Written Answers Nos. 242-263
242. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times the natural water retention measures working group met in 2020 and to date 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55942/21]
View answerThe Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) Working Group was established to advise the National Technical Implementation Group of the Water Framework Directive on the use of NWRM as part of a broader suite of mitigation measures that could contribute to the achievement of environmental objectives set out in the second River Basin Management Plan.
The working group met three times in 2019 and once in 2020. The working group produced two reports, Overview and Recommendations for Use in Ireland and Evidence and Opportunities for use in Ireland. These reports were both finalised in 2020 and presented to the National Technical Implementation Group for their consideration.
The NWRM Working Group having completed its work in 2020 did not meet in 2021.
243. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will intervene to secure a building in danger of collapse (details supplied). [55947/21]
View answerSection 28 of the State Property Act, 1954 provides that the property of dissolved companies at the date of dissolution becomes property of the State. Such property vests in the Minister for Pubic Expenditure and Reform. The interest acquired by the Minister can be described as a ‘defeasible interest’ as it may be defeated by the restoration of the company within 20 years of dissolution.
I am advised by my officials that the lands surrounding Vernonmount House were owned by V.M. Development Company Ltd. This company is dissolved and these lands may have devolved to the State.
However, the House and it’s immediate curtilage contained in Folio CK136041F is owned by a separate company Vernonmount House Restoration Ltd. This company is live, its annual returns are up to date and the CRO status is Normal. Therefore, the House and it’s immediate curtilage is not deemed to be vested in the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the State Property Act 1954 and, that being the case, the OPW has no role in this matter.
245. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount both as a percentage and in euro of the National Development Plan which was allocated to development outside of Dublin; and the amount both as a percentage and in euro of Budget 2022 which was allocated to projects, schemes and developments outside of Dublin. [54433/21]
View answerAs part of Project Ireland 2040 (PI2040), the National Development Plan (NDP), published on 4th October 2021, sets out the Government’s over-arching investment framework and broad direction for investment priorities for this decade.
My Department allocates expenditure on a departmental basis, not a geographic basis. This is the case with both the NDP and Budget 2022.
The NDP therefore includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure is aimed at supporting the delivery of the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF), which sets the overarching spatial strategy for the next two decades. The ten NSOs are Compact Growth, Enhanced Regional Accessibility, Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities, Sustainable Mobility, A Strong Economy, supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills High-Quality International Connectivity, Enhanced Amenity and Heritage, Transition to a Climate-Neutral and Climate Resilient Society, Sustainable Management of Water and other Environmental Resource and finally Access to Quality Childcare, Education and Health Services.
The NPF targets 75 per cent of growth to take place outside Dublin, with 25 per cent of growth to be across the four regional cities combined (Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford) and 50 per cent of growth to occur in key regional centres, towns, villages and rural areas, as determined in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) and local authority development plans.
As the NDP is a high-level financial and budgetary framework it does not outline a comprehensive list of all the public investment projects that will take place over the next ten years. However, where sufficient planning and evaluation has already taken place, the NDP contains a large range of expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments.
Additionally, it should be noted that DPER, in carrying out its role in coordinating the NDP Review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and Agencies. Individual projects are generally selected by Departments or Agencies based on a detailed process which begins with setting their own sectoral strategy and goals, and then subsequently identifying specific needs or challenges to be addressed, whether that be through regulation, taxation, education or potentially expenditure on an investment project. Appropriate options are then assessed in line with the Public Spending Code.
For an extensive list of projects that are currently planned as part of PI2040, the Deputy might consider the publications that were published alongside the NDP, particularly the updated Investment tracker, which provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. The NDP is also accompanied with MyProjectIreland mapping tool which provides details on specific projects by county, including smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Please access the gov.ie/2040 page in order to check out the tracker and map.
The earlier these projects are in the project life cycle the higher the level of uncertainty in relation to risks and costs. It wouldn’t be wise to try and provide a false sense of certainty on exactly how projects will fare as they proceed through all the necessary approval processes. As such, projects which are further along the project life cycle have more accurate cost and timeline estimates. A project without a finalised business case, a developed design, or planning approval is unlikely to have accurate estimates, particularly where these projects are potentially large and complex.
An analysis of this data was undertaken as part of Phase 1 of the NDP review published in April 2021 on gov.ie/2040. The analysis examined whether investment in the NDP was aligned with the targets set out in the NPF. The data examined shows a clear spread in the number of investment projects across the three regions, largely in line with the NPF growth targets. The regional cities in particular appear to have a lower share of investment projects over €20 million and €100 million compared to their planned growth, suggesting investment may be taking place in the wider regions rather than within the regional cities at present.
246. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the updates being considered to the Public Spending Code; the timeline for these updates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56020/21]
View answerAs part of ongoing reforms to strengthen existing guidance in ensuring the efficient and effective management of public investments, my Department is undertaking a number of updates to the Public Spending Code. These are described below.
Capital projects
In relation to the Public Spending Code capital expenditure guidance, A Guide to Evaluating, Planning and Managing Public Investment, 2019, the update of the Public Spending Code in 2019 highlighted the need for strengthened assurance of major projects over €100m. There are currently over fifty of these projects in the Exchequer funded element of the NDP. Major projects are usually complex, bespoke, and the risks associated with them tend to materialise. Cost overruns and/or delays on these projects can have a significant knock on impact on the rest of the capital programme. International evidence suggests that the single most effective guard against major project failure is the incorporation of an independent external review prior to project commencement.
My Department is introducing an External Assurance Process for major public capital projects in excess of €100m. This will involve independent expert reviews at two key stages in the project life cycle under the Public Spending Code (Approval in principal and prior to tender). This will allow for robust scrutiny of the costs underpinning major public investment proposals, and the consideration given to issues such as risk, delivery and governance in the business case for the proposal. This change is due to be actioned imminently within November 2021 and has been discussed at Government in recent weeks.
My Department has established a framework of appropriate external reviewers to conduct the assurance reviews at key milestones in project delivery. It is a mandatory requirement for all funding departments to participate in the process for major projects over €100m. This framework is in place and will be utilised once projects over €100m reach the key decision gates for Government approval.
Current expenditure
In relation to the Public Spending Code current expenditure guidance, Guidelines for Evaluating, Planning and Managing Current Expenditure, 2012 my Department has received support from the EU Commission to review and improve the existing process for ex-ante appraisal of current expenditure proposals. The purpose is to strengthen the existing guidance to better align the ex-ante appraisal process with International best practices that are relevant to Ireland and the project also aims to highlight new ex-ante appraisal methods and ongoing evaluation processes stemming from the national wellbeing budget framework.
It is expected that the revised elements of the Public Spending Code relating to the ex-ante appraisal of ‘current’ expenditure will be published in Q1 2023.
Climate Change
I am conscious that it is critical that the Public Spending Code provide a realistic assessment of the likely climate and environmental consequences of public investments.
My Department has a full programme of works for the evolution of the Public Spending Code to ensure that it is compatible with the Government’s enhanced climate ambition. In the first instance, the priority will be to significantly increase the cost associated with any release of additional greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Each cost benefit analysis must provide an assessment of the net impact of the proposal on greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions are then priced according to a schedule of values based on the estimated marginal cost society will incur to reach specific climate targets. In other words, any project that results in greenhouse gas emissions must price these emissions at what it will likely cost society to reach our climate targets by adopting an offsetting measure that will reduce emissions. It is expected that my Department will undertake and publish an assessment on the suitability of existing PSC appraisal methodologies (such as marginal abatement cost (MAC) – derived shadow cost of carbon) in light of 2050 statutory target. The expected date for this work is Q4 2023.
In 2019, my Department tripled the price of carbon applied in the Code. This re-appraisal of the cost of carbon was based on the estimated costs associated with achieving a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Since then, the Government’s climate ambitions have been considerably strengthened. Now Ireland intends to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent by 2030 and to reach a carbon neutral economy by 2050, with any remaining emissions balanced by the removal of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. This means that the price applied in the Public Spending Code must be updated to reflect this enhanced ambition. It is expected that a new shadow price of carbon will be applied to all Government investment appraisal, this work is expected to take place in Q2 2022.
In addition, work has commenced with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on evolving further aspects of the Public Spending Code. A new model for assessing the emissions impact of infrastructure investment will be progressed to ensure that the full range of potential consequences for this type of investment are captured and valued appropriately. This work will consider how such assessments are performed at the moment and what reforms might be implemented to improve these assessments. The project will also examine how investments that may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change should be appraised. My Department plan to publish a study in Q4 2022 that determines whether the climate and environmental treatment of infrastructure emissions is appropriate in the PSC and implement any reforms deemed necessary.
Finally, work will be progressed on understanding the role of an instrument like the Code, in a scenario where net zero greenhouse emissions must be achieved by 2050 and the role that the Public Spending Code can play in the achievement of broader environmental objectives.
Ultimately, the objective of this programme of work is to allow Government to take decisions that are fully informed by the best possible evidence on the consequences of these decisions.
Public Spending Code guidance will be updated periodically as appropriate to ensure that it continues to reflect best practice and best available analysis, remains relevant and is as user-friendly as possible.
247. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the contracts for the construction of the new Bailieborough Garda station have not being signed; when it is expected this will happen; the reason for such delays given that the design plans were signed off on as far back as 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56072/21]
View answerThe contract for this project has been placed and it is expected that construction works will begin before the end of the year.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has identified particular tendencies in the context of public spending, current or capital, including inflationary elements which may require corrective measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56138/21]
View answer251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that public spending continues to proceed as anticipated notwithstanding the ongoing impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56141/21]
View answer255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his preferred options to meet ongoing social and economic requirements in the context of current and capital expenditure in line with prudent management but placing sufficient emphasis on important structures such as housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56145/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 251 and 255 together.
As set out in the most recent Fiscal Monitor, total gross voted expenditure at end-October was €67.5 billion. While this is almost €2 billion ahead on the same period in 2020, it is over €2.4 billion or 3.5% below the level of spending that had been profiled for this period. Of this, gross current expenditure at the end of October of €62.5 million was €0.9 billion or 1.5% behind profile. Capital spending of €5.1 billion was €1.5 billion or 22.9% behind profile with the public health restrictions in place earlier in the year, including the shutdown of construction, impacting on the spending plans of Departments.
Departments may carryover up to 10% of the capital envelopes by way of deferred surrender to the following year for spending in that year on priority capital programmes and over €0.7 billion was carried over from 2020 into 2021. As outlined in the Expenditure Report 2022, based on estimates provided by Departments it is currently expected that a broadly similar amount will be carried over from 2021 into 2022.
Responding to the challenges posed by both Covid-19 and Brexit has been a key priority in recent budgets, with significant funds allocated to provide counter-cyclical supports. Indeed, to respond to the pandemic, approximately €30 billion in funding has been made available for direct Covid-19 related expenditure supports throughout 2020 and 2021. This provision has enabled the introduction of a wide range of support schemes and measures across Government and has been targeted at supporting our health service to respond to the crisis, to provide income supports to people who lost their jobs, and to ensure the survival of enterprises beyond Covid.
While such a counter-cyclical approach was both appropriate and necessary, the ongoing cost has been significant. As we look forward, this Government remains committed to improving the long-term potential of the economy through carefully planned investment. Accordingly, Budget 2022 was prepared in line with our medium term fiscal strategy and reflects our commitment to:
- Return the public finances to a more sustainable position;
- Address our infrastructure challenges including in the key areas of housing and climate action;
- Invest in our health care system;
- Continue to enhance our other core public services and social supports; and
- Ensure a balanced recovery from the pandemic.
Key to this strategy is the commitment to grow core expenditure programmes broadly in line with the trend growth rate of the economy, or by an annual average of just over 5 per cent, over the period to 2025 in tandem with the phased withdrawal of the exceptional funding for Covid supports and measures introduced to deal with the adverse consequences of Brexit.
Adopting this approach to expenditure growth will ensure an appropriate buffer against the risks of pro-cyclicality and inflation. Furthermore, the expenditure strategy also allows for steady improvements in public services while, at the same time, narrowing the deficit and stabilising the debt-income ratio.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which FEMPI restoration has been completed across all income brackets throughout the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56139/21]
View answerThe process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016 – 2018, with the remainder of the process largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 (PSSA). This will continue under ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021 – 2022’.
At this point, salary rates up to €150,000, which accounts for 99% of the public service, have been fully restored. Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 sets out restoration for public servants in with annualised basic salaries above €150,000, which is due on 1 July 2022 and will complete the unwinding of FEMPI in relation to pay.
Each year, under the terms of the FEMPI Act 2013, I am obliged to carry out an annual review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the FEMPI Acts, having regard to the overall economic conditions in the State and national competitiveness. In this annual review, I am also to consider whether or not any of the provision of the relevant Acts continue to be necessary having regard to the purposes of those Acts, the revenues of the State and State commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions.
The 2021 annual review, a written report of which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 25th June 2021, recommended the continuation of the unwinding of the FEMPI measures in line with the provisions enacted in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date in regard to the preparation of a successor to OPS2020 by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56140/21]
View answerThe goal of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure and by leading and enabling reform across the Civil and Public Service.
As part of this, the Reform Division has driven and overseen the implementation of Our Public Service 2020 (OPS2020), a framework for development and innovation in the wider Public Service, launched at end 2017. OPS2020 has focused on supporting sustainable, continuous progress across the Public Service in order to build a stronger public service and to deliver better quality services and outcomes to the public.
The development of the successor to OPS2020 is currently underway, with a view to publishing by end of Q2 2022. A Project Board is being established in Q4 2021 to oversee its development and internal consultations have commenced.
Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 117.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the performance in both the public and private sectors with a view to ensuring a reasonable degree of equality throughout the economy in terms of opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56143/21]
View answerBeginning with a pilot programme introduced for the 2018 budgetary cycle, Equality Budgeting is a way of approaching and understanding the budget as a process that embodies long-standing societal choices about how resources are used, rather than simply a neutral process of resource allocation. In practice, this means that equality budgeting attempts to provide greater information on how proposed or ongoing budgetary decisions impact on particular groups in society, thereby integrating equality concerns into the budgetary process.
Equality objectives and indicators are published every year in the REV and the Public Service Performance Report. The initial focus of Equality Budgeting was on gender, following which the initiative was extended to other dimensions of equality. An Expert Advisory Group was established to guide development of Equality Budgeting policy, and has met regularly since September 2018. In 2019, the OECD published a report on Equality Budgeting in Ireland, providing 12 recommendations on how to drive this initiative forward. Implementation of the report's recommendations is now at an advanced stage.
In line with the OECD recommendation to develop an equalities data strategy, the CSO completed a data audit in cooperation with my Department, to ascertain the availability of public service data that is disaggregated by equality dimension. A report on this audit was published in October 2020.
In order to support the continuing development of performance budgeting in Ireland, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform has been successful in its application to the EU’s Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP). The project that the EU is funding under this Programme is providing Ireland with the opportunity to work with technical experts from the EU and OECD as well as other international experts in order to take stock of how effectively performance budgeting has been working and to consider future directions for ongoing reform drawing on international best practice (e.g., enhance accountability and transparency, upgrade existing budgeting and financial management systems and processes). This project also takes cognisance of the other reform initiatives (e.g., equality budgeting, green budgeting, and well-being budgeting).
Earlier this year, Government agreed to the establishment of an inter-departmental group for Equality Budgeting to facilitate the embedding of the initiative across all Government departments. This group has met twice this year and will meet again this week, and plays a key role in guiding the continued progress of Equality Budgeting.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects the various targets in Project Ireland 2040 to be achieved on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56144/21]
View answerThe NDP 2021-30 was published on 4th October, committing to an overall investment of €165 billion in the years from 2021 to 2030.
It is important to acknowledge that the majority of public investment projects are delivered on budget and on time and there is a high level of professionalism across the sectors. Reforms are ongoing in governance and broader capability to help ensure successful delivery.
The Projects and Programmes Tracker was also updated amongst other publications with the launch of the NDP; this provides detailed information about the progress made on the implementation of Government’s investment priorities in the coming years.
The Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board, comprises Secretaries General of the major capital spending department and oversees the delivery of the NDP. The Delivery Board is being extended with up to 5 new members to bring additional expert knowledge, independent and regional perspectives, and an enhanced challenge function.
Departments, Agencies and Public Bodies are constantly seeking to ensure that they have the necessary resources in place in terms of staff, structures and skills to deliver on their commitments. There are a number of ongoing measures which seek to further develop the capacity of the public sector over the coming period and ensure the effective delivery of the NDP. These include:
- the establishment of a Commercial Skills Academy in the Office of Government Procurement;
- the establishment of the Public Infrastructure Network (the InfraNet) for those involved in capital project delivery;
- expansion of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES);
- a range of reforms in the planning area including the establishment of a new Division of the High Court dealing with planning and environmental issues and
- the commissioning of the Supporting Excellence report through the EU Structural Reform Support Programme to review the capability of the public service to deliver the capital programme. On foot of one of the recommendations in that report, my Department convened an Action Team comprising of internal/external experts to tailor and set out a roadmap for implementation of the proposed solutions in more detail. The Supporting Excellence Action Team published their report alongside the National Development Plan 2021-30. The Action Team’s report includes 34 specific actions aimed at supporting excellence in boosting capability in individual sectors; from the centre, and improving co-ordination and guidance to support excellence on a system wide basis.
Detailed analysis by my Department, supported by a cross-sectoral working group, has concluded that two new elements are needed to strengthen the assurance process for major public investment projects to provide more structured scrutiny.
These two elements are:
- The introduction of an independent external review of projects over €100m at two major decision gates in the project life cycle and
- A Major Projects Advisory Group to support my Department in assimilating the outputs from the external reviews in quality assuring the strengthened process.
These reforms, alongside ongoing engagement with the construction sector regarding capacity and innovation, will help ensure the effective delivery of Project Ireland 2040 on time and on budget.
256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which reforms throughout the public sector remain in place to ensure accountability, collective responsibility and good value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56146/21]
View answerI thank the Deputy for the question.
Continuous reform of our public services has been an integral part of this Department's function since its establishment in 2011. In view of the significant and pervasive impacts experienced as a consequence of the Covid19 crisis, the Government's programme of reform and modernisation is particularly relevant as we seek to return our economy and society to full recovery.
In accordance with the Department's Statement of Strategy, officials are currently preparing the next phase of public service reform (to succeed Our Public Service 2020) which will incorporate priorities that were articulated in the recently published Public Service Innovation Strategy, Making Innovation Real in addition to ambitions set out in the programme of renewal for the Civil Service (CSR 2030), as they relate to the wider Public Service. Additionally, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in my Department is currently finalising a new Public Service Digital Strategy and the Department and it is likely that these priorities would feature in our future reform plans as well.
In terms of collective responsibility and accountability for the implementation of reform in the Public Service, this Department established and currently chairs the Public Service Management Group and Public Service Leadership Board, drawn from senior management across the Public Service, to ensure coherence of the reform efforts across the wider Public Service.
As regards the drive for more value for money all public organisations are required to treat public funds with care, and to ensure that the best possible value for money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. This is in accordance with the Public Spending Code. Moreover, Action 5 of Our Public Service 2020 (Action 5) emphasises the need to ensure value-for-money principles are adhered to across the Public Service.
As part of this broader approach to ensuring value for money, the introduction of shared services and centralised procurement in earlier phases of reform have been further integrated in public service operations and expanded into new areas. These expansions will continue apace and this Department is actively exploring new areas and mechanisms to further embed reforms that will enhance the cost-effectiveness of public services; for example, through greater use of opportunities presented through digitalisation, intelligent automation, innovation and the implementation of new ways of working and service design.
The Deputy may also wish to note that by agreeing to the Public Service Pay Agreement ‘Building Momentum’, parties have committed to the ongoing reform and development of public services to meet the changing needs of citizens, communities, businesses and the staff who deliver our public services.
Parties have agreed to maintain the momentum for reform and to continue co-operation with regard to flexibility and change to support effective responses to the challenges posed by COVID-19, recognising the need to look beyond traditional ways of working, where necessary and appropriate, and to manage change to ensure high quality public services, high performance, the maintenance and development of staff skills and competencies, and the delivery of measurable outcomes for the public.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the impact of Brexit on the public and private sectors with a view to addressing such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56147/21]
View answerThe full implications of the UK’s departure from the EU remain to be seen but clearly will be significant. This is why the Government has been working to prepare for Brexit for several years. Our total Brexit related expenditure since the UK referendum on EU membership is now more than €1 billion.
Within my Department Brexit issues are coordinated by a dedicated Unit dealing with EU, Brexit and international issues, with an attaché based in Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. The Unit leads on EU and international work across the Department and its agencies, and represents the Department on the various groups that coordinate the Government's response to Brexit.
One of my Department’s principal Brexit priorities is the EU funding available to Ireland under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The purpose of the Reserve is to help counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit in the sectors and Member States that are worst affected.
Ireland will receive just over €1 billion of Brexit funding, the biggest single allocation for any Member State, representing just over 20% of the total fund. As the Member State most impacted by Brexit, it is appropriate that we would be the largest beneficiary.
BAR funding will be directed at areas such as enterprise supports; supports for the fisheries and agri-food sectors; reskilling and retraining; and checks and controls at our ports and airports.
258. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is a protocol in place governing Ministerial appointments to public bodies; if so, the details of the protocol; and if there are sanctions for Ministers who do not adhere to this protocol. [56165/21]
View answerThe Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards was published by my Department in November 2014 and sets out the processes for the appointment of members to State Boards. These guidelines are available online at www.stateboards.ie. The guidelines apply to all appointments to State Boards.
259. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the multi-annual expenditure ceilings and the carryover impact of current expenditure measures announced in Budget 2022 for 2023 will be provided in the same format as provided in table 7, page 47 of Budget 2020. [56180/21]
View answerThe Departmental expenditure ceilings for 2022 are set out on pages 8 and 9 of the Expenditure Report 2022, with the NDP capital ceilings for the period to 2025 set out in Table 1 on page 249 of the Expenditure Report. As outlined in the NDP, the NDP ceilings include projects funded under the NRRP, with this amount set out in Table 1 on page 20 of the Expenditure Report.
In line with Expenditure Report 2021, indicative current expenditure ceilings for future years will be published later this year, with final ceilings for 2023 and 2024 being fixed as part of the estimates process in respective years, within the overall expenditure parameters set out in the Summer Economic Statement and Expenditure Report 2022, reflecting budgetary decisions at that time, the unwinding of Covid-19 related expenditure and the allocation of funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
Under the expenditure strategy set out in the Summer Economic Statement a provision of 3% of the core current expenditure base has been made for existing level of service (ELS) costs for the period to 2025. This is a different approach to that taken previously where an amount was set aside for demographics in Health, Education, and Social Protection; the cost of pay deals; and the carryover of prior year Budget measures only.
The provision of 3% is based on budgets in previous years, and an assessment of the position in advance of Budget 2022 and provides a better estimate of the costs of maintaining ELS and therefore a better assessment of the amount available for new measures to enhance public services including social welfare supports.
The indicative amounts for years 2023 -2025 are given in Box 2.1 of the Mid-Year Expenditure Report. As outlined in this Report, an ELS provision of up to €2.1 billion is estimated to be required in Budget 2023 and the associated costs of the carryover impact of current expenditure measures announced in Budget 2022 in 2023 will be provided from this provision, with the actual carryover cost dependent on the rollout of Budget measures and any impact that the position with the virus has on expenditure plans.
260. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position to be employed by social dancing event organisers under the public health guidelines in respect of booking in advance using computers they may not be familiar with and other pertinent information or clarification that can be provided to this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56008/21]
View answerThe latest guidelines for venues operating for the purpose of live entertainment and nightclubs, published by my Department, are available on the gov.ie website (here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/). Operational guidelines for a range of tourism and hospitality businesses are available on the Fáilte Ireland website (covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/). These guidelines are designed to assist businesses to reopen and operate safely through the ongoing pandemic, in line with relevant Government public health advice and related Regulations.
Social dancing events are permitted in venues operating for the purpose of live entertainment and nightclubs that meet all of the criteria set out in the guidelines and related regulations – including, among other things, the requirement that the event be e-ticketed for contact tracing purposes and that the venue holds the appropriate licences for such an event.
For indoor gatherings and social events in general hospitality venues not covered by these guidelines, however, the key message is that people should remain seated with food and beverage consumed at the table and no intermingling between tables.
261. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the costs to date spent by Fáilte Ireland in relation to its Visioning Report for Lough Muckno Estate, Castleblayney and the surrounding area; the estimated further cost in respect of the same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55682/21]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
262. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans that are being put in place to support mná tí financially and otherwise when the coláistí samhraidh resume in 2022 in view of the challenges that they have faced in 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55709/21]
View answerMy Department is operating on the basis and the expectation that Irish language colleges will be in a position to re-open in 2022 and, accordingly, the Department will continue to assist the sector primarily by way of administering Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.
Under the scheme, a daily subsidy is payable to eligible Gaeltacht families who provide accommodation for those attending one of the recognized summer colleges in the Gaeltacht. The purpose of this assistance is to reduce the overall cost of attending an Irish language college.
This daily subsidy is worth €10 per day (equivalent to €220 per student for a three-week course), benefiting over 26,000 students per year while staying in any of the c. 700 families throughout the Gaeltacht identified under the scheme. This represents a state investment of over €4m in support of the sector annually.
The scheme and the Irish colleges sector which it supports provide valuable additional language acquisition and enrichment opportunities in the Gaeltacht for post-primary and third level students, and beyond the schoolroom-setting.
The scheme is in line with the Government's overall objectives for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht as set out in Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 and the overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030 which represent Government policy in relation to the language.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department has established three separate funds this year to further stabilize the sector as a result of COVID-19. The latest fund, worth up to € 1.7m which is currently being successfully disbursed is aimed at college authorities.
This particular support measure follows the announcement over the summer of another two funds worth almost € 2.5m in total. Those measures were aimed at supporting the sector's accommodation providers as well as those involved in the administration on a voluntary basis of community halls which cater for the sector. It is worth noting that the fund provided this year for accommodation providers is 25% higher than the 2020 fund while no fund was provided for the community halls in 2020.
My Department hopes to shortly conclude the processing of applications under the aforementioned fund aimed at supporting the colleges themselves. From the very positive feedback received to date from across the sector in relation to all three funds, including from CONCOS the colleges' umbrella body, I am satisfied that the sector widely recognises and acknowledges the success of the measures devised and implemented by my Department in the most efficient and effective manner possible in the circumstances.
In addition to these measures capital funding continues to be deployed in support of the sector on an ongoing basis under the Department's Community and Language Supports Programme.
I have no doubt that this suite of measures will enable the sector to successfully resume in 2022.
The Deputy can be assured that I will continue to be a strong advocate for the sector as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht.
263. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the cost of employing safeguarding officers within Sport Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55739/21]
View answer265. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the cost of safeguarding and child protection training within Sport Ireland per person per year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55741/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 265 together.
Sport Ireland acts in a guidance and support capacity to over 60 recognised National Governing Bodies of Sport in the area of safeguarding and child protection. This function is led by the Ethics Unit in Sport Ireland where there is a team of people dedicated to the implementation of Sport Ireland’s safeguarding programme.
Sport Ireland’s remit is to develop and disseminate guidelines and codes of practice promoting best practice for the protection of children in sport consistent with child protection legislation.
Sport Ireland does not employ Safeguarding Officers within Sport Ireland. Safeguarding Officers in clubs and organisations are sports leaders and adults who are involved in the organisation of sport for children and young people on a voluntary basis.
The goal of Sport Ireland’s safeguarding programme is to promote awareness of best practice and legal requirements in the area of safeguarding and child protection. To advance this function, Sport Ireland offers three workshops in the area of safeguarding and child protection.
- Safeguarding 1 - Basic Awareness – (all coaches)
- Safeguarding 2 – Club Children Officer (role specific)
- Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person (role specific)
Sport Ireland does not directly deliver these training workshops. These workshops are delivered by trained safeguarding tutors via the network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships around the country. Some National Governing Bodies of Sport also deliver these workshops directly to their members.
Sport Ireland supports 29 Local Sports Partnerships to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport at local level and increase levels of participation in sport and physical activity. Core investment to the Local Sports Partnerships has been increasing year on year, from €4.9 million in 2014 to €8.2 million in 2020.
This investment supports the core work of the network, including the delivery of national programmes, education and training initiatives, strategic development, Community Sports Development Officers (CSDO), the Sports Inclusion Disability programme, Women in Sport programmes and general participation programmes.
Sport Ireland will continue to develop and invest in its ethics programme to ensure children and young people’s experiences of sport are fun, enjoyable and conducted in the spirit of fair play.
