW and IFI agreed that urgent measures were required to alleviate this problem, which, following all appropriate assessments and approvals, were carried out successfully.
While these emergency works were critical in solving the immediate problem, an investigation into the reasons for the deterioration of the bed material on the fish pass is ongoing and a longer term solution will be developed with a view to fully rectifying the issue with the carrying out of any necessary works when the investigations are completed.
Clonakilty:
The Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme undertaken by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Cork County Council was substantially completed on 4th February 2021 by the main contractor, Ward and Burke Ltd and now provides protection to 296 properties.
A number of works to address outstanding items and snags to be completed by the contractor are currently ongoing.
Planning for the operation and maintenance of the scheme is ongoing in conjunction with Cork County Council, who will act as agents of the OPW in carrying out the statutory operation and maintenance of the scheme.
Question No. 251 answered with Question No. 250.
Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 250.
Question No. 253 answered with Question No. 250.
254. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the overall amount of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund for Ireland; the percentage of this to be allocated to the seafood sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42827/21]
View answerIreland is expected to receive a total allocation of €1.065 billion in 2018 prices (equivalent to €1.165 billion in current prices) from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), comprised of €991 million in pre-financing, and a further €74 million in 2025. Expenditure under the Reserve must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The eligibility period for the Reserve runs from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023.
The BAR Regulation requires that a minimum amount must be ring-fenced to support the fisheries sector, although that amount may be exceeded. For Ireland, the minimum amount that must be ring-fenced is €56 million (2018 prices). Details of BAR expenditure will announced in due course.
255. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department approved the expenditure associated with the role of government UN Special Envoy on Freedom of Expression proposed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the details of any communications between his Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in regard to this post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42831/21]
View answerNo request for expenditure approval was received by this Department in relation to either the role of UN special envoy or the person identified. In general, staffing matters are managed by Departments within overall expenditure ceilings.
In the normal course of events, my Department is available to assist other Departments with the range of technical queries that can often arise with many individual posts including the position of Special Envoy. In this case there was contact from the Department of Foreign Affairs on 26 July requesting clarifications on pension issues. These queries were subsequently withdrawn.
256. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Ministerial phones have been hacked or attempted to be hacked during the term of office. [42930/21]
View answer257. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has ever used his personal phones for Government business; and if so, if the personal phones have been hacked during his term of office. [42948/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.
I can confirm that there is no evidence to indicate that my ministerial mobile phone has been compromised or of any attempts to hack this phone.
I occasionally use my personal phone in the course of my official duties and the above position also applies to this phone during my term of office.
Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 256.
