Written Answers Nos. 41-60
41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagement he has had with the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group in 2021 and to date in 2022; if he will report on the work of the group; the number of times the group has met to date; the details of reports he has received from the Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2447/22]
View answerThe Government established the Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider. The Inter-Departmental Group has met on 3 occasions to date and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I attended the Group’s first meeting. The Group is also supported by a Technical Working Group.
During 2021, to assist and support the work of the Group, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW also engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with relevant Departments and key stakeholders to discuss the emerging work of the Group and for issues relating to coastal change management to be explored and reflected upon in the context of the particular operations of the participating organisations. The Inter-Departmental Group is due to meet again shortly to further advance the drafting and finalising of its report which will be presented to Government for their consideration.
42. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department is progressing plans for new or enhanced coastal protection works in County Clare. [2434/22]
View answerCoastal erosion is a natural and ongoing process, which takes place around the entire coastline. The Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have responsibility for the preparation of a national coastal erosion strategy or plan. The OPWs prime responsibility in this area is the management of flood risk. However, the Government has established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment. The Inter-Departmental Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW and will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider.
Coastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address. To assist Local Authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the OPW has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. This data enables Local Authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.
The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures. Intervention or hard defences has the potential to cause problems further along the coast, any proposed intervention measures are best developed in conjunction with a formal coastal risk management study that has carefully investigated the problem and explored the full range of management options.
The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme since 2009, under which applications for funding from local authorities for small localised works are considered for measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. The OPW guidelines for funding applications under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, together with a full list of funding approvals since 2009 is available on the OPW website at www.gov.ie/opw
The OPW has approved €1.2m for coastal protection works, including coastal erosion, to Clare County Council since 2009. A summary of these approvals is attached.
Extensive storm damage has been caused in recent years to sections of the existing coastline and coastal defence within the area known as Liscannor Bay from Clahane to Crag Beach.
In 2015, Clare County Council received approval from the OPW to undertake a number of Studies in the Liscannor Area, including Clahane under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. The Council commissioned a report. The study investigates existing and future coastal damage and its causes and proposes appropriate plans to best manage the risks identified. The four individual areas put forward by Clare County Council for assessment as part of the study were Clahane, Liscannor Bay, The Glebe and Lahinch. Clare County Council added a fifth area, Crag Beach, to the study in the early stages. The total study area spans an approximate length of 4.4km of coastline along Liscannor Bay.
The study report provides an estimate of the cost of the Clahane scheme at circa €1.23m (2016 rates, excl. VAT) and a Benefit Cost ratio ranging from 1.25 to 1.4. Therefore while theoretically there is a feasible scheme with a positive BCR of 1.25 to 1.4 and an estimated cost of €1.23M (2016 rates, exclusive of VAT), the outcome of this report means that progression of this scheme would lie outside the criterion of the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme.
A meeting was held in November 2021 between the Office of Public Works and Clare County Council to discuss how a scheme could be progressed. It was agreed that as a first step, the County Council would bring the 2016 figures up to date and submit updated cost and costs estimate/ratio to 2021 rates. Following receipt of this information, the decision can be taken regarding how a viable scheme could be developed.
43. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the process by which changes to remuneration for those employed under the scheme for secretarial assistance is decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2254/22]
View answerUnder the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (the “Commission”) has the power to regulate the provision of “secretarial facilities” to Members. “Secretarial facilities” is a term encompassing the staff employed under the Scheme for Secretarial Assistance. The Act requires the Commission to obtain the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform before reaching an agreement with any person in relation to rates of pay, conditions of employment or superannuation rights. In practice, this means that the Commission advises on matters relating to resourcing, grading and terms and conditions of employment and submits proposals for the Minister’s consideration and agreement.
In that regard, I am aware that there is a process underway at the Workplace Relations Commission dealing with various issues, including alignment with the current public service pay agreement ‘Building Momentum’ between the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and SIPTU. I understand that a meeting is scheduled for the last week of January in respect of this matter.
I look forward to a successful resolution of the matter and early presentation of proposals for my agreement.
44. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he will take to improve the whistleblowing regime and to increase the accountability of the civil service and broader public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2656/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to use the opportunity of EU consideration of reforms to European-wide whistleblowing provisions to review, update and reform our whistleblowing legislation and ensure it remains as effective as possible. Transposition of the EU Whistleblowing Directive (Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law) will require amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to the transposition was published on 12 May 2021. The Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Taoiseach has recently completed its pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and I am considering the recommendations in its report. I hope to bring the text of the Bill to Government for approval and publication in the coming weeks.
Some of the enhancements to the protected disclosures regime that will be provided for in the Bill will include: an expanded personal scope to include volunteers, shareholders, board members and job applicants; an obligation on private sector organisations with 50 or more employees to have formal whistleblowing systems; a requirement on internal and external recipients of protected disclosures to acknowledge, follow-up and give feedback in respect of all reports received; an extension of the interim relief provisions in the Act to cover acts of penalisation other than dismissal; and the reversal of the burden of proof in civil proceedings concerning penalisation. With these amendments, the
new legislation will go further in safeguarding protections for those who report wrongdoing.
In addition, in order to further enhance and improve the implementation of the legislation, a Protected Disclosures Commissioner in the Office of the Ombudsman will be established. They will assist reporting persons in ensuring that external reports get to the right prescribed person or where there is no prescribed person, they will take on responsibility for following up on the report directly ensuring there is a person to receive and follow-up on all external reports of wrongdoing. The Commissioner will also refer protected disclosures sent to Ministers of the Government to the most appropriate authority to assess and follow them up.
Alongside this legislation, my Department will be issuing updated statutory guidance for public service bodies to coincide with the enactment of the Bill. This will support a high-level and consistent approach to protected disclosures and how they are handled. The next generation of the Training Framework for public sector staff responsible for handling Protected Disclosures is also in the process of being put in place.
Taken together, all of these measures will significantly strengthen and enhance the statutory protections for whistleblowers in Ireland.
45. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will implement the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach in view of the committee's report on the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2021; if he will remove the regressive clauses that were identified by the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2682/22]
View answerLegislation to amend the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to provide for the transposition of EU Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law ("the Whistleblowing Directive") is at an advanced stage of preparation and will be published shortly.
The Pre-legislative Scrutiny Report on the draft general scheme of the Bill, prepared by the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach, has been received and its contents are being considered. I would like to thank the Committee for the significant amount of work they have put into the scrutiny of this important issue.
The recommendations of the Report will be taken into careful consideration in the process of finalising the Bill for publication and during its passage through the Oireachtas. A number of recommendations have been incorporated into the text of the Bill, which will go to Cabinet for approval shortly. There are also a number of recommendations which require further consideration with the Attorney General. Given that the date for the transposition of the Directive has now passed and in order not to further delay the publication of the Bill, I have decided that, depending on the outcome of deliberations with the Attorney General, these outstanding issues can be addressed by Committee Stage amendments if required.
46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he plans to take in relation to the recommendation from the Independent Body Examining Additional Working Hours that public service hours should be returned to pre-Haddington Road Agreement levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2456/22]
View answerChapter 4 of Building Momentum - A new public service agreement, 2021-2022 provides that the parties to the Agreement recognise and accept that certain measures introduced under the Public Service Stability Agreements, including the “Haddington Road Agreement” are considered outstanding matters to be resolved as part of this Agreement.
In this context Section 4.2 of the Agreement provided for the establishment of an independent body to assess issues arising in addressing the Haddington Road Hours and to make appropriate recommendations to be applied equitably across all affected grades, groups, categories and sectors.
An Independent Hours Body chaired by Kieran Mulvey, former head of the Workplace Relations Commission, and comprising of employer, trade union representatives and independent members was established last April. The commitment to review this issue was a key element in agreeing Building Momentum which also provided for sustainable pay increases across the public service over 2021 and 2022.
I recently received correspondence from the Chairperson with the Independent Body’s Conclusions and Recommendations.
I have not yet received Mr Mulvey's full report and understand that the Independent Body will finalise this by the end of January. The submission of the final report and its consideration by Government is an important part of the continuing implementation of the Agreement.
In summary, the Independent Body is recommending that:
- The Haddington Road Agreement hours implemented in 2013 will be restored in the majority of relevant civil and public service employments with effect from July 1st 2022.
- Working hours for any grade will not be less than the level that applied prior to the Haddington Road Agreement, and in this regard, a minimum floor of 35 hours per week will apply.
- The Independent Body estimates that the cost of implementing their recommendations is €180 million in 2022.
A number of steps have been taken in preparation for the potential removal of the Haddington Road Agreement hours.
- Firstly, a budget of €150m to replace these hours has already been provided for this year under the terms of Building Momentum.
- Secondly, I have communicated details of the potential changes to the relevant Ministers and sectors to enable commencement of any necessary planning at sectoral level regarding the implementation of the recommendations, depending on the decision of Government.
In conclusion, I look forward to receiving the full report from the Independent Body in the coming weeks. The Government, continuing to prioritise service delivery, will then respond positively and appropriately to all of the Independent Body’s recommendations.
47. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will examine the costs related to the freedom of information regime regarding High Court challenges taken by Departments or public bodies against the Office of the Information Commissioner in view of his review of the freedom of information regime and his stated intention to examine its cost; and the actions he plans to take to minimise the cost to the taxpayer from the significant number of challenges which are not upheld. [2681/22]
View answerThe availability of an appeal to the High Court on a point of law is an important safeguard in the Freedom of Information (FOI) process. While the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) has developed great expertise over the years, there will inevitably arise instances where a person affected by the outcome of a review process may believe that the OIC’s decision is incorrect as a matter of law. The FOI process by its nature from time to time raises complex legal issues, far beyond a straightforward interpretation of the legislation, and also tends to intersect with other disputes. For example, a landmark 2006 Supreme Court judgment on the rights of non-marital parents arose out of an FOI appeal.
Since 2014 twenty nine statutory appeals were brought against decisions of the Commissioner, of which twelve were brought by public bodies. Of this number, four appeals remain outstanding. Three cases have been determined by the Courts, with the OIC's decision quashed and remitted for further consideration in two and upheld in one. Three cases were settled and remitted for reconsideration by the OIC, in one case the OIC's decision was set aside by consent without remittal, and the final appeal was withdrawn.
An appeal against an OIC decision may be brought by any party affected by that decision. The remaining seventeen appeals since 2014 were brought by requesters or third parties rather than public bodies. For context, in this same period the OIC issued 1801 decisions. In almost two thirds of these decisions, that is 1,140, the approach taken by the public body was affirmed.
In the context of the large volume of decisions issued by the OIC, the numbers of appeals are generally low. Where appeals lodged by public bodies since 2014 have since been determined, they have resulted in the OIC's initial decision being set aside or reconsidered in three quarters of cases, suggesting that the statutory appeal mechanism is not being used in an indiscriminate manner. Moreover, it is important to note that the available statutory appeal under the FOI legislation is limited to where an error of law by the OIC can be demonstrated. The fact that a body may disagree with the outcome of an OIC process will not in itself be a basis for a successful appeal.
Legal costs relating to the FOI regime is a factor that will have to be taken into account when assessing the overall cost of FOI as part of the FOI review. There will be further opportunities for any interested parties to submit their views on this or any other aspect of the FOI system before its conclusion later this year.
49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department have identified new or serious issues likely to impact on economic performance with particular reference to public expenditure, procurement or such matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2078/22]
View answerThe Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) 2022, published by my Department in December set out allocations at Departmental level of almost €83 billion to Departments, with a further €4.6 billion held in reserve, primarily to address the continued challenges posed by Covid-19 and Brexit, to be allocated during 2022.
This funding provision is in line with the agreed medium term expenditure strategy to 2025 set out in the Summer Economic Statement (SES). This strategy aims to meet key challenges facing us in the short to medium term, allowing us to invest in our economy and society to deliver improvements in infrastructure and public services, while reducing the deficit in order to underpin the sustainability of the public finances as we emerge from the pandemic.
Provision for up to €7 billion has been made to respond to Covid-19 in 2022, with €3.1 billion of this already allocated and a further €3.9 billion in reserve. The careful phased withdrawal of Covid-19 supports is essential both to support society and the economy to recover from the impact of the pandemic and to return our public finances to a sustainable position, and it will be important that further supports are targeted at where they can have the greatest impact.
Given the significant level of resources to be provided for both core and temporary spending, an ongoing and enhanced focus on value for money is required. We must ensure that there is the capacity to deliver the significant level of investment being provided and build on the budgetary reforms already in place to drive spending efficiency and effectiveness.
Regarding procurement, supply chain issues along with potential inflationary pressures have been well publicised. The last quarter of 2021 showed steep rises in the price of energy. The causes of such increase are many and include unseasonably low temperatures, geo-political tensions and increased demand. The price of natural gas and electricity remains very volatile. If higher energy prices are sustained, it is likely they will lead to price inflation in other sections of the economy.
With regard to construction procurement, the past 12 months has seen significant and sustained increases in the prices of a broad range of commonly-used goods and materials in the construction sector. In addition, supplies are constrained for certain materials. The causes are many, are global and mostly related to the disruption caused by the pandemic.
The current pricing and supply volatility is evidenced by increases in tender prices, a reduction in the numbers of those participating in tenders, delays in the award of contracts as tenderers withdraw and delays to projects where key materials cannot be sourced as readily.
It is not yet evident as to the duration of these market conditions, the potential for further volatility or price increases, or whether prices of some materials might return to prior levels.
In response to these uncertain conditions interim amendments have been introduced to provide greater certainty to contractors as to the extent of price inflation that they are expected to bear. These include:
1. limited indexation of the tender price to cover price increases to materials in the period between the submission of the tender and the award of the contract
2. a reduction in the fixed price period once the contract has been awarded to 24 months
3. provision for the contractor to seek an adjustment to their price once the contract has been awarded should the price of a particular material when purchased increase by more than 15% on its price at the time the contract was awarded.
50. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the composition of the €580 million unused gross capital expenditure allocation for 2021 as identified in the end of year Exchequer figures published earlier in January 2022; the way the funds will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2377/22]
View answerThe gross capital underspend of €580 million, as published in the Fiscal Monitor on 5 January 2022, represents the provisional underspend for 2021. The Comptroller and Auditor General, following his detailed audit of each Departments’ accounts, will formally endorse the expenditure outturn for 2021 later this year.
The €580 million variance as published does not take into account €360 million, which was vired from capital to current expenditure by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This distorts the underspend for 2021, as the overall capital allocation of €10.5 billion was not readjusted to take account of the virement.
When the overall capital allocation is adjusted to take account of the virement, the underspend will be in the region of €220 million or approximately 2% of the 2021 allocation. The €220 million is not reallocated, but is returned to Exchequer thereby reducing the overall 2021 Exchequer deficit amount.
51. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether public sector pay increases of 1% to 2% will be wiped out and public servants will essentially be taking a pay cut in 2022 with inflation running at 5.3%; the actions he plans to take in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2457/22]
View answerPublic service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices.
The current public service agreement is Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022. It is important to note that this Agreement is weighted towards those at lower incomes with headline increases of approximately 5% for the lowest paid public servants. These groups will also benefit more from other measures in the Agreement including the overtime rates and premia payment adjustments.
The Agreement provides for the following pay adjustments:
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on October 2021.
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.
The Government is determined to ensure the current pay agreement is honoured in full. In this regard, an independent body was established to examine the additional hours worked by public servants under the Haddington Road Agreement. The recommendations of the Body have now been submitted to my Department and I anticipate that the full report will be submitted by the end of January.
As the Deputy will be aware, Building Momentum is a two year Agreement, which is due to expire at the end of 2022. Accordingly, Government and public service staff representatives will be due to enter into discussions on the potential for a successor agreement later this year. I expect that the issues to which the Deputy has referred will feature in those discussions.
52. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of additional new civil and public service positions the State is expected to create in 2022; the number of retirements in whole-time equivalent terms across the civil and public service who are expected to retire in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2486/22]
View answerThe Revised Estimates for Public Services (Rev 2022), published on 15 December 2021, sets out for each Vote the numbers of civil and public service employees at end-year in full-time equivalent terms (FTE). The aggregate amount included in the REV in respect of 2022 is a total of 380,492 (FTE) with a total of 366,264 (FTE) for 2021. The 2022 position represents an increase of 14,228 or 3.9% on 2021. Compared to the end of quarter 3 in 2021, the most recent quarter for which data on actual numbers of FTE by Vote is available, the end-2022 position represents an increase of just over 4½%.
The planned increase in numbers employed across the Civil and Public Service in 2022 reflects budgetary decisions to provide for additional staff in sectors including Education, Further and Higher Education, Health, and Justice to support the delivery of public services and key Government priorities.
My Department is responsible for the civil service pension schemes, which cover personnel in established and unestablished civil service and State Industrial posts. The expected number of retirements from the Civil Service over 2022 is 1,550.
There are a large number of pension schemes operating in the various sectors of the Irish public service. It would be a matter for those sectoral authorities, including Ministers, to supply such information as may be available in respect of the expected number of retirees in each year from those individual pension schemes.
53. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of expenditure in 2021 related to Covid-19; the way this compared to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2546/22]
View answerEnsuring appropriate funding of supports for our people, the economy and public services has been a key priority for Government over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic. 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.
Throughout 2021, €13½ billion was provided for Covid related measures, through the Budget 2021 allocations, Revised Estimates and allocations by way of Further Revised Estimate and Supplementary Estimate from the reserve funding held as a Covid contingency in Budget 2021. This approach allowed for flexible responses to changing needs for supports. This allowed for the continued provision and extension of the PUP, the EWSS, and business supports such as commercial rates waivers, funding to support our health system continue to respond to the impact of Covid, and the necessary funds to support our public transport and education systems operate in a Covid environment.
54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 16 November 2021, the status of the flood relief works in the Spanish Arch area of Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2446/22]
View answerI am advised that flood defences in the Spanish Arch and docks area of Galway city are being developed as part of the Coirib go Cósta – Galway City Flood Relief Scheme.
Galway City Council, as Project Sponsor and Contracting Authority, is leading the development of the Scheme, with technical advice and funding provided by the Office of Public Works.
On the 30th November last year, I visited Galway City and met with Galway City Council and OPW representatives who are working on the progression of the scheme to discuss the issues and potential solutions for these vulnerable areas of the city.
The objective of the Coirib go Cósta Project is to assess, design and deliver a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme, which has a preliminary total project budget estimate of €9.5m and when complete will protect over 940 properties in the Long Walk, Spanish Arch, Eglinton Canal, Merchants Quay, Raven Terrace, Salthill and Claddagh areas of Galway City from tidal and river flooding.
The scheme is currently in stage 1 and the preliminary draft options for the scheme are programmed to be presented to the general public in Q4 2022.
This scheme represents a significant investment for Galway City, which will be undertaken with all due consideration for regulatory, planning, environmental and social constraints, while achieving the goal of delivering a viable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable flood relief scheme for Galway City.
56. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures to be undertaken by his Department in 2022 to progress the Programme for Government commitment to a well-being framework; if Budget 2023 will be in compliance with this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2411/22]
View answerIn Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the Government set out a commitment to developing a set of well-being indices to create a well-rounded, holistic view of how Irish society is fairing. In July 2021, the Government published the First Report on a Well-being Framework for Ireland. This initial Framework has set out an overarching vision of “enabling all our people to live fulfilled lives now and into the future”.
The Government is also committed to ensuring that the well-being framework is utilised in a systematic way across government policy making in evaluating programmes and reporting progress as well as in setting budgetary priorities (as an important complement to existing economic measurement tools).
In order to progress the use of Well-being Framework as part of the policy process, and develop a knowledge base around well-being as a policy objective, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform has sought to pilot an approach to utilising the Well-being Framework to locate well-being within existing public policy. The approach under consideration builds on the performance budgeting initiative by placing an explicit focus on stated policy goals and evidence of progress. In order to develop this approach, Departments have been invited to consider how they might utilise the Well-being Framework as part of the Spending Review process. As noted in the Expenditure Report 2022, the Well-being Public Policy Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform is available to support Departments in carrying out this work.
Furthermore, as noted in the Expenditure Report 2022, the next phase of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform's work in this area is to develop an approach to associating public expenditure with the various dimensions of the Well-being Framework. The intention is to develop over time a way of setting out budgetary decisions on the basis of well-being dimensions; an approach that would complement the existing Vote Group approach to presenting such decisions.
57. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of remote working in terms of the Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2341/22]
View answerThe Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy - 'Building on our Strengths' - commits to developing and implementing flexible working models, including the acceleration of online systems, virtual teams and blended working options.
In July, 2021 the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service. The Policy Statement commits the Civil Service to implementing a policy of blended working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers in a manner that supports the continued delivery of high quality services to Government, the public and business while providing employees, where appropriate, with choice and opportunity.
Remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis. In this context, Officials in my Department have been working with, and continue to work with employers across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. This Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the sector and can assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public sector.
It is anticipated that the Framework will be finalised over the coming weeks following conclusion of the engagement with employee representatives. When the Framework has been agreed with the Civil Service Management Board, it will be rolled out to all civil service organisations. The Framework will inform the development of organisational blended working policies which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.
58. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reforms that are planned to the spending code and the procurement rules for capital expenditure to ensure full expenditure of all capital allocated to different Departments which have underspent their allocations in the past few years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1359/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, this Government has approved the allocation of record levels of capital expenditure to Departments over the last number of years and will continue to do so as demonstrated by the publication of multi-annual capital allocations out to 2025.
The Public Spending Code (PSC) sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
The update of the Public Spending Code in 2019 combined with lessons learned from domestic projects and international best practice highlighted the need for more structured scrutiny of major public investment projects, particularly in the areas of planned delivery, costings and risk. This is to ensure that Government is making decisions with a full picture of the proposal, its costs, risks and benefits.
In order to achieve this, my Department has introduced two key reforms:
- The introduction of an External Assurance Process (EAP) to provide independent project scrutiny at key decision stages. The EAP for major public capital projects (projects which cost in excess of €100m) will focus on issues such as cost, risk and ability to deliver, at two key points in the project lifecycle, Decision Gate 1 (Approval in Principle) and Decision Gate 2 (Pre-Tender Approval).
- A new Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) has been established to further strengthen project management. As a prerequisite to seeking Government approval for projects at the relevant decision gates, project proposals and external reviews will be scrutinised by the MPAG in advance of the decision to proceed. The new arrangements bring Ireland into line with leading international performers and meet a recommendation of the IMF’s Public Investment Management Assessment of Ireland.
- While there was an impact on building activity earlier last year due to Covid restrictions, activity in the sector ramped up significantly when restrictions were lifted in April.
- Capital expenditure drawdown can be lumpy in any year for any number of reasons such as delays in planning, delays in completion or even weather conditions. As such, capital carryover is in place to assist Departments with the management of their capital spend across years to alleviate pressures and delays caused by timing issues and the impact of unexpected occurrences. This procedure is also designed to promote value-for-money in the use of capital funding, in particular by mitigating any incentive on the part of public bodies or Departments to spend any remaining capital allocation at end-year in an accelerated manner rather than surrender it to the Exchequer.
- I firmly believe that the capital carryover facility, as legislated for under Section 91 of the Finance Act, 2004 is the most appropriate provision to assist Departments in managing their capital allocations. A maximum of 10% of the original capital allocation is permitted to be carried over into the following year, which allows for the capital funding to be drawn down in a considered and deliberate manner that maximises public benefit. This facility only applies to capital expenditure and not current expenditure.
59. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the report of the Independent Body Examining Additional Working Hours; if the Government is accepting the recommendations; the estimated full-year cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2357/22]
View answerChapter 4 of Building Momentum - A new public service agreement, 2021-2022 provides that the parties to the Agreement recognise and accept that certain measures introduced under the Public Service Stability Agreements, including the “Haddington Road Agreement” are considered outstanding matters to be resolved as part of this Agreement.
In this context Section 4.2 of the Agreement provided for the establishment of an independent body to assess issues arising in addressing the Haddington Road Hours and to make appropriate recommendations to be applied equitably across all affected grades, groups, categories and sectors.
An Independent Hours Body chaired by Kieran Mulvey, former head of the Workplace Relations Commission, and comprising of employer, trade union representatives and independent members was established last April. The commitment to review this issue was a key element in agreeing Building Momentum which also provided for sustainable pay increases across the public service over 2021 and 2022.
I recently received correspondence from the Chairperson with the Independent Body’s Conclusions and Recommendations.
I have not yet received Mr Mulvey's full report and understand that the Independent Body will finalise this by the end of January. The submission of the final report and its consideration by Government is an important part of the continuing implementation of the Agreement.
In summary, the Independent Body is recommending that:
- The Haddington Road Agreement hours implemented in 2013 will be restored in the majority of relevant civil and public service employments with effect from July 1st 2022.
- Working hours for any grade will not be less than the level that applied prior to the Haddington Road Agreement, and in this regard, a minimum floor of 35 hours per week will apply.
- The Independent Body estimates that the cost of implementing their recommendations is €180 million in 2022.
A number of steps have been taken in preparation for the potential removal of the Haddington Road Agreement hours.
- Firstly, a budget of €150m to replace these hours has already been provided for this year under the terms of Building Momentum.
- Secondly, I have communicated details of the potential changes to the relevant Ministers and sectors to enable commencement of any necessary planning at sectoral level regarding the implementation of the recommendations, depending on the decision of Government.
In conclusion, I look forward to receiving the full report from the Independent Body in the coming weeks. The Government, continuing to prioritise service delivery, will then respond positively and appropriately to all of the Independent Body’s recommendations.
60. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Office of Public Works refurbishment of Carlow courthouse railings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2040/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that Francis Haughey Construction, Building Contractor, commenced with site set up at Carlow Court House on the week commencing 10th January 2022.
Francis Haughey has issued the Office of Public Works with a programme for the works and has confirmed a completion date for the repairs to the railings of the end of June 2022.
It is my intention to visit Carlow and see the works underway at Carlow Court House shortly.
