Written Answers Nos. 59-78
60. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated overall level of Covid-19 related public expenditure that he anticipates in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45492/21]
View answerThe expenditure strategy for 2022 set out in July’s Summer Economic Statement provided for up to €8.1 billion in non-core, temporary spending under the overall expenditure ceiling. This provides €7 billion for Covid-19 related public expenditure measures during 2022, including approximately €0.2 billion expected to be spent under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. In addition, the €1.1 billion available under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve has been included under 2022 spending on a technical basis and will likely be allocated across Budget 2022 and Budget 2023.
Of this €7 billion funding provision for Covid-19 related measures, €1.5 billion has been indicated for automatic stabilisers, primarily job-seekers payments, while €2.5 billion will be available to meet pressures that may remain in delivering public services in line with any continued public health requirements. Decisions on specific measures to be covered by this funding will be made as part of the Estimates process and, as in 2021, allocations to Departments for Covid-19 measures will be separately identified in the Expenditure Report. These amounts had been included in the Stability Programme Update published in April.
Given the continued uncertainty in relation to the virus and the requirement to ensure that supports are carefully withdrawn in a manner that supports recovery in the economy, the Summer Economic Statement included an additional €2.8 billion in funding that can be utilised to support a phased withdrawal of supports and also to make provision for a contingency reserve. This contingency reserve will allow Government flexibility to respond as the situation with the virus evolves.
61. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed conservation management plan for the historic Oldbridge House and estate which is operated by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45494/21]
View answerOldbridge Estate is situated on 500 acres in Co. Meath taking in much of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, for current and future generations. The site is of deep historical and political significance to many communities on the island of Ireland and a significant population of visitors from communities in Northern Ireland visit the site each year. Oldbridge House provides an interpretative centre, which welcomes over 30,000 annual visitors to the exhibition featuring authentic 17th century armaments and accompanying audio-visual presentations.
In addition to the interpretive centre, the extensive gardens have been restored and feature an unusual sunken octagonal garden, a peach house, an orchard and herbaceous borders, while a tearoom pavilion has also been added.
The parklands attract 400,000 visitors per year, far in excess of the 100,000 projected when the site was originally refurbished and opened to the public in 2008. Many visitors to the site are attracted to the canal-side and river walks, the extensive parklands, and the Walled Gardens - which are free of charge to access.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a further 20,000 came to the site to attend events run by OPW such as “living history” military re-enactments, performances by local arts groups, Harvest, Halloween and Christmas Festivals featuring local small food producers and enterprises from the Boyne region.
The OPW now intends to develop an updated Conservation Management Plan which responds to the demand and current usage of the site and in order to plan for how we can best develop and manage the estate in the future. Key issues for consideration include the existing parking provision and the associated challenges that come with over 400,000 visitors annually, as well as the conservation and potential use of the historically significant farmyard buildings and the refurbishment of the upper floors of the house.
The Conservation Management Plan will seek to strike a balance between meeting the needs of the ever-increasing numbers of visitors and sustainable tourism. It will set out how future development at Oldbridge Estate will ensure the conservation and protection of this unique historic site as well as supporting the site to continue to contribute to the tourism and economic agenda for Meath and south Louth. Oldbridge is also an important site for biodiversity with a variety of habitats including grasslands, waterways and woodlands and the plan will ensure it continues to support the Government’s objectives in respect of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
I can confirm that officials are engaged in a procurement process to contract consultants to develop this plan and that consultants will be appointed in the coming weeks.
62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/21]
View answerI am advised that Flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city are being developed as part of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme.
Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme for the city, with technical advice and funding being provided by the Office of Public Works. Following a tender process undertaken by the City Council, an engineering and environmental consultant was appointed in November 2020 to review and build on the initial proposals in the Flood Risk Management Plan, which were developed under the CFRAM Programme. The objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway city. The Coirib go Cósta - Galway City Flood Relief Scheme has a preliminary total project budget estimate of €9.5m and has the objective of protecting over 940 properties in the Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal, Merchants Quay, Raven Terrace, Salthill and Claddagh areas of Galway City from tidal and river flooding.
The scheme has been broken into five distinct stages:
Stage 1 – Options assessment and scheme development. The options assessment and development stage is currently ongoing.
Stage 2 – Planning and Consent. This is when the preparation and submission of planning documentation to An Bord Pleanála will be undertaken, along with the completion of all required environmental assessments and consents.
Stage 3 – Detailed design and tender process. The detailed design of the preferred scheme will be completed in stage three, followed by the procurement of contractors for the construction of the scheme.
Stage 4 – Scheme construction. The construction stage of the scheme is estimated to take approximately two and a half years.
Stage 5 – Handover and completion. The handover and completion stage of the project (including defects period) marks the completion of the project and is estimated to be finalised in mid 2029.
The project is currently at Stage 1 where options development and initial scheme development takes place. Work to date on this stage has consisted of:
- Collection and review of available data relating to the scheme and study area. For example: historic flood data; CFRAM data; Irish Water data; and Galway City Council data.
- Additional data collection in the form of surveys. These surveys include: invasive species; threshold levels; a wave overtopping study; culverts and drainage; hydrometric gauges; and surveys of existing flood defences.
- The hydrological method statement is currently being finalised. This will form the basis for the hydrological design and hydraulic modelling required for the scheme.
- Significant work has also been undertaken on stakeholder and public engagement.
- A scheme-specific communications strategy has been developed to ensure best practice is implemented for stakeholder and public engagement throughout the project.
- The opening public engagement process has already been undertaken; beginning on 1st June and finishing on 7th July 2021. This event was widely advertised and was held online due to current Covid 19 restrictions.
- Engagement with significant stakeholders has commenced in addition to the public engagement day – these include the Galway Harbour Authority, Irish Water, and NUIG. Building on this, a first collaborative workshop has been scheduled for the 28th September 2021 that will collectively meet with all stakeholders identified as having a high interest and high influence on the project.
Stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the project. The next non-statutory public engagement day will take place in Q3 2022 where a range of draft scheme options will be presented for consultation. Here, members of the public will have an opportunity to review all emerging options and provide feedback which will be addressed by the project team in moving towards developing the preferred scheme option.
A third non-statutory public engagement day is scheduled towards the end of Stage 1, prior to submission of the scheme for Planning, which will be used to present the emerging preferred scheme option. Again, a submissions period will be provided and members of the public will have an opportunity to put forward their opinions on the emerging preferred scheme prior to Planning. This feedback will be incorporated into developing the final scheme option.
Environmental assessments will be a very important element of this scheme in particular. Work towards the Environmental Impact Assessment and Appropriate Assessment will be undertaken by the consultants throughout the planning and design stages of the project and will also take into account information gathered during the consultation processes.
The environmental consultants will be responsible for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and Natura Impact Statement (as required).
The Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme is primarily focused on addressing the sustainable and effective management of flood risk but shall also ensure that the design of any measures, in particular structural measures, recognise the distinctive character of Galway city. The scheme will include creative landscape and architectural solutions, which, in addition to addressing flood risk management, will enhance the biodiversity, urban landscape and public realm amenity of the receiving environment, whilst integrating with other advancing projects.
This scheme represents a significant Investment Project for Galway City, which will be undertaken with all due consideration for regulatory, planning, environmental and social constraints, while achieving the goal of delivering a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway city.
The project has a website (www.coiribgocosta.ie/) that provides up to date information to those interested in the scheme’s progress.
63. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the €5.3 million recently returned to the Exchequer from the Criminal Assets Bureau can be ring-fenced and reinvested back into the communities that have been mostly impacted by crime. [45399/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, earlier this month the Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, welcomed the Annual Report of the Criminal Assets Bureau for 2020. The report was submitted to the Minister by the Criminal Assets Bureau pursuant to the provisions of section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996 and brought to Government by Minister Humphreys. The Report, which has been published, outlines that the Criminal Assets Bureau returned €5.3 million to the public purse in 2020. Proceeds of crime actions, together with actions under the revenue and social protection provisions, yielded in excess of €4.2 million to the Exchequer. A further €1.1 million was returned to the Exchequer under section 24 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, which allows for the confiscation of assets of a person who has been convicted of drug trafficking and where the court has determined that the offender has benefited from drug trafficking.
As I stated in my previous responses to similar Parliamentary Questions last year any proposal to ring fence funding allocations would contravene a general principle of public financial management that earmarking revenues for a specific expenditure programme would constrain the Government in the implementation of its overall expenditure policy.
Notwithstanding this position, the continued importance of community crime prevention initiatives and the need for the prioritisation of funding for such initiatives are matters on which both the Minister for Justice and I are agreed.
I am of the view that as a Government we need to clearly demonstrate to communities how success in detecting and combating crime can be linked in more transparent ways to support for youth diversion programmes while respecting the principles of public financial management. In recognition of this, earlier this year, the Minister of Justice and I jointly announced our agreement in principle to establish a new fund to support community safety in the context of Budget 2022. Provision for the new Community Safety Innovation Fund will be included in the Justice Vote as part of the Estimates process and will reflect the significant successes of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in disrupting criminal activity and seizing proceeds of crime.
The Community Safety Innovation Fund will support the work of new Community Safety Partnerships in every local authority area by providing prioritised funding to the best community safety proposals. It will also encourage the development of innovative ways in which to improve community safety from people within the community itself, as each Community Safety Partnership will bring together residents, community representatives, business interests, councillors, local authorities and State services such as An Garda Síochána, Tusla and the HSE to devise and implement Local Community Safety Plans. The Plans will outline how the community proposes to support crime prevention and will reflect community priorities and local safety issues. The goal is to make communities safer for families, residents and businesses.
64. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the contracting authorities are conducting an appropriate level of due diligence in view of recent public procurement audit failures associated with Covid-19-related purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45418/21]
View answer70. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that contracting authorities are conducting an appropriate level of due diligence in view of recent public procurement audit failures associated with Covid-19 related purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45602/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 70 together.
EU public procurement regulations were developed and agreed by all Member States within the European Union to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. The regulations, however, acknowledge that there can be legitimate reasons for awarding contracts without the use of a competitive process, including extreme urgency brought about by unforeseeable events such as the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The regulations provide for a range of options for procuring goods and services in such urgent circumstances.
In July, the Government agreed that, as the early challenges of the pandemic have now been addressed, the number of circumstances reduced where exceptional procurement action is required. The Government recognised, however, that the pandemic may yet bring additional unforeseen challenges which may require such exceptional action. However, such situations are expected to be rare and must be fully justified and reported to the Comptroller & Auditor General.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), an office within my Department, has responsibility for developing and setting out the overarching policy framework and associated guidelines to facilitate compliance with public procurement rules. The OGP will shortly publish an updated Information Note for public bodies on Covid-19 and public procurement emphasising the need for public bodies to attain maximum value for money through competitive procedures.
My Department, including the OGP, has no role in the audit and scrutiny of the procurement practices of public sector bodies. It is a matter for individual contracting authorities to ensure that their public procurement function is discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and procedures. Section 19 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993 provides that each Accounting Officer is personally responsible for the safeguarding of public funds and property under his or her control; for the regularity and propriety of all the transactions in each Appropriation Account bearing his or her signature; and for the efficiency and economy of administration in his or her Department. Public procurement practices are subject to audit and scrutiny under the Comptroller & Auditor General.
65. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he plans to promote green public procurement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45397/21]
View answerIn 2019, my Department published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement which instructs Departments to consider including green procurement criteria where:
- Clearly defined, quantifiable, verifiable, and measurable criteria have been developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and are relevant to the specific procurement process, and
- The cost can be met within a Department’s existing budget, without impacting on service delivery
Circular 20/2019 also requires public bodies to incorporate relevant green procurement measures into their planning and reporting cycles as an appendix within each Annual Report which serves to further promote its uptake. Additionally, departments provide detailed reports to the Environmental Protection Agency annually which will assist in understanding where further guidance is needed or where promotion should focus.
In September 2021, my colleague Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth launched the updated 'Green Public Procurement - Guidance for the Public Sector'. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) supported the EPA in the development of this guidance. It incorporates guidance for 10 priority categories on:
- Opportunities to consider green issues throughout the procurement process
- Defined, quantifiable, and measurable criteria and
- Methods of verification.
The EPA funded training for public procurement officers on the guidance throughout 2021 and will extend training to suppliers this year.
My Officials in the OGP will engage with the EPA and DECC in further promoting the use of the updated guidance through the inter-departmental Strategic Procurement Advisory Group (SPAG) and its Environmental subgroup. The SPAG facilitates incorporation of social and environmental considerations into public procurement bringing together officials from policy departments with public procurement practitioners to share best practice. The Environmental subgroup, chaired jointly by the OGP and DECC, facilitates detailed, technical discussion on approaches to incorporate environmental considerations into procurement. Also, OGP engages bilaterally with public bodies promoting GPP, and presents at many events aimed at the public sector, including the EPA Circular Economy Conference 2021.
My Department is committed to promoting GPP in line with international and national policy and best practice and continues to work effectively with partners to build upon the current interest in GPP arising from recent developments including the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Climate Action (Amendment) Act, and Climate Action Plans.
66. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of works his Department is currently progressing in County Clare to mitigate against coastal erosion. [45584/21]
View answerCoastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process, which takes place around the entire coastline. The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have responsibility for the preparation of a national coastal erosion strategy or plan. The OPW's prime responsibility in this area is the management of flood risk. However, the Government has established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider.
Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. To assist Local Authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the OPW has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. This data enables Local Authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.
The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures. Intervention or hard defences has the potential to cause problems further along the coast, any proposed intervention measures are best developed in conjunction with a formal coastal risk management study that has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options.
The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme since 2009, under which applications for funding from local authorities for small localised works are considered for measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects that meet the eligibility criteria including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial. It is a matter for each local authority to ensure that all the necessary environmental, statutory and regulatory approvals are in place prior to any works being undertaken.
The OPW guidelines for funding applications under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, together with a full list of funding approvals since 2009 is available on the OPW website at www.gov.ie/opw
The OPW has approved €1.2m for coastal protection works, including coastal erosion, Clare County Council since 2009. A summary of these approvals are attached.
Details of funding to Clare County Council for coastal works including coastal erosion works and studies below.
|
COUNTY: CLARE |
COUNTY: CLARE |
(Local Authority: Clare County Council) |
(Local Authority: Clare County Council) |
(Local Authority: Clare County Council) |
|
No. |
Project Location |
Project Details |
Approved Funding (€) |
Year of Approval |
|
1 |
Lahinch & Milton Malbay |
Works |
45,000 |
2009 |
|
2 |
Tromara, Quilty |
Design and build Gabion wall/mattress protection to beach dunes 100m long |
72,000 |
2011 |
|
3 |
Ballyvaughan |
New pipe from turlough to the sea |
270,000 |
2011 |
|
4 |
Liscannor Bay (Clahane, Liscannor & Lahinch) |
Coastal erosion & flood risk management study |
108,000 |
2015 |
|
5 |
Kilbaha & New Quay |
Coastal erosion & flood risk management study |
102,000 |
2015 |
|
6 |
Quilty to Miltown Malbay (Quilty, Spanish Point & Whitestrand) |
Coastal erosion & flood risk management study |
65,000 |
2015 |
|
7 |
Doolin |
Coastal erosion & flood risk management study |
55,000 |
2015 |
|
8 |
Cloughauninchy |
Coastal erosion & flood risk management study |
84,000 |
2015 |
|
9 |
Cloughaunminchy (coastal) |
Appointment of consultants for detailed design and planning |
36,000 |
2017 |
|
10 |
Rineville, Carrigaholt |
To infill the existing revetment as detailed in the application |
€90,000 |
2018 |
|
11 |
Aughinish Island, New Quay |
Repair breaches in embankment, strengthen & reinforce embankment with rock armour. Repair walls. |
€81,000 |
2019 |
|
12 |
Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay |
Detailed design and planning |
€36,000 |
2020 |
|
13 |
Spanish Point |
Provide rock armour over 75m |
€225,000 |
2020 |
67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans that are under way to prepare for the changing demographics that will see an increase in the median age of the population, which is currently 38 years, and a corresponding increase in age-related public expenditure as forecast in the Trends in Public Expenditure Review Paper produced by his Department during summer 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45437/21]
View answerThe challenges arising from changing demographics and an ageing population are recognised in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future. In particular, the Programme for Government provided for the establishment of a Commission on Welfare and Taxation and a Commission on Pensions.
The terms of reference for the Commission on Welfare and Taxation include: a review of how best the taxation and welfare system can support economic activity and income redistribution, whilst promoting increased employment and prosperity in a resilient inclusive and sustainable way, and ensuring that there are sufficient resources available to meet the costs of public services and supports in the medium and longer term. The terms of reference also set out that the Commission will examine what changes, if any, should be made to the social insurance system, including structure and benefits coverage, while ensuring sustainability. In carrying out this work, the terms of reference outline that the Commission will consider the output of the Pensions Commission regarding sustainability and eligibility issues in respect of State Pension arrangements.
The Commission on Welfare and Taxation is to submit its report to the Minister for Finance by no later than 1 July 2022.
The demographic challenge also arises from a growing population. Ensuring that the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet this challenge is one of the priorities in the National Development Plan. In this context the Summer Economic Statement set out growth of almost 12% in Exchequer capital investment in 2022, with this investment of €11.1 billion as a percentage of modified gross national income (GNI*) being 4.8%.
Given the requirement to meet the longer-term challenges including from demographics, we must continue to reform and improve the budgetary process in order to enhance Ireland’s budgetary framework. The budgetary reforms introduced in recent years, including Performance Budgeting and Equality Budgeting, are focussed on providing the evidence base to support the efficient and effective delivery of services that have a positive impact on people's lives. This work is being further enhanced with the development of the Wellbeing Framework for Ireland that can inform efforts to improve the impact of public policy. This focus on performance and impact of expenditure is an essential element of the expenditure framework as we plan for steady sustainable increases in expenditure over the coming years.
68. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the ongoing engagement with the Department of Justice and relevant stakeholders in relation to the restoration of fees to criminal defence barristers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45401/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the reduction in counsel fees over the period of 2009 - 2011 were underpinned by Government decisions and formed part of the broader Government need to reduce costs across the public service.
I fully acknowledge and appreciate the very important work undertaken by barristers who prosecute and defend cases throughout the criminal courts. 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.
69. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the key elements in his expenditure management and spending strategy for Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45683/21]
View answerBudget 2022 will be framed in the context of:
- continued sustainable increases in core public expenditure with a further significant increase in capital investment;
- provision of exceptional additional funding for temporary supports to address the impacts of Covid-19;
- addressing the impacts of Brexit, in particular through measures to be funded by the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to counter the adverse consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
The Summer Economic Statement (SES) laid out up to €8.1 billion in 2022 for non-core, temporary spending under the overall expenditure ceiling of €88.2 billion and a core expenditure ceiling of €80.1 billion. The core expenditure ceiling includes additional core expenditure of €4.2 billion over the 2021 core amount and includes an increase of €1.1 billion, almost 12%, in additional capital funding.
The core current expenditure increase of €3.1 billion proposed for Budget 2022 will provide for existing level of service (ELS) costs and allow for the implementation of new policy measures to enhance public services and social supports. In total, a provision of €2.1 billion is reflected as being earmarked for ELS costs, leaving €1 billion for new measures.
In relation to non-recurring temporary supports, this allocation is targeted at addressing the specific challenges of Covid-19, with up to €7 billion available to fund relevant measures, including under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, with certain of this amount to be held back in a contingency reserve to allow Government respond to the situation with the virus next year. This funding will allow for the phased withdrawal of supports, additional expenditure on income supports as the labour market continues to recover, and for spending on necessary public health measures required for the delivery of public services in a Covid environment.
Decisions on specific measures to be covered by this funding and allocations to Departments will be made as part of the Estimates process. As in 2021, it is intended that all expenditure allocations related to Covid-19 will be separately identified in the Expenditure Report to ensure transparency.
Further to this, Ireland has been allocated €1.1 billion under the EU’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve, to fund measures to address the negative impacts of Brexit across the eligible period of the fund. This funding will be allocated across Budget 2022 and Budget 2023 to support employment, businesses and local communities negatively affected by Brexit, including those in the fishing industry.
71. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the operation of the entry fee waiver for OPW sites and the subsequent effect on visitor numbers to such sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45489/21]
View answerIn line with the Government’s announcement that museums and galleries could reopen from 10th May, the Office of Public Works (OPW) were delighted to commence reopening additional heritage sites from mid-May. Together with the OPW gardens and parklands that had remained open throughout lockdown, our reopened heritage sites played an important role in providing additional amenities for citizens’ health and wellbeing and in reviving cultural life. To assist the recovery further, admission charges to all fee-charging OPW heritage sites were waived from 14 May on a temporary basis, until the end of 2021.
Both individual visitors and business clients such as Tour Operators, benefit from the measure. There is no change in respect of other sales such as publications and visitor memorabilia, at OPW heritage sites and the OPW continues to apply facility fee charges in respect of any third party events that arise at sites. All admission charges will be reinstated with effect from 1 January 2022 and will apply at the same levels as previously applied.
The measure was adopted as an incentive to domestic tourism in the summer period and to encourage staycations for Irish citizens. It was also intended that the arrangement would remain in place into the pre-Christmas period to encourage short stay breaks, weekend trips etc. in regional areas particularly. The heritage sites managed by the OPW are widely dispersed regionally and act as prime locator points for tourist ingress, supporting relevant local economic enterprise activity in surrounding areas including accommodation, bars, restaurants, other activity providers etc. and encouraging considerable aggregated economic spin-off.
Fully audited visitor numbers for 2021 are not yet available but anecdotal evidence points to strong visitor numbers when taken in the context of the pandemic and associated site restrictions, notwithstanding that some sites have had to limit capacity in order to meet social distancing requirements.
72. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value to date of requests for expenditure increases in Budget 2022 in pre-budget submissions; the main areas for which allocations have been sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44807/21]
View answerBudget 2022 is now less than three weeks away and engagement between my Department and other Departments and Offices is ongoing. In line with the fiscal parameters agreed in the Summer Economic Statement (SES), the expenditure ceiling for 2022 will be €88.2 billion. €80.1 billion of this overall ceiling will be for core expenditure while up to €8.1 billion in non-core, temporary funding will be available for 2022 for measures to respond to the impacts of Covid-19 and for measures funded from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
This €80.1 billion core expenditure ceiling includes additional core expenditure of €4.2 billion over the 2021 core amount. This increased core expenditure includes the €1.1 billion additional capital funding under the National Development Plan and €3.1 billion in additional funding for current expenditure measures. €2.1 billion of this current expenditure increase has been provided to meet pre-commitment costs in relation to demographics, and to meet the carryover costs of prior year measures and of public service pay deals. This leaves €1.0 billion to fund priority new core current expenditure measures.
The National Economic Dialogue (NED) held at the end of June this year provided an opportunity for the various stakeholders to discuss with Ministers issues of concern with them in the run-up to Budget 2022. Discussions at the NED included consideration of issues in relation to prioritisation of budgetary resources and the trade-offs required in order to deliver on societal and economic priorities while returning the public finances to sustainability.
In line with previous years there are requests for additional expenditure that exceed the available resources set out in the SES. This will require prioritisation to ensure that the additional resources are impacting on people's lives and are supporting effective and efficient delivery of public services.
As set out in the SES, and also the subject of discussions at the NED, there is to be a phased withdrawal of the exceptional Covid-19 related expenditure to support recovery through next year. A substantial amount of €7 billion has been earmarked for Covid-19 expenditure to support delivery of public services taking into account public health requirements, provide for a tapered phased withdrawal of supports, and for a contingency reserve to allow Government respond as the situation with the virus evolves next year.
I, along with my officials, am currently involved in the process of working with all Departments and Offices over the coming weeks in relation to the proposals received and finalisation of the funding available at a departmental level and to ensure that the Budget Estimates for next year are settled within the parameters agreed by Government in the SES. Budget settlements will be guided by the goals of the Programme for Government commitment to return the public finances to a more sustainable position while addressing our infrastructure challenges, continuing to enhance our public services and social supports, and supporting a balanced recovery from the pandemic.
73. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on flooding project works for Archahan Bridge in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45580/21]
View answerLocal flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat. There is no application on hand for the location mentioned in the Deputy’s question.
Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie.
77. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the issue of problem gambling will be a consideration of the review of the National Lottery good causes funding distribution model which is currently underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45410/21]
View answerAs part of the terms of the National Lottery licence, almost 30c from every €1 spent on National Lottery games is returned to the Exchequer to be utilised by Good Cause projects.
I was pleased to recently announce plans to review the transparency and effectiveness of how National Lottery good causes related funding is distributed. This review is reflective of the Department’s overall mission, and in embarking on this project we are taking steps to ensure that National Lottery funding is distributed in the most transparent and effective way possible.
While the National Lottery is subject to regulation by an independent National Lottery Regulator, matters pertaining to gambling are a matter for the Minister for Justice. The Programme for Government gives a clear commitment to establish a gambling regulator focused on public safety and well-being, covering gambling online and in person, and the powers to regulate advertising, gambling websites and apps.
The Justice Plan 2021 identifies the enactment of legislation to licence and regulate the gambling industry as a key objective, and I understand that there are plans to publish the general scheme of a Bill which seeks to provide for the establishment of a Gambling Regulator in Q3 2021.
