Written Answers Nos. 222-241
222. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to issue new Irish sovereign green bonds as per action 74 of the Climate Action Plan 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56023/21]
View answerI am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency that on Thursday last, 11 November, the NTMA sold €650m of the Irish Sovereign Green Bond (ISGB) maturing in 2031 in a bond auction. It sold a further €97.5m in the non-competitive auction bringing to €747.5m nominal the total issued in the auction. The cash proceeds raised from this auction were €839m.
This brings to almost €6.85bn nominal (over €7.3bn in cash proceeds raised) the total green bond issuance so far by the NTMA, following the inaugural issue in 2018, a syndicated tap in 2019, and an auction in September 2020.
The NTMA will continue to look for opportunities to issue further sovereign green bonds as market conditions allow.
The third annual allocation ISGB report was published in July of this year. It provides detail on allocations to eligible green projects from ISGB proceeds in 2020.
The second annual eligible green projects impact report was also issued in July of this year. It details the environmental impact measures connected to the 2019 allocation report.
Both reports will be published annually.
223. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to develop a roadmap for review and transition away from fossil fuel tax subsidies in the transport sector as per action 259 of the Climate Action Plan 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56025/21]
View answerAction 259 of the Climate Action Plan 2021 refers to developing a roadmap for review and transitioning away from fossil fuel subsidies in the transport sector.
To complete this action, analysis of the cost and impact of existing tax fossil fuel subsidies will be undertaken. My Department will engage with other relevant Departments and based on the outcome of the analysis, a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuel subsidies will be developed.
224. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to prepare a climate finance roadmap as per action 430 of the Climate Action Plan 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56026/21]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2021 is the all-of-Government plan that sets out the steps and actions we need to take to halve our emissions by 2030 and aim to reach net zero no later than 2050. This transformation will impact on all sectors of the economy and finance flows should be consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilient development.
Ireland recognises international climate action as a major priority in light of the threat climate change presents to the world, including the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and how climate change drives humanitarian needs. Ireland targets international climate finance towards helping the poorest to adapt to climate impacts, in the sectors and countries where they are most affected.
As mentioned in the Climate Action Plan 2021, the Programme for Government has committed to at least doubling the percentage of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance that is spent on international climate finance by 2030. This month at COP26 in Glasgow, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland will be contributing at least €225 million annually in climate finance by 2025 – increasing Ireland’s contribution to the developed countries’ agreed collective climate finance goal of $100 billion per year. The Climate Finance Roadmap will set out how we achieve this aim.
The Department of Foreign Affairs are leading on preparing the Roadmap. They will develop it in close collaboration with my own Department, as well as the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other relevant stakeholders. We look forward to working with Foreign Affairs and other colleagues to help prepare this important Roadmap in a coherent whole-of-Government manner.
225. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to explore the potential for new tax measures to support retrofit as per action 214 of the Climate Action Plan 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56027/21]
View answerOne of the actions set out in the recently published Climate Action Plan is that my Department will explore the potential for new tax measures to support retrofit. As provided in the action plan, the timeline established for this action is Q4 2022. Details of the process are yet to be finalised.
In relation to the process of assessing proposals for tax expenditures generally, I would make the following observations:
- In the normal course of events, the introduction of any new tax expenditure measure would take place in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process.
- It would also be usual that proposals for tax expenditure measures would be assessed in accordance with my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines. These make clear that it is important that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures and where a tax-based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.
- Furthermore, I must always be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, lead to a narrowing of the tax base and a strong and convincing case for the benefits and outcomes need to be articulated in order for due consideration to be given for the commitment of scarce taxpayer resources for such reliefs.
226. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the volume of development land in hectares currently held by NAMA or for which NAMA has an interest in tabular form; the amount of the land that has active planning permission; the number of residential units that are included as part of the planning permissions; and the number of these residential units that are currently commenced and under construction. [56075/21]
View answerAs indicated in my response of 2nd November 2021 to Questions 246, 247, 253, 265, 266, NAMA’s loans are secured by an estimated 638 hectares of land of which 426 of these hectares have residential zoning and will be suitable for residential development between now and 2035. 212 hectares are not currently zoned residential.
A breakdown of this land by planning status and unit capacity, along with details of units currently under construction, is contained in the aforementioned response which can be found at the following link: www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-11-02/246/.
For the Deputy’s convenience, the relevant elements are reiterated below.
Land Assets
I am advised that NAMA debtors and receivers own an estimated 426 hectares of land that is potentially suitable for residential development in Ireland between now and 2035. It should be noted that only 63 hectares of this land has planning permission; the remaining 363 hectares does not yet have planning. Table 1 sets out the size, unit capacity, and local authority area of residential land with planning permission securing NAMA’s loan portfolio. This data excludes sites which are currently under construction or where funding is approved for construction (circa 1,500 units). NAMA regularly assesses the feasibility of sites with planning permission and, where development is deemed commercially viable, NAMA provides funding for the delivery of new residential units on the sites.
Table 1: Sites with planning permission
|
Local Authority Area |
Potential Units |
Site area (hectares) |
|
Cork County Council |
24 |
4 |
|
Dublin City Council |
199 |
3 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
745 |
14 |
|
Fingal County Council |
411 |
15 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
817 |
15 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
549 |
12 |
|
2,745 |
63 |
Table 2 details residential zoned land without planning permission owned by NAMA debtors and receivers. This data includes sites where planning permission is lodged, being prepared or which are subject to pre-planning and feasibility assessments. The development of the majority of sites in Table 2 can only occur over the medium to long term.
Table 2: Sites without planning permission
|
Local Authority Area |
Potential Units |
Site area (hectares) |
|
Cork County Council |
300 |
32 |
|
Dublin City Council |
7,400 |
94 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
720 |
7 |
|
Fingal County Council |
4,751 |
136 |
|
Kildare County Council |
1,340 |
37 |
|
Meath County Council |
415 |
9 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
110 |
10 |
|
Wexford County Council |
436 |
15 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
219 |
23 |
|
15,691 |
363 |
Additionally, NAMA holds security over 212 hectares of unzoned land which is not yet included in any local authority development plans.
NAMA expects to directly deliver a further 2,000+ units from its secured portfolio.
Table 3 illustrates NAMA’s delivery potential based on the viability and profile of the remaining sites with planning permission in NAMA’s portfolio. I am advised that delivery of the 2,000+ units in the first 2 rows, (a) and (b), where it is indicated that funding is approved or under consideration, will be extremely challenging. NAMA’s objective is to make the sites under (d) and (e) as shovel ready as possible by achieving planning before disposal. The sites under (f) will only likely become available post-2025, but it is important to asset manage them between now and then by trying to resolve infrastructure and zoning, and ultimately planning.
Table 3: NAMA Residential Delivery Pipeline
|
NAMA delivery potential |
Details |
No. of Units |
|
a. Under construction (600 units) or with funding approved (900 units) |
1,500 units |
|
|
b. Planning permission granted and funding under consideration |
800 units |
|
|
Future delivery by private developers |
c. Planning permission granted but will be sold or refinanced by debtors |
2,000 units |
|
d. Planning applications lodged and under consideration by the planning authorities |
800 units |
|
|
Long term (post-2025) |
e. Planning applications being prepared |
3,200 units |
|
f. Longer term potential subject to viability, planning, various infrastructural requirements and zoning |
11,700 units
|
|
|
Total |
20,000 units |
|
228. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 9 November 2021, the percentage of the 2% of primary home mortgages provided without the requirement for mortgage protection insurance that were given an exemption either specifically due to suffering from an eating disorder or under the exemption (b) of section 126 of Consumer Credit Act 1995 given that this is the only exemption that could cover a mortgage applicant with an eating disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56077/21]
View answerAs referred to in my answer to the earlier question from the Deputy, it was estimated that on an annual basis only 0.05% of mortgage applications were refused due to the fact that the applicant did not put in place an acceptable policy of mortgage insurance and that on an annual basis around 2% of primary home mortgages were provided without the requirement for mortgage protection insurance. My Department does not have any further or more detailed information on this specific data.
However, more generally the BPFI has indicated that financial institutions always seek to ensure the right outcome for the customer by taking all aspects of the specific mortgage application into consideration and, in reviewing any case where an exemption to the requirement to arrange mortgage protection insurance is sought, lenders will engage closely with each customer on a case-by-case basis to understand the credit and other risks which may arise in each individual case. Of most concern in such cases is understanding if any surviving party to the mortgage would have the ability to repay the facility in the event of the death of the uninsured party. There are situations where it is deemed in the customer’s best interest to waive the requirement and others where it is deemed not to be in the customer’s best interest to waive the requirement for mortgage protection. This is likely to be particularly relevant where the mortgage is on the family home or the primary residence of the customer. Also it should be noted that, as customers typically arrange mortgage protection insurance through a third-party insurance company, lenders are often unaware of the specific reasons why the third-party insurance company has declined mortgage protection cover and therefore this is not a factor included in consideration when deciding on a waiver request.
Nevertheless, it should also be noted that if any person is not satisfied with the way a regulated mortgage provider or insurance provider has dealt with them in relation to an application for a mortgage or mortgage protection insurance, the consumer can complain directly to the regulated entity. If they are not satisfied with the response from the regulated entity, the response to their complaint from the regulated entity is required to include details for the borrower on how to refer their complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman who, if a valid complaint is made, will independently consider matter.
229. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Finance the steps he has taken and-or the decision that has been made on an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56102/21]
View answerI understand that this matter is currently before the Courts. Accordingly, I do not believe it is appropriate to comment at this time.
230. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the timeline for the proposed flood protection scheme in Arklow, County Wicklow; if the schedule of works will be aligned with works for the Arklow wastewater treatment plant to prevent potential flooding on the northside of the river in particular the Ferrybank area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56150/21]
View answerThe Arklow Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Wicklow County Council, with support and full funding provided by the Office of Public Works under the OPW’s Capital Flood Relief Programme. As part of this scheme, Wicklow County Council intends to undertake engineering works along the Avoca River to mitigate the risk of flooding, including in the Ferrybank area. A planning submission for the scheme was lodged with An Bórd Pleanála in May of this year and, subject to approval, it is anticipated that archaeological works could commence on site in the summer of 2022.
Officials at Irish Water advise that the main contract works for the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant commenced in late September of this year. Works on asbestos removal, silt trenches and service diversions are ongoing. The design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant has had regard to the shared works element of the two schemes to the extent permitted in the planning permission. The details of the shared works elements will be reviewed in the context of the development of the final detailed designs of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Flood Relief Scheme respectively.
231. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding that has been made available to a municipal district (details supplied) for flood relief schemes; that schemes that will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55593/21]
View answerThe Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for the Shannon River Basin, launched in 2018, includes a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe. A Project Steering Group, comprising representatives from the Office of Public Works as Contracting Authority, and Galway County Council as project partners, is in place to progress the Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 (as amended).
In 2019, the OPW appointed Engineering and Environmental Consultants to complete the design of the scheme, which will provide protection to 222 properties when complete at a preliminary cost estimate of €8.6m.
The main measures proposed include:
- Construction of flood defences (including 530m of new defence walls, 5,050m of flood embankments and a demountable flood gate).
- Construction of two new 6m wide flood alleviation arch culverts at Ballinasloe East Bridge.
- Construction of two Lock Gates across the Canal and a sluice gate across the channel flowing into the marina from the canal.
- Upgrade the existing Kilclooney Road Bridge on the River Deerpark and regrading of the riverbed upstream and downstream of Kilclooney Road Bridge to maximize efficiency of the upgraded structure.
- Maintain all existing defences and the West and East Atlas channels to ensure their full capacity can be utilised in a flood event.
Public Consultation Days.
As part of the consultation process for the scheme, and in order to raise awareness of the proposed flood mitigation works, a “Public Consultation Day” (PCD) was held on the 5th of March 2020 which included a short presentation on the Scheme to Local Councillors. A further Public Consultation to discuss the emerging options for the Scheme will be held early in 2022. The OPW will be seeking input from all stakeholders and members of the public on the various emerging options under consideration, with a view to promoting a positive and inclusive approach to the scheme development.
OPW provides funding to Galway County Council for a Project Engineer to enable the Council to support the development of the Flood Relief scheme in Ballinasloe, and to progress flood relief schemes in Clifden and, in time, Portumna, and those schemes will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi-annual capital allocation.
232. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the upgrading of Bawnboy Garda station, County Cavan will proceed to construction stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55679/21]
View answerThe re-opening of Bawnboy Garda Station is part of the 'Pilot Programme of Station re-openings'.
The tender evaluation for Bawnboy Garda Station is now complete. This matter is the subject of ongoing discussion between An Garda Síochána and the Office of Public Works.
The programme for the works will take about 12 weeks to complete.
233. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the works carried out at Emo Court from 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will provide details of the derogation licenses associated with the works. [55705/21]
View answerDue to the detailed nature of the request I am advised that my colleagues will respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
234. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will extend the deadline for the Irish language executive officer panel due to expire on 31 December 2021 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant delays in placements being offered to successful candidates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55749/21]
View answer235. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the processes for filling executive officer placements to ensure that Irish language executive officer panels are considered alongside general English language panels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55750/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent, statutory body that provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil service.
In relation to the recruitment of fluent Irish speakers to the civil service, such speakers can apply for competitions that specifically require fluency in the Irish language. They can also apply for competitions that do not require fluency in the Irish language and express and, in doing so, indicate their fluency in Irish that may be taken into consideration for assignments to posts that may be vacant should they subsequently come under consideration for appointment. There is nothing to preclude candidates from applying from more than one competition provided they meet all eligibility criteria set out in the respective competition.
PAS forms panels for general civil service positions that candidates are assigned from as and when vacancies are notified to PAS by civil service employers. The number of positions available to any particular panel depends on the demand from Departments/Offices and adherence to their pay and numbers allocations. While every effort is made to endeavour that panels are not large, candidates are advised that placement on a particular panel is no guarantee of appointment to a position arising from their participation in a particular competition. PAS has continued to serve all requests for candidates to be assigned from panels throughout the pandemic.
In relation to the Irish Executive Officer panels formed from the 2019 competitions, my Department has already authorised PAS to extend the expiry date of the current Irish Executive Officer panels by three months to 31 December 2021, with a notification having issued to candidates on panels to this effect by PAS. A new Irish Executive Officer competition is due to be undertaken by PAS in January 2022 from which all future assignments will be made. I consider this an appropriate timeframe in terms of striking a balance between how long candidates may remain on panels against the need to refresh panels by allowing applications from those either not eligible at the closing date or who did not meet the standard at a point in time for a particular competition.
The Deputy will be aware that the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill, currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, proposes a 20% Irish language fluency target for all new hires to the public service by 2030 in line with Programme for Government commitments. The implementation of the Government’s Rural Development Strategy “Our Rural Future” that was launched in March by the Minister for Community and Rural Development, may also provide enhanced opportunities for Irish-speaking roles in the public service in the years ahead.
236. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that elected members of local government can benefit from EU funding such as the European Territorial Co-operation programme (or Interreg); if his Department supports councillors and their communities to access this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46326/21]
View answerETC (Interreg) Funding is available to Irish Stakeholders through a number of EU Funding Programmes. Each of these programmes have specific focuses, and funding is allocated under an array of Priorities and Specific Objectives.
Interreg Programmes have regular “Calls” for Funding opportunities, and through Transnational Partnerships, Irish Stakeholders can apply for funding.
In general, the eligibility of stakeholders in Ireland to participate in ETC Programmes is not limited and is open to most organisations who wish to apply.
The Local Authority sector in Ireland have historically been very successful in accessing ETC (Interreg) Funding. The Northern & Western Regional Assembly, The Southern Regional Assembly, The Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly and the SEUPB each have Regional/National Contact Points for ETC Programmes and they provide guidance and support to Irish Stakeholders wishing to access ETC (INTERREG) Funding in the following programmes: Northern Periphery and Arctic, North West Europe, Atlantic Area, Interreg Europe, UBRBACT, ESPON and Peace Plus.
237. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacant sites currently managed by the Office of Public Works; and the amount spent on security and maintenance since 2019. [55854/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) manages and maintains a substantial and complex estate - approximately 2,500 properties and sites valued at around €3.3 billion.
It is a diverse portfolio that includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies. The portfolio also houses specialised spaces such as public offices, laboratories, cultural institutions, warehouses, heritage properties, visitor centres and sites.
In any major portfolio, there will always be a certain level of vacant properties and sites. Not all vacant properties and sites are deemed surplus to the State’s requirements or deemed suitable for disposal.
The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies and protocols on the disposal of surplus properties.
As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.
The OPW’s approach to managing vacant properties and sites is first, to establish if the property or site is needed for alternative State use; if it can be re-purposed for Government Departments or the wider public service, including the Land Development Agency and Local Authorities.
A number of strategic properties or sites are retained in case of future State use or development. We have to be in a position to meet demands arising from Government policy changes to public service provision.
Second, if no State use is identified, the OPW considers open market disposal – depending on market conditions.
Third, we may consider community involvement, depending on a detailed submission showing that a community or voluntary group can insure, maintain and manage the property or site.
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there are currently 33 vacant sites.
The maintenance costs for the sites were 2019: €21,500; 2020: €14,400 and 2021 (up to 12 November): €24,400. There were no specific security costs associated with these sites for the years in question.
238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the preparatory work that has been done by his Department to ensure that the Civil Service will be able to provide the services as outlined in the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill 2019 which is likely to be enacted before the end of 2021 which will place extra responsibilities on the civil service in relation to providing services through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55928/21]
View answerThe Deputy will recall that officials from my Department appeared in July before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community. The Committee examined in some detail the recruitment of Irish speakers to the civil service in the context of the ambitious 2030 recruitment targets set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill that is presently before the Houses of the Oireachtas and against the July 2019 audit findings of An Coimisinéir Teanga that highlighted that only c. 0.4% of total positions were presently designated by civil service employers as positions having an Irish language proficiency requirement.
It is clear that the achievement of a 20% recruitment target of proficient Irish speakers by 2030 will require a cross-Government approach. On enactment of the Bill presently before the Oireachtas, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will establish an Advisory Committee on Irish languages services. The functions of this Advisory Committee are set out in the Bill and include the publication of a national plan to increase the provision of services through the medium of Irish that will likely require the consideration of approaches to the future recruitment of Irish speakers in the coming years. The Public Appointments Service, as the principal recruiter for the civil and public service, and my Department will be represented as members on this broader Committee once it has been established.
In the context of actions assigned to my Department under the current Irish Language Action Plan, my Department continues to authorise competitions to attract applications from fluent Irish speakers to specialist positions and to general service posts across the civil service. Irish language training courses continued to be made available to all existing civil servants via OneLearning, which is the Learning and Development Shared Services Centre for the civil service that is based in my Department. OneLearning is at an advanced stage of finalising the procurement of an expanded range of Irish Language training courses from 2022, that will include the introduction of a beginner’s Irish course.
239. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of civil servants in his Department that are able to do their business through Irish, by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55929/21]
View answerMy Department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 and, in particular, the commitments outlined in the Department’s Official Languages Scheme, which is available on the Department's website. Given the nature of its functions and work, my Department does not have a high level of direct contact with, or provide schemes and services directly to, members of the general public. My Department makes every effort to accommodate customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish. To facilitate this, customers can contact my Department at a dedicated Irish Language email address: eolas@per.gov.ie.
The specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of staff in my Department who are able to conduct business through Irish is set out in the table below.
|
Grades (or equivalent) |
Number |
|
Assistant Principal |
3 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
240. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief scheme in Clifden, County Galway; the public consultation that has taken place or is planned in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55940/21]
View answerThe Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for the Erriff - Clew Bay - Blacksod – Broadhaven river basin launched in 2018 includes a recommendation to progress a flood relief scheme for Clifden to alleviate fluvial flooding from the Owenglin River.
In March 2021, Galway Co. Council, acting as the Contracting Authority for the project, invited tenders for the appointment of a consultant to progress the scheme, which included requirements for the environmental assessments associated with a flood relief scheme of this nature.
I am advised by Galway County Council that a consultant was appointed in November 2021 and that the commencement meeting has taken place, with discussions ongoing with respect to the date of the first Public Consultation Day, which will be advertised locally in due course.
OPW provides funding to Galway County Council for a Project Engineer to enable the Council to support the development of the Flood Relief scheme in Clifden, and to progress flood relief schemes in Ballinasloe and, in time, Portumna, and those schemes will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period of the National Development Plan 2021-2030. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi-annual capital allocation.
241. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 23 September 2021, the status of the review of the freedom of information framework; the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55941/21]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for her ongoing interest in this important topic and for allowing me this opportunity to update the House on the progress of my Department's review of the Freedom of Information Act. I am pleased to report that there have been a number of developments in this regard since our last discussion on the matter.
In recent weeks I have published a roadmap for the review, setting out the various steps and timeframes for the process. In brief, this includes a public consultation on the scope of the review, the publication of a consultation paper informed by stakeholder's views on the themes to be addressed and a full consultation in which my Department will seek detailed submissions on the issues.
In addition, my Department is developing a customer satisfaction survey to gauge perceptions of the FOI process, as well as a methodology for estimating the administrative burden and cost of the FOI system. As the review progresses, these key information gathering activities will be supplemented by a desk-based review of international best practices, interviews, focus groups, regional events and other activities as required.
This is a ambitious programme of work in the interests of a careful and thorough review of the FOI system. The review will conclude with a report and recommendations, which is scheduled for mid-2022.
I want to encourage all stakeholders to get involved in this important review, from the public sector to the media, academia, activists and interest groups, as well as individual requesters.
In line with this approach, my Department last week launched the initial public consultation on the scope of the review. The consultation includes a convenient online web form through which individuals can have their say, as well as submissions from public bodies, advocacy and other representative groups.
This has received a very positive response to date, with almost 200 responses received within 24 hours of launch, and a steady stream of further submissions since then. The consultation will be open until 17th December, I would encourage all interested parties to participate in this process.
