Written Answers Nos. 211-237
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the reason some institutions based outside Ireland but within the EU persist in referring to this jurisdiction as a tax haven; the action he can take to address and rebut such an allegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45158/21]
View answerMeasured by any objective international criterion, Ireland cannot be defined as a tax haven.
Ireland’s corporate tax policy, and broader industrial strategy, has consistently focused on attracting real and substantive investment that brings jobs. Our competitive but fair corporation tax rate is just one small part of the story. This complements our highly educated workforce, making Ireland an attractive EU base for businesses.
I am aware of a recent publication carried out by a research laboratory which has referred to seventeen jurisdictions, including Ireland, as tax havens used by European banks. I do not accept the label attributed to Ireland and would question the unique methodology used to arrive at this position.
The paper indicates that the identification of countries in the tax haven list relies on two parameters. Firstly, country-specific profit per employee of the banks in question with a focus on jurisdictions with high profit per employee. Secondly, a country-specific effective tax rate is used, to measure the tax rate applied on profits. An arbitrary 20% of countries with highest profits per employee is coupled with an arbitrary effective tax rate of lower than 15%.
Given our headline rate of corporation tax is a low but substantial rate of 12.5% it would appear to make Ireland, or indeed anyone with a rate of 15% or below, the target of such an arbitrary list of tax havens.
I believe that small countries, and Ireland is one of them, need to be able to use tax policy as a legitimate lever to compensate for advantages of scale, location, resources, industrial heritage and the real, material and persistent advantage enjoyed by larger countries.
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he remains satisfied that Ireland’s political disadvantage on the periphery of Europe does not emerge in the future in the form of a disadvantage resulting in lack of confidence or lack of inward investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45159/21]
View answer214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance his views on the way the economy is progressing and is comparable to other EU economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45160/21]
View answer228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied with Ireland’s ability to compete with any new competitors which might pose a threat to Ireland’s economic viability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45266/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 214 and 228 together.
Ireland’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis is now underway. Strong growth in the domestic economy was recorded in the second quarter of this year and domestic economic activity surpassed its pre-pandemic level for the first time since the start of the crisis.
The global economy experienced the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic in a reasonably symmetric way and a strong but uneven recovery is now anticipated. As in Ireland, the improving health situation and continued easing of public health restrictions in the European Union has put EU economies back in motion. In July, the European Commission projected growth of 4.8 per cent for the EU in 2021. This is broadly in line with expectations for the domestic economic recovery.
The expected rebound in the EU and globally creates a supportive external environment for Ireland’s exports in the coming years. The multinational sector in Ireland proved resilient throughout the crisis and is expected to continue performing strongly into the future. The outlook for Irish indigenous exports is also brighter in light of strengthening global demand, although Brexit is expected to have a strong impact on indigenous exports from next year. The Irish modified current account, which strips out the effects of globalisation, is expected to remain in surplus in the medium term.
Ireland provides an attractive location for FDI, with our talented and flexible workforce, our hard-won reputation as a pro-enterprise jurisdiction, and our successful record as home for global business. Evidence such as the IDA’s FDI results for 2020 suggests that foreign companies continue to value our FDI strengths.
Despite the positive outlook, risks to the international recovery continue to exist. As a small open economy, Ireland is particularly exposed to these external risks and my Department continues to monitor them closely.
215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he has studied the report of the National Fiscal Advisory Council; if any particular action needs to be taken in the wake of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45161/21]
View answerI broadly concur with much of the assessment of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council in their pre-budget submission and I welcome their advice.
As the document outlines, all indicators are that the economy is recovering strongly, and that we are in a much more favourable position than we were at this time last year. The vaccination programme has been extremely successful allowing the economy to return to some level of normality. That said, there will, of course, be long-term impacts from the pandemic, particularly in terms of employment.
A number of key issues were outlined in the report.
Firstly, the Fiscal Council emphasised the need to address structural fiscal challenges.
The Summer Economic Statement set out a medium-term budgetary strategy which seeks to address this issue. Through the introduction of an expenditure rule, public expenditure will be fixed to the trend growth rate of the economy. Such an approach enhances fiscal sustainability while allowing investment in key government priorities, particularly capital investment. I note, in particular, the Fiscal Council’s view that the expenditure plans are at the limit of what is prudent. I agree with this assessment, and that is why the Government introduced expenditure ceilings that will apply irrespective of revenue performance.
Secondly, the Council raise the issue of the high level of public debt. I agree that the level of public debt needs to first stabilise, and then fall. At almost a quarter of a trillion euro, it is among the highest in the developed world. That is why the budgetary strategy set out in the Summer Economic Statement seeks to reduce the deficit to 1.5 per cent of GDP by the mid-part of this decade. By reducing the deficit, we will stabilise the debt to income ratio.
216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he remains satisfied that the taxation system in Ireland is sufficiently broadly based to avoid dependency on any one sector to such an extent that it might become a threat to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45162/21]
View answerMy Department has developed the Annual Taxation Report in order to provide a long-term, strategic perspective on the evolution of taxation receipts since the financial crisis. This allows for the sustainability of tax revenues to be actively monitored so as to minimise fiscal vulnerabilities.
The most recent Report, published in August, demonstrates that Ireland’s tax system displays some structural characteristics that have made revenues less vulnerable to external shocks. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, tax revenues fell by just €2.1 billion (3.6 per cent) last year. This is due in part to the strength in corporation tax revenues, which increased by nearly €1 billion (8.7 per cent).
That said, significant vulnerabilities remain including those relating to the concentration of corporation tax receipts among a handful of large payers, a risk which I have highlighted on numerous occasions. Indeed, my Department has published extensive work examining the future trajectory of, and potential vulnerabilities in, corporation tax receipts, including papers on Assessing Fiscal Vulnerabilities and Modelling Recent Developments in Corporation Tax (2019), as well as the Roadmap on Corporation Tax (updated 2021).
I have stated many times that given the inherent volatility of such receipts and prospective changes to international tax rules, we cannot rely on the current level of corporation tax revenues over the medium to long-term. As such, it is imperative that we put steps in place to address this dependency.
In this regard, medium-term fiscal planning will continue be based on the assumption of a decline in corporate tax revenues. Whilst the final outcome of the discussions on international tax reform remains unclear, the budgetary forecasts currently incorporate a €2 billion loss relative to the baseline by 2025.
In addition, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare will play an important role in independently considering how best the taxation and welfare systems can support economic activity and promote increased employment and prosperity, while ensuring that there are sufficient resources available to meet the costs of public services and supports in the long-term.
217. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which he and his Department can influence and coordinate fiscal matters in such a way as to support and encourage growth and development throughout the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45163/21]
View answer218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he continues to maintain contact with the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland with a view to achieving maximum cooperation and benefit throughout the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45164/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
It is important to state at the outset that I have no direct role in setting fiscal policy in Northern Ireland.
However, enhancing North-South cooperation and supporting the all-island economy is a priority for this Government, as set out in the Programme for Government. This is also articulated in the New Decade, New Approach agreement, in which the Government has made a strong commitment to work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government in support of greater cooperation, connectivity and opportunity North/South on the island, in line with the Government’s ongoing commitment to the Good Friday Agreement.
I always welcome the opportunity to engage and cooperate with institutions and individuals across Northern Ireland, including through engagement with the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) established under the Good Friday Agreement. While I was unfortunately unable to attend the most recent plenary meeting of the NSMC which took place in July of this year, I attended the previous plenary in December 2020 which considered the response to COVID-19, the implications of UK withdrawal from the EU and commitments under New Decade, New Approach.
In addition to participating in formal mechanisms for cooperation, I have also enjoyed meeting partners and stakeholders in less formal settings. Most recently, I attended the 2021 British Irish Association conference in Oxford on 4 September, which provided the welcome opportunity to engage once again in person with a range of stakeholders from across the island of Ireland and the UK. I took part in two sessions, speaking first about our economic relations East-West and North-South, and subsequently in a session with representatives of the UK Government and the devolved administrations on working together across the UK and Ireland after the pandemic.
219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the degree to which he remains satisfied that Ireland along with its European colleagues continues on a positive trajectory in terms of fiscal policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45165/21]
View answerWe approach Budget 2022 in a much better position than we were this time last year. The economy has recovered rapidly, with the vaccination programme proving extraordinarily successful. However, there will, of course, be long-term effects from the pandemic, particularly in terms of employment.
The most recent Exchequer returns showed a deficit of €6.7 billion was recorded to the end of August this year. This represents an improvement on the same period last year, of some €2.8 billion, although on a 12-month rolling basis, the deficit stands at €9.5 billion.
The year-on-year improvement is primarily down to an increase in tax revenue. Taxes to the end of August are €2 billion over profile, with income tax, corporation tax and VAT performing particularly strongly. On the expenditure side, gross voted expenditure is behind profile by €1.7 billion, although slightly ahead of the same period last year.
A general government deficit of approximately €20 billion, or just over 5 per cent of GDP, was projected in the Summer Economic Statement . Given the over-performance in tax, it is likely that the actual deficit will be lower than this. A revised deficit forecast will be produced as part of Budget 2022.
The fiscal picture in the European Union as a whole is also improving, as the worst impacts of the pandemic recede. In relation to economic growth, the EU Commission forecast GDP growth of 4.8% in 2021 and 4.5% in 2022, both in the EU and the Euro Area. A significant driver of the recovery as been the support shown by EU institutions, most notably via Next Generation EU funding mechanisms and the unprecedented support of the European Central Bank.
220. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his most recent engagements or correspondences with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, particularly in advance of Budget 2022. [45258/21]
View answerThe Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Fiscal Council) has a mandate to provide a formal independent assessment of official budgetary forecasts, as well as providing its view on the Government’s fiscal stance in any given year.
Most recently, the Council published its annual pre-Budget statement. As ever, this is valuable analysis and I welcome the Council's contribution at an early stage of the budget process.
The Council’s core function under the Fiscal Responsibility Act involves it providing an independent assessment of the official macroeconomic forecasts which underpin the Budget and Stability Programme Update. The so-called ‘endorsement function’ requires the Council to “endorse, as it considers appropriate, the macroeconomic forecasts prepared by the Department of Finance on which the Budget and Stability Programme will be based”.
As part of this process, my officials are currently in discussions with members of the organisation’s Secretariat and governing Council on a formal and structured basis in preparation of the forecasts that will underpin Budget 2022.
In addition, officials from my Department and the Fiscal Council also engage in regular technical dialogue to ensure that the Council has a clear understanding of the Department’s forecasting methodologies and process.
221. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the current level of employment in the State as a percentage of pre-pandemic levels of employment. [45259/21]
View answerThe Labour Force Survey, published by the Central Statistics Office on a quarterly basis, is the official source of labour market statistics for Ireland. It includes the official rates of employment which are based on International Labour Organisation (ILO) standardised concepts and definitions.
The latest edition of the Labour Force Survey – issued on 23rd of June this year – covered employment levels on an ILO basis for the first quarter of 2021.
On an ILO basis, the survey reported that some 2.25 million people were in employment (on a seasonally-adjusted basis) during the first quarter. This indicates a decrease in employment of around 92,000 persons relative to pre-pandemic levels in the final quarter of 2019. By this measure, the level of employment in the first quarter was approximately 96 per cent of pre-pandemic employment.
However, the ILO measure of employment does not fully account for the impact of the pandemic on the labour market. For instance, around half of recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) were recorded as employed under the ILO approach in the first quarter
Based on the CSO’s covid-adjusted measure of employment (non-seasonally adjusted), which treats all PUP recipients as unemployed, the level of employment at the end of March stood at 1.79 million, a decline of around 570,000 persons. By this measure, employment was around 76 per cent of pre-pandemic employment levels in Q4 2019.
The CSO is due to publish estimates for Q2 2021 employment levels, as part of its next iteration of the Labour Force Survey on the 24th September.
222. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the study he or his Department undertook before he concluded that Ireland’s employment levels will be back to pre-pandemic levels by 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45260/21]
View answerMy Department conducted a macroeconomic analysis of the labour market in April, as part of the Stability Programme Update (SPU) forecasting round. The labour market estimates as published in the SPU in April this year indicate that employment is estimated to return to its pre-pandemic levels during 2023.
My Department’s approach to forecasting employment growth entails the application of statistical models and other best practice analytical methods. It is important to note that the forecasts published with the SPU are subject to a statutory and independent endorsement process undertaken by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. The employment projections as published in SPU this year were endorsed by the Fiscal Council.
Updated projections – taking account of the most recent developments in the macro economy – will be published with Budget 2022 on October 12th following an endorsement process with the Fiscal Council.
223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has identified particular steps needed to check inflation in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45261/21]
View answer226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he is contemplating anti-inflationary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45264/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 226 together.
While Covid-19 had a deflationary impact both in Ireland and internationally last year, inflation has picked up since the beginning of this year. The annual rate of HICP inflation rose to 3 per cent in August – the highest rate since 2008. Similar trends have been observed across advanced economies, with inflation rates of 5.3, 3.2 and 3 per cent recorded in the US, UK and euro area in August.
However, the increase in inflation since the beginning of this year is largely explained by temporary factors, including ‘base effects’ associated with the normalisation of oil prices following their collapse last spring as well as an imbalance between demand and supply following the re-opening of the economy. This has been compounded by supply chain disruptions, namely the availability of inputs (e.g. semi-conductors) as well as capacity constraints for shipping, and shifts in demand as the pandemic has boosted the demand for some durable goods and reduced the demand for others.
Looking beyond the short-term, however, it seems likely that these temporary factors will fade as demand stabilises and supply pressures ease. Consistent with this view, the ECB last week reiterated that the current inflationary pressures are largely temporary and inflation in the euro area is still expected to remain below 2 per cent over the medium term.
Since the onset of the pandemic the Government has engaged in counter-cyclical budgetary policy. An unprecedented amount of resources has been directed at preserving incomes and helping businesses as the State ‘leaned against the wind’. As the recovery takes hold, the same approach must be taken. Temporary emergency supports will be unwound and public expenditure ceilings will be fixed at the trend growth rate of the economy to prevent the State adding ‘fuel to the fire’.
More specifically, the Government is very conscious of inflationary pressures in certain areas, particularly in relation to construction. The “Housing for All” strategy, for example, has a specific focus on tackling supply side constraints. My Department will continue to closely monitor and analyse inflationary developments and will publish updated inflation forecasts alongside the Budget in the autumn.
225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if inflation rates in Ireland are indicative of any particular vulnerabilities arising from Brexit or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45263/21]
View answerWhile Covid-19 had a deflationary impact last year, inflation has picked up since the beginning of this year. The annual rate of HICP inflation rate rose to 3 per cent in August – the highest rate since 2008. Similar trends have been observed across advanced economies, with inflation rates of 5.3, 3.2 and 3 per cent recorded in the US, UK and euro area in August.
The increase in inflation since the beginning of this year is largely explained by temporary factors, which are expected to fade over time. These include ‘base effects’ associated with the normalisation of oil prices following their collapse last spring as well as an imbalance between demand and supply following the re-opening of the economy. This has been compounded by supply chain disruptions, namely the availability of inputs (e.g. semi-conductors) as well as capacity constraints for shipping, and shifts in demand as the pandemic has boosted the demand for some durable goods and reduced the demand for others.
It’s possible that higher trade costs as a result of Brexit can in part explain the emergence of inflationary pressures in recent months. Indeed, non-energy industrial goods inflation which consists largely of UK imports, has picked up since January and various business surveys have cited Brexit related customs checks as a key driver of recent price increases. The uptick in the wholesale price index in recent months may in part be explained by Brexit.
The emergence of inflationary pressures has prompted a debate regarding the likely persistence of these price dynamics as consistently higher inflation could trigger monetary policy changes by the ECB, with implications for the cost of Government borrowing. Looking beyond the short-term, however, it seems likely that these temporary factors will fade as demand stabilises and supply pressures ease. Consistent with this view, the ECB recently reiterated that the current inflationary pressures are largely temporary and inflation in the euro area is still expected to remain below 2 per cent over the medium term. Nevertheless, my Department will continue to closely monitor and analyse inflationary developments and will publish updated inflation and economic forecasts alongside the Budget in the autumn.
229. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has handed back Fitzgibbon Street Garda station to the Garda authorities; if not, when it will be handed back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45054/21]
View answerIn any construction project, the Office of Public Works has to ensure that the finished building is fit for occupation prior to handover to the client. While construction works to the Garda Station building have been completed, commissioning of certain mechanical and electrical installations has not yet been demonstrated to the required standards.
The Office of Public Works is actively engaging with the main contractor on this issue and it expects that all of the outstanding commissioning will be concluded very shortly which will allow the building to be handed back to An Garda Síochána.
230. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the requirement to hire construction apprentices been included in any of the State’s large construction procurement contracts; if this is under consideration for future public procurement contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44498/21]
View answerThe appropriateness of including social considerations in public contracts needs to be examined by contracting authorities on a contract-by-contract basis to decide what, how, and when social considerations can be used to meet their own social and environmental objectives. It is a matter for individual contracting authorities to ensure that their public procurement activities are discharged in line with procurement rules and procedures. The OGP supports contracting authorities in this regard by making them aware of their legal and policy obligations in respect to public procurement.
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to any requirement to hire construction apprentices in public works projects is not collated centrally. However, the Deputy may wish to note that a pilot social clause was included in the three design and build, devolved schools bundles administered by the NDFA on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. In summary, the pilot clause required:
- At least 10% of those working on the sites to be drawn from the live register, having been unemployed for more than 12 months; and
- At least 2.5% of workers on the sites to be engaged in an approved registered apprenticeship, training or educational work placement scheme.
Similar clauses were included in all PPP projects procured by the NDFA since the announcement of the Infrastructure Stimulus Programme in 2012: Schools PPP Bundle 4, Schools PPP Bundle 5, TU Dublin at Grangegorman PPP, Primary Care Centres PPP, Courts Bundle PPP, Social Housing Bundle 1 and Social Housing Bundle 2. All of these projects are complete and in operations with the exception of Social Housing Bundle 2 which is still in construction.
Similar clauses are included in current PPPs in the Higher Education PPP Programme (being procured by the NDFA on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation) and in the second Devolved (design and build) Schools Programme (being procured by the NDFA on behalf of the Department of Education). Provisions for future contracts will be determined in consultation with the relevant Sanctioning Authority and my Department.
The inclusion of strategic, green and social policy considerations in procurement processes is a key feature of the Programme for Government.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, developed Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement. The Circular highlights the potential for Departments to support wider social and environmental aims through public procurement.
Further actions taken by the OGP in this area include: the publication of an Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement in December 2018; and the establishment of a cross-departmental Social Considerations Advisory Group to bring together officials from policy Departments with procurement practitioners to share best practice and to facilitate the process of incorporating social and environmental considerations into public procurement.
The Circular additionally draws the attention of Departments to the cross-departmental Social Considerations Advisory Group, which aims to promote and facilitate the incorporation of social considerations, including environmental considerations, into public procurement projects. This group was established by the OGP, and brings together officials from policy departments with public procurement practitioners to share best practice in relevant fields. In line with Programme for Government commitments the objectives of the group were updated, new Terms of Reference were developed in September 2020, and the group has been renamed as the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group (SPAG).
In accordance with the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’, members of the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group will consider the potential for measures supporting apprenticeship in procurement by different Departments and Agencies. Members of the Group and officials from the OGP will work alongside the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to deliver guidance on the inclusion of an apprenticeship/staff development provision within Public Sector tendering processes.
231. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the method by which Ireland's allocation of the Brexit Adjustment Fund will be spent; the nature of the consultation process he plans to open; the general approach he plans to base the allocation on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44685/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has been allocated €1.165 (current prices) from the EU's Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
As with the allocation of Brexit funding in previous years, the allocation of funding from the Reserve will be aligned with the annual Estimates process, and should be consistent with the criteria set out in the EU's Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation.
232. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the cost of maintaining the State pension age at 66 years is included in the base for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the Summer Economic Statement. [44690/21]
View answerAs set out in the Summer Economic Statement (SES), the medium term fiscal strategy provides for an average 5% annual growth-rate increase in Voted expenditure out to 2025, equating to increases in spending of between €4.0 billion to €4.4 billion from 2022 to 2025.
A key part of the Estimates process involves agreement on the overall level of expenditure required to maintain Existing Level of Service (ELS). This process involves detailed analysis requiring validation at programme level and consideration of a range of factors including actual demand in the current year compared to that underpinning the budgetary allocation, the potential impacts of new and existing initiatives on demand and utilisation patterns, impact of demographics on demand, specific price pressures, as well as any capacity constraints that may exist.
The SES assumes ELS costs each year of 3% of the core expenditure base. There was no adjustment made to this ELS amount for changes to the State Pension age over the period to 2025, consistent with the position as set out in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future.
233. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason his Department offers civil servants an employee assistance service but this service cannot offer free counselling sessions to staff, some of whom cannot afford to pay for this vital service privately; if he will remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44733/21]
View answerThe Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) offers free and confidential support to employees who are experiencing personal and/or work related difficulties that are impacting their wellbeing. The CSEAS provides one-to-one sessional support to civil servants, both face to face and online, addressing a broad and complex array of issues that affect the mental and emotional health of employees, including family and relationship difficulties, stress, anxiety, grief, depression, coping with change etc. Employee Assistance Officers (EAOs) also provide consultative support to civil service managers in the area of employee wellbeing in the workplace and are active in helping Departments and Offices respond proactively to a wide range of wellbeing issues.
The CSEAS does not adhere to any one particular therapeutic modality, ensuring that no matter what issue presented to the CSEAS, one-to-one sessions offering guidance and support can be provided for however long the employee (client) needs it. Should the client require or request structured clinical counselling for a particular issue, the EAO provides information on relevant services including low cost and/or no cost options that may be available to them.
234. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for the restoration of pay for section 56 and section 59 organisations in line with the Workplace Relations Commission brokered agreements for pay restoration for section 39 workers; his views on whether due to the fact that section 56 and 59 workers fall under a different Departmental funding stream they should not be excluded from the pay restoration awarded to section 39 workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/21]
View answerThe pay and conditions of public servants are the responsibility of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Matters pertaining to organisations funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 fall within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health.
Similarly, matters pertaining to organisations funded under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 are for the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
235. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the locations of all offices and buildings either owned or used by his Department or by public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit which are usually open to the public to access services. [44918/21]
View answerDue to the nature of its role, my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, have no office locations that provide services directly to the general public.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) also does not have public offices for the purpose of service delivery to the public but the Office manages a number of buildings and heritage sites around the country to which the public has access. Most of these are open, albeit subject to public health restrictions, and further information can be found on the OPW website.
With the exception of the Office of the Ombudsman, all other bodies under the aegis of my Department would not, under normal circumstances, be open to the public to access services. I have been advised that the office of the Office of the Ombudsman is currently closed to the public due to public health restrictions (located at 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773).
236. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has deleted text messages or email correspondence related to Government or official communications at any point since January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45042/21]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question I am satisfied that my records relating to government or official departmental business are retained in line with the requirements of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Records Management Policy and Procedures of June 2020.
237. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of commitment 13 and 14 in the context of the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan 2016-2018; and his plans to establish a public consultation in respect of open government partnerships in 2021 or 2022. [45048/21]
View answerIreland's Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018:
The Independent Report (Sept 2018) on the implementation of Ireland's Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018 found substantial progress on commitments 13 and 14. These commitments are now either completed or have a clear pathway to delivery as outlined below:
Commitment 13: Develop a Code of Practice for the Governance of Charities
This commitment (#13) was delivered with the publication of the Charities Governance Code in November 2018, which explains the minimum standards that should be met to effectively manage and control a charity. To support the implementation of the Code, the Charities Regulator provides; frequently asked questions,a training video, a toolkit with various templates and guidance notes. There is also a dedicated email address which can be used to email queries directly to the governance code team. Details are available at www.charitiesregulator.ie/en/information-for-charities/charities-governance-code .
Commitment 14: Strengthen Anti-Corruption Measures
Commitment 14 has been substantially delivered with the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Act 2018 enacted on 5th June 2018 and commenced in full on 30th July 2018, and the Judicial Council Act 2019 enacted on 23rd July 2019 and commenced in full on 17th December 2019.
The Public Sector Standards Bill 2015 lapsed (as with all Bills that had not completed the legislative process) with the dissolution of the Dáil in advance of last year’s General Election. The new Programme for Government (2020) includes a commitment to ‘reform and consolidate the Ethics in Public Office legislation’ . As a first step in meeting this commitment, the Government approved proposals for a review of ethics legislation earlier this month. The outcome of this review will inform proposals for legislative reform which the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reforms intends to bring forward in 2022.
Ireland's Open Government National Action Plan 2022-2024:
The next Open Government National Action Plan 2022 – 2024 is progressing, with ongoing engagement with Open Government Association of Ireland representatives and Open Government Partnership, international body. Work is progressing on many fronts for an upcoming public consultation in early November, including finalising an open government stakeholder map; the creation of an open government website on gov.ie; compiling active channels for a communication plan, and an interim Round Table Civil Society members meeting.
