Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an update will be provided on the implementation of the recommendations and next steps from the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has been actively progressing the various elements of the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study, Post Consultation Report, June 2021, since its adoption by my Office. Over 2,200 submissions were received from members of the public, stakeholders and elected representatives. Five common themes emerged as follows: - walking & cycling; access, gates & roads; public transport; movement within the park and public consultation. The recommendations contained within the report were to be advanced in three phases, over the next seven years. With regard to Phase 1 (years 0-2), the following proposals have been activated by my department as set out within the report.
A programme of improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure commenced in 2021 with the instillation of over 2.5km of re-laid footpaths along the North road which greatly improved the quality and alignment of the footpath surface. Dropped kerbs were installed at strategic points along the route to ensure universal access for all. A series of small local footpath upgrades have also taken place.
The design and plans for the 4.5km permanent one directional cycle lanes along Chesterfield Avenue, linking Castleknock to the city, are currently being developed with the National Transport Authority & Dublin City Council. In the interim, the tender has been awarded for the supply and installation of traffic lane separators for the entire length of Chesterfield Avenue, on both sides of the road. Works on site are due to commence in February 2022. Over 8km of temporary cones will be removed and these new durable and strong dividers will ensure a safer experience for both cyclists and vehicles using Chesterfield Avenue. In addition, over 40 new bike stands have been installed throughout the Park with an additional 70 planned for 2022.
The OPW is currently preparing a 3-year programme of pedestrian and cycle improvements including provision of bike parking infrastructure throughout the Park.
Further to the recommendations in the Transport and Mobility Options Report, the implementation of the 9-month pilot study of cul-de-sacs on the North Road & Upper Glen Road will commence on Monday 28 February 2022. The North Road will be temporarily closed from 21 February to facilitate enabling works including the instillation of bollards, new road markings, signage etc and will reopen on 28 February as a one-way system, in the City direction only. Likewise, on the Upper Glen Road, enabling works will commence from February 21 to facilitate the installation of bollards, signage and line marking in advance of the pilot cul-de-sacs commencing on the 28 February 2022. Access will not be impacted to those institutions in close proximity to these pilot studies routes.
Traffic data collection points were installed throughout the Phoenix Park in late 2021 and will record vehicular and cycle data over the next 6 months.
Under the theme 'Movement within the Park', the OPW and An Garda Siochana have been actively refining plans for the introduction of a 30kmph speed limit in the Park from 28 February 2022. A robust operations and communications plan will be put in place in advance of the reduction of speed limit from 50kph to 30kph. This measure should see a marked difference in driver behaviour making the Park a safer place for those using it for recreational purposes. An Garda Siochana will monitor compliance with the new speed limit and will take appropriate action when necessary.
Long-stay commuter parking, as well as high levels of illegal parking within and around the perimeter of the Park were identified as a major issue in the Study. As a result. one of the key recommendations of the Study was the development of a Parking Strategy to examine ways in which we can address parking demand and traffic volumes at key attractions such as the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and Dublin Zoo, but also promote the switch to sustainable modes of travel to access the Park, which is a key aspiration of the Transport and Mobility Options Study.
It is expected that the Parking Strategy will primarily be focused on measures related to visitor parking including bike parking, and in light of the aims and objectives of the Transport and Mobility Options Study, emphasis will be on providing for those visitors who have no other option than to use a car to visit the Park. The Strategy will also address the needs of those with mobility issues and their parking requirements. The Strategy will however, also be required to address issues such as long stay commuter parking and illegal parking within the Park.
Given that recommendations for the Phoenix Park could impact the surrounding areas and communities, a secondary study area encompassing residential areas surrounding the Park will also be considered when assessing the impacts of proposed options that might be developed as part of the overall Parking Strategy for the Park.
I can also advise that the National Transport Authority is currently trialling bus options for the Park and they do hope to have recommendations in early 2022 for the best options available to serve the Phoenix Park and surrounding areas.
The OPW has initiated a review of the legislation pertaining to the bye-laws of the Phoenix Park with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and other relevant Government departments, with regard to the regulation of traffic and parking within the Phoenix Park.
I’d like to emphasise that I personally have met with the relevant public representatives on a number of occasions at key stages in the process over the last eighteen months with a view to listening and understanding the concerns of constituents with regard to transport and mobility issues in, and around the Park. My officials have also made detailed presentations to Local Area Committees of both Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council to brief local Councillors on the details of the report as it went to consultation. They also met them again last October to brief them on the recommendations for implementation contained in the final report produced following the public consultation process.
A detailed communications plan is currently being finalised to provide the public with notice of the proposed changes to speed limit within the Park along with the commencement of pilot studies on 28th February. This will include provision of signage throughout the Park, messaging through digital and traditional communications platform along with direct engagement with internal and external park stakeholders.
The OPW is committed to continuing engagement with the public on all of these issues and assures all stakeholders that the conservation and presentation of the Phoenix Park to international best practice while accommodating access for all is paramount.
22. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that adequate measures have been taken in respect of public expenditure and reform to withstand the ongoing impact of Covid-19; if supports for vulnerable sectors will continue in the face of rising Covid-19 infections and the impact this has on several areas of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1969/22]
View answerSignificant direct expenditure supports have been put in place by Government since early 2020 to respond to the impacts of Covid-19. This funding has been critical in supporting our people and businesses impacted by the pandemic and in providing the necessary funding to allow our key public services respond effectively to the crisis. Some €30 billion in additional funding was made available to Departments across 2020 and 2021 for measures related to Covid-19 with provision for up to €7 billion made under Budget 2022. This funding has supported the delivery of key public services while addressing the challenges of Covid-19 and has provided for critical income and employment supports to our workers and businesses, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
Key measures have been extended as necessary since the beginning of the pandemic in order to continue essential support, most recently in response to the impact of the Omicron wave where a number of further measures were agreed by Government including for the EWSS and PUP schemes and measures for particularly impacted sectors.
The careful phased withdrawal of Covid-19 supports is essential both to support society and the economy to recover from the impact of Covid-19, and to return our public finances to a sustainable position. In this context, with the phased withdrawal of supports, it will be important to target measures at those sectors of the economy most affected by the pandemic.
Of the €7 billion available for Covid-19 related measures in 2022, €3.1 billion has already been allocated to Departments, including for projects funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, while €3.9 billion remains held in reserve. This contingency reserve provides Government with the flexibility to respond to the pandemic during 2022 and will be allocated as needed during the year to specific expenditure measures that can be most effective at that particular time.
23. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Office of Public Works engagement to protect the Glendruid Dolmen in Brennanstown, Dún Laoghaire; and if efforts will be made to ensure continued public access to this important historical site. [2480/22]
View answerGlendruid Dolmen in Brennanstown is in the Guardianship of the State. Section 5 of the National Monuments Act (1930) allows owners of other national monuments to appoint the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage or the relevant local authority as guardian of such monuments, subject to their consent. This means in effect that while the property of such a monument remains vested in the owner, its maintenance and upkeep are the responsibility of the State. Glendruid Dolmen is one such monument and it came into State Guardianship in 1931. The then-owner reserved the right to restrict public access to the monument. This remains the position of the current owner today. There is, however, a recognised right-of-way for the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland to access the site for the purpose of maintenance. OPW is committed to its role in the protection, preservation and conservation of all National Monuments in State care, including Glendruid Dolmen in line with its legislative obligation. The OPW has no role in the provision of public access in this instance. Unfortunately, public access cannot be facilitated where a public right-of way is not in place.
24. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans that exist for the expansion of opening hours of the grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham and the War Memorial Gardens to bring them in line with the nearby Phoenix Park OPW site. [2488/22]
View answerIn reply to your question, the Phoenix Park is unique in Ireland, comprising many components that serve a variety of functions. While it is a historic landscape of international significance enjoyed by millions of people on a yearly basis, it is also home to a number of important institutions including St Mary’s Hospital, Garda Headquarters and Aras an Uachtarain, all of which require 24 hour access. Further, it occupies a strategic position within the greater Dublin area, as the main road of the Park, Chesterfield Avenue, is a major artery linking the Castleknock/Blanchardstown area to the city, which is also regularly utilised by emergency services over the 24 hour period.
With regard to the Irish National War Memorial Gardens (INWMG) and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (Royal Hospital, Kilmainham) (IMMA), these parks and gardens are solely utilised for recreational, commemorative and cultural purposes with no requirement for 24-hour access.
The Irish National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge occupy an area of about eight hectares on the southern banks of the River Liffey, almost opposite the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park and approximately three kilometres from the centre of Dublin. The gardens commemorate the 49,400 soldiers who lost their lives in the WWI and some 450,000 people visit these exquisite and tranquil gardens on an annual basis.
Works on the iconic Royal Hospital commenced in 1680 to accommodate ‘the aged and maimed officers and soldiers’ from the Irish armies and was largely completed and occupied by 1687. The baroque gardens and surrounding grounds have been recreated to offer the public opportunities to appreciate culture, biodiversity and designed landscapes, while providing the setting for the Royal Hospital.
Both the INWMG and IMMA are culturally sensitive locations with historic buildings and fragile landscapes, which are enjoyed by nearly one million recreational visitors on an annual basis, during daylight hours. It is important to note that similar locations throughout Ireland managed by Local Authorities such as Malahide Castle grounds, closes every evening from 4pm to 9pm depending on the season. Likewise areas within the Phoenix Park such as the Peoples Gardens operate similar opening hours to Malahide Castle, INWMG and IMMA.
While the grounds of the INWMG are open via a right of way along the Liffey, the park gates are open from Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 4pm/ 9pm depending on the season and from 9.30am on Sundays.
The grounds of IMMA are open to the public, Monday to Saturday from 8.00am to 6.30pm and on Sundays from 11.00am. They are closed on Good Friday and 24 December to 26 December.
The opening and closing times for both the INWMG and IMMA should not be considered in the same light as the Phoenix Park, given their distinct differences in scale and functions. Further, both INWMG and IMMA were designed to be utilised during daylight hours and would pose a serious risks to the public’s safety should they be opened during the hours of darkness. In addition, neither park has sufficient public lighting nor staff in order to maintain the appropriate levels of security that would be required to protect the public, monuments and buildings etc.
Accordingly, the OPW has no plans to alter the general opening times of the Irish National War Memorial Gardens or the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art at present, but will keep the opening times under review.
25. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital expenditure allocated for infrastructure projects for County Cork for 2022; the projects for which this funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2594/22]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of the individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. My Department therefore allocates expenditure on a departmental basis, not a geographic basis.
The NDP 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.
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. For an extensive list of projects that are currently planned as part of Project Ireland 2040, the Deputy might consider the publications that were published alongside the NDP in October 2021, particularly the updated Investment tracker. The tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million, including the location of the projects where possible. The tracker includes a number of major projects directly related to Cork. The tracker also includes a facility to search by county and user-friendly dashboards and other information to aid interpretation of the data.
Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map includes over 900 projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, including smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. By clicking on the map on gov.ie/2040, citizens will find updated information on what has been achieved and what is planned for their own local area. The latest version of the map features a dashboard with charts, allowing citizens to see the progress being made on projects at a glance. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 in the Southern Region have been published for 2018, 2019 and 2020. The reports set out the regional projects and programmes, which are being planned and delivered in the Southern Region as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040, the Government’s National Planning Framework and National Development Plan. While this document does not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure in the region, it does serve to highlight the diverse range of investments being made by the State under Project Ireland 2040, including in County Cork.
The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
26. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has a workplace policy on domestic and sexual violence and abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60806/21]
View answerThere is not currently a specific internal workplace policy on domestic and sexual violence and abuse in the Civil Service, however, the Civil Service does have a policy covering unpaid leave for domestic reasons of up to two months (Circular 05/2010: Force Majeure and Other Urgent Family Reasons Leave) circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/2010/05.pdf
A commitment has been made in the Programme for Government to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is advancing work on this proposal.
As the Deputy will be aware, Minister McEntee is currently leading work on a new whole of government Domestic, Sexual, Gender Based Violence strategy.
This, the Third National Strategy will be the most ambitious to date and it will have a particular focus on prevention, and on ensuring victims are better supported. It will set an overall goal of zero tolerance for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
The Strategy will be structured around the four pillars or goals of the Istanbul Convention which are:
- Prevention
- Protection
- Prosecution
- Co-ordinated Policies
The Strategy has been developed in partnership with the sector to ensure it is targeted, comprehensive and effective in achieving all of the goals set out.
In the coming weeks, Minister McEntee will be inviting feedback through a targeted public consultation process on the final draft of the strategy to ensure its focus is on the areas that people feel need the most attention.
The finalised strategy is expected to be brought to Government this spring.
27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the salary costs associated with the secretary general of each Department in 2021. [1748/22]
View answerThe salary rates for Secretary General posts at Level I, II and III are published by my Department at www.gov.ie/en/circulars/.
From the 1st of January 2021 to the 30th of September 2021, the salary rate for Secretary General Level I and Level II was €211,742, and the rate for Secretary General Level III was €200,598.
Section 3.1.3 of Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022 provided for a general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2021.
Reflecting this adjustment, from the 1st of October 2021 until the 31st of December 2021, the salary rate for Secretary General Level I and Level II was €213,859, and the rate for Secretary General Level III was €202,604.
As the Deputy will be aware, a revised salary of €292,000 was sanctioned for recruitment to the post of the Secretary General of the Department of Health, reflecting the challenges and very significant responsibilities attached to this role. Reflecting the adjustment provided under Building Momentum, the rate for the post in the Department of Health with effect from 01 October 2021 is €294,920.
For the information of the Deputy, the Secretary General posts graded at Level I are: Department of Finance; Department of an Taoiseach; and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Secretary General posts graded at Level II are: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment; Department of Justice; Department of Foreign Affairs; Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Department of Social Protection; Department of Education; Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage; Department of Transport; and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Secretary General posts graded at Level III are Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Department of Defence; Department of Rural and Community Development; and Secretary General to the President.
28. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review the guidelines issued by the Office of Government Procurement to Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2279/22]
View answerThe National Public Procurement Policy Framework (NPPPF) consists of five strands:
1. Legislation (Directives, Regulations)
2. Government Policy (Circulars etc.)
3. The Capital Works Management Framework for Public Works and Construction related Services
4. General Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services
5. More detailed technical guidelines, template documentation and information notes as issued periodically by the Policy Unit of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP)
The NPPPF supports contracting authorities in their decision-making when awarding contracts for works, goods and services. The contracting authorities include the Office of Government Procurement, four key sectors (Health, Education, Local Government and Defence), individual Government Departments and Agencies, commercial and non-commercial State bodies, and private entities which are funded by 50% or more by one or more public body. The NPPPF supports and enables public bodies to adopt procedures to meet their public procurement requirements and facilitates compliance with EU and National Procurement Rules.
The Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services (Guidelines) are published on the OGP website (www.ogp.gov.ie) and reviewed periodically to take account of new developments in the area of procurement, the nature of queries to OGP and to clarify aspects which arise. My officials are currently finalising a review of the Guidelines which were published in 2019. An updated version will be published in the first quarter of 2022, incorporating changes that have occurred in the procurement landscape over the last two years. A new section of the Guidelines will focus on Strategic Procurement reflecting the emphasis on leveraging public procurement to yield wider societal benefits. The Office of Government Procurement provides updates and guidance for public procurement practitioners on specific issues from time to time. For example, an updated Brexit Information Note was published in July 2021 and updated COVID Information Note was published in September 2021.
While the Guidelines facilitate and enable compliance with public procurement rules, it is the responsibility of each Contracting Authority to ensure they adhere to these rules.
29. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost to the public service in 2021 of remote working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2358/22]
View answerIt is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister to manage expenditure within their respective allocations. This is the case for all public expenditure, including core expenditure, as well as additional expenditure allocated as part of the response to Covid-19.
The response to the Covid-19 crisis was swift, with many Civil and Public Servants transitioning to working from home at short notice. This was an unprecedented action, but was necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of staff across the system was protected.
No additional expenditure allocations were provided to Departments to facilitate working from home arrangements or flexible working hours across the Civil Service in response to Covid-19. Any additional funding incurred by Departments including in respect of IT resources required has been met from within existing resources.
30. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding provided to date to support the economy and society in dealing with the challenges caused by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62069/21]
View answerSupporting society and the economy has been a Government priority since the onset of the pandemic. Supports were introduced swiftly in 2020, with a range of schemes introduced to support incomes, employment and key public services. Over €16½ billion in funding was made available for measures to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic during 2020, which provided for essential economic and societal supports. This provided additional funding to support our health service in responding to the impact of the pandemic; to support the operation of public transport; and support the reopening of the Education sector. These measures included income and employment support schemes such as the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), along with a range of other business supports such as liquidity supports, restart grants and the commercial rates waivers.
During 2021, as Covid-19 continued to impact, key schemes and supports were extended. In addition to the measures provided for by allocations made to Departments in the Revised Estimates for Covid-19 related measures, the funding held in reserve under Budget 2021 was allocated during the year to provide for measures such as the further extension of the PUP and EWSS schemes, additional supports for businesses and particularly impacted sectors such as live entertainment. Across the year, provision of almost €13½ billion was made for Covid-19 related measures.
For 2022, €3.1 billion in funding to address the impacts of Covid-19 has already been allocated at Departmental level in the 2022 Revised Estimates, including €0.2 billion for projects funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. A further €3.9 billion remains held in reserve, to be allocated if required during the year for targeted measures to address the continued challenges caused by the pandemic. Within this, specific amounts have been earmarked for the Education and Health sectors and for labour market impacts. The contingency funding will be used to support our economy and society over the coming year and will be allocated to specific expenditure measures that can be most effective at that particular time.
31. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of funding for the Community Safety Innovation Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2342/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, last year, the Minister for Justice and I jointly announced our agreement to establish a new fund to further support community safety in recognition of the success of An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau in depriving criminal gangs of the proceeds of crime. Accordingly a provision of €2 million was allocated to the Department of Justice to establish a new Community Safety Innovation Fund as part of the Budget 2022 package.
This funding will support the work of the Community Safety Partnerships and other policy initiatives in the Department of Justice in the areas of Community Safety and Youth Justice and is in addition to the €6.7 million in extra funding which I made available for the Youth Justice Strategy in 2022, which will develop and deliver programmes and early interventions for children and young people in communities across the country. The criteria for the fund is currently being finalised by the Department of Justice and will be announced in the near future with applications to be accepted soon after in Q1 2022.
33. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his role and that of his Department in the implementation of the National Broadband Plan; if he received or contributed to monitoring reports with regard to the project; if not, if he made recommendations or findings with regard to its delivery; if so, the recommendations or findings that have been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2556/22]
View answerImplementation of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is solely the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). Neither I, nor my Department receive any monitoring reports with regard to the project, nor do we make recommendations or findings with regard to its delivery.
As part of standard expenditure management processes, my Department monitors DECC’s monthly expenditure trends, including the NBP. As part of this process, my officials are periodically appraised of significant developments with regard to the progress of the rollout. In addition, as with all major capital projects, the National Investment Office within DPER is provided with updates on the NBP for inclusion in the published National Development Plan Capital Tracker.
34. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on a national policy on flooding which was to have regard to climate change and was committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2551/22]
View answerClimate change projections indicate that flooding events are expected to become more frequent and severe in the future. This will have a considerable impact on flood risk in Ireland, particularly where our cities and most of our main towns are located either on the coast or alongside our estuaries or rivers. Following on from the review of national flood policy, launched in 2018, the OPW Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs) are a roadmap for flood risk management measures that, in conjunction with flood risk schemes already constructed, will provide protection to approximately 95% of properties assessed to be at significant flood risk.
Building on the FRMPs, the OPW has published a Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Flood Risk Management 2019 - 2024, in line with the requirements of the National Adaptation Framework and the Climate Action Plan 2019 . The Sectoral Plan approved by Government in October 2019 includes twenty-one actions that are being implemented during this Strategy to meet the objectives of ongoing research and assessment, adapting our flood risk management practice across Government to effectively manage the potential impacts of climate change on future flood risk.
An Interdepartmental Group to develop a national co-ordinated and integrated coastal change strategy has been established by the Government. It will identify measures to be considered for managing the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment and will set out options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The OPW is jointly chairing the Interdepartmental Group with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Inter-Departmental Group is advancing the drafting and finalising of its report which will be presented to Government for their consideration.
35. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the €7 million allocated in December 2019 to alleviate constrictions to the flow of water in the Shannon Callows between Athlone and Meelick will be drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1774/22]
View answer48. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date on the €7 million investment in the removal of the pinch points on the River Shannon which will address the scale of summer flooding in the Shannon Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1773/22]
View answer55. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken to alleviate constrictions to the flow of water in the Shannon Callows between Athlone and Meelick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1775/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 48 and 55 together.
The Government has noted the study by the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group that supports a programme of strategic maintenance to help mitigate flooding along the River Shannon and a further study on the removal of a series of constrictions or ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows that can help to delay flooding in the area. The Government has agreed that the OPW will provide €7m for all of these works, of which €4m relates to the removal of ‘pinch points’ through the Shannon Callows.
Work is advancing to progress the project for the removal of ‘pinch points’ in the Shannon Callows. A Steering Group has been established to oversee this project and it last met on 16th November, 2021. A scope of work has been drafted for the appointment of a consultant to identify and manage all of the activities that are necessary to progress through the planning process to enable the commencement of these works. This includes the identification and completion of all environmental assessments. It is anticipated that the tendering process for this service will commence in the coming weeks. Waterways Ireland, on behalf of the Shannon Group, will act as the Contracting Authority for this project.
The works can only commence following the completion of the appropriate environmental assessments and after receipt of planning permission. This is a time intensive process and there are a range of variables outside the control of the Shannon Group that may impact on the overall timescale for delivery of the project.
I would like to assure the Deputy that my officials and I have been working with Waterways Ireland to progress this project as soon as possible and I last met with Waterways Ireland on 1st December, 2021 in this regard.
36. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2545/22]
View answerThe Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) 2022 was published on 15 December 2021, presented to the Dáil on the same date and has been referred by the Dáil to the Select Committees for consideration. Just under €83 billion in gross expenditure is allocated across Departments in the REV, with a further €4.6 billion being held in reserve primarily to allow Government respond to the challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit.
Expenditure allocated in Departmental Estimates for Covid-19 related measures amounts to €3.1 billion with a further €3.9 billion set aside in the Covid Contingency Reserves. This brings to €7 billion the total available to support our key public services in responding to the challenges of Covid-19 and to support our workers and businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Separately, the level of resources being set aside for core spending in REV 2022 is significant – just over €80 billion in 2022 compared to just over €70 billion in the pre-Covid REV for 2020.
The REV sets out Departmental capital allocations of €11.1 billion for 2022. Taking into account capital carryover of €0.8 billion from 2021, this leaves almost €12 billion available for Departments for capital spending this year.
The allocations in the REV and the funding held in reserve are focused on:
- addressing our infrastructure challenges including in the key areas of housing and climate action;
- continuing to enhance our public services and social supports;
- providing appropriate supports to address the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 and Brexit; and
- continuing the process of returning the public finances to a more sustainable position.
As in previous years, the REV also includes performance information, which provides details on the public service outputs and outcomes that are being delivered with public funds and includes indicators relating to equality objectives. In March of last year, Government agreed to establish an inter-departmental network on Equality Budgeting in order to further support the implementation of Equality Budgeting across all departments. This work is reflected in the REV 2022 with Equality Budgeting indicators now included for a range of Votes across eighteen Ministerial Vote Groups.
37. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made on the Programme for Government commitment to enhance productivity in the construction sector, including using modern methods of construction, work which was to be guided by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/22]
View answerThe Construction Sector Group (CSG) was established by my Department in 2018. The CSG ensures regular and open dialogue between government and industry on how best to achieve and maintain a sustainable and innovative construction sector positioned to successfully deliver on the commitments in Project Ireland 2040.
Among the cross-cutting issues which the CSG has focused on in recent years, are the areas of productivity, sustainability, construction costs, skills, and supporting innovation and digital adoption.
In November 2021, I announced that a consortium led by TU Dublin was the winner of a €2.5 million grant to deliver the build digital project. After 5 years the project will have delivered increased digital adoption across the entire Irish construction and built environment sector. This project is one of seven priority action points arising from the building innovation report, which drew upon an extensive consultation and international benchmarking process and an economic analysis of the causes of productivity trends in the construction sector. The benefits of Build Digital should support a range of construction sub-sectors under Project Ireland 2040 including the delivery of Housing for All, by assisting the speed of delivery, reducing the cost of delivery, and improving the quality of output and the maintenance of structures once built.
The CSG's Innovation and Digital Adoption Subgroup drives the delivery of the seven actions under its remit, including the Build Digital Project, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
Under Action 3 (Modern Methods of Construction), the CIF recently published a report examining the current issues with MMC and what the key market requirements are to drive further adoption and implementation. The report contains one-to-one MMC/OSM (Offsite Manufacturing) stakeholder interviews which captured views on the key elements required to deliver a successful MMC demonstration park. The report highlights other key market requirements which the CSG will consider.
Collaboration and continued engagement with industry representatives through the CSG is resulting in positive developments in terms of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the construction sector, which will in turn enable the delivery of the Government's ambitions under the National Development Plan in the years ahead.
38. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of expenditure in 2022 that has been allocated in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2547/22]
View answerAn amount of €7 billion was made available in Budget 2022 to provide for measures to mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Of this amount, €3.1 billion has already been allocated at Departmental level in the 2022 Revised Estimates, including €0.2 billion for projects funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. This allocation includes provision for:
- €1.1 billion in the Department of Social Protection including for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and for additional job-seekers payments;
- €0.8 billion for the Department of Health’s continued response to Covid-19;
- €0.3 billion for the Education sector between the Department of Education and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide for measures including additional higher education and training places, student supports, and the continued safe operation of schools;
- €0.2 billion for the Department of Transport to support the operation of public transport given reduced passenger numbers; and
- measures totalling over €0.2 billion across the Department of Tourism, Culture Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media including to assist the tourism and hospitality sectors address the impacts of the pandemic, and to support a sustainable live entertainment sector.
A further €3.9 billion in Covid-19 contingency funding remains held in reserve, to be allocated if required during the year for targeted measures to address challenges caused by the pandemic. Within this are specific amounts totalling almost €1.2 billion that have been earmarked for potential requirements in the Education and Health sectors and for Covid-19 related labour market impacts. This contingency funding will be used to support our economy and society over the coming year and will be allocated as the situation with the pandemic evolves, including where necessary for additional costs arising from the extension of key income and employment support schemes as announced in December.
39. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Government employees by Department that waived a portion of their salary in 2021; and the cost savings delivered in each Department by this means. [1747/22]
View answerSection 483 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides for a gift on an annual basis to be made to the Minister for Finance to be applied for any purpose for or towards the cost of which public moneys are provided. Gifts are accepted by the Minister for Finance.
Gifting of salary is a personal matter for individual taxpayers. If an official wishes to gift part of his or her salary, the relevant Department is required to put in place administrative arrangements to facilitate this. The information is not centrally held by my Department.
In any event, I understand that the tax affairs of individual taxpayers cannot be disclosed due to the obligation to protect taxpayer confidentiality as provided for by section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. Furthermore, I understand that there are considerations under General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in relation to the disclosure of personal data.
However, I understand that aggregate information in relation to gifting of salary is provided in the Finance Accounts - Audited Financial Statements of the Exchequer, Statement 1.2 Non-Tax Revenue – Current and Capital, which are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and published each year.
40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if further consideration to an amendment of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 will include additional waterways including the River Erne system in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2557/22]
View answerHistorically, flood risk management focused on the arterial drainage of river catchments to improve agricultural land. Maintenance of Arterial and Drainage District channels, designated under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945, is the responsibility of the OPW and Local Authorities respectively. These include the maintenance by the OPW of the Boyne, Inny and Glyde-and-Dee Arterial Drainage Schemes in County Cavan. Parts of the Erne Catchment are a Drainage District for which the Local Authority is responsible for ongoing maintenance.
In 1995, due to increased urban flooding, the Arterial Drainage Act 1945 was amended to facilitate the OPW’s implementation of localised flood relief schemes to provide flood protection to cities, towns and villages.
The launch of the Flood Risk Management Plans in May 2018, following the largest ever study of flood risk in Ireland, identified that Government investment is feasible to protect 95 percent of properties at assessed risk from significant flooding through flood relief schemes. The Plans included a flood relief scheme for Cavan Town and this is currently being developed by Cavan County Council with funding from the OPW. The tender deadline for Consultant Engineers on the project was 29 October 2021. Tender submissions have been assessed with a view to the appointment of a successful tenderer in the coming weeks.
The OPW has no plans for further catchment-wide arterial drainage schemes. However, to target the management of flood risk outside of cities, towns and villages, in 2009 the OPW introduced the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of this Scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The OPW approved funding of €75,600 to Cavan County Council in 2020 for 6 projects at Aghadreenagh, Redhills; Ballyhaise, Cavan Road; Drumliff, Ballyhaise; Knockateery, Cloverhills; Ballyhaise Pitch & Mullinavanague, Redhills.
