Written Answers Nos. 61-81
61. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider as part of his review of the ethics framework making the registrable interests of the person occupying the position of Attorney General publicly available in the same way as elected representatives. [2516/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the current statutory provisions (the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, cited together as ‘the Ethics Acts’) oblige the Attorney General to disclose interests (including those of family members) which may materially influence the performance of his or her functions to both the Taoiseach and to the Standards in Public Office Commission. He or she must also comply with the tax clearance obligations of the Ethics Acts, which require that a tax clearance certificate be furnished on his or her appointment.
However, while the Ethics Acts provide that the registerable interests of our law-makers in the Dáil and Seanad are made public via the respective Registers of Interest for each House, the declarations required under the Ethics Acts from non-elected public officials are not published.
Under the Constitution, the Attorney is an appointed advisor to, but not a member of, the Government. He or she has no vote in Cabinet, but, as I have pointed out, the statutory framework obliges him or her to make the Taoiseach and the Standards in Public Office Commission aware of any conflicts of interest arising on his or her part so that this can be taken into account in the Government's decision-making process.
I should clarify further that if an Attorney General happens to be a member of the Oireachtas he or she is deemed to be an office holder (in the same way as a minister), and in addition to their published registrable interests required as a member he or she would be required to disclose additional interests of spouse or family members.
We made a commitment in the 2020 Programme for Government to reform and consolidate the Ethics legislation. In preparation, as the Deputy points out, my Department is undertaking a review of the statutory framework, which will inform proposals for reform that I intend to bring forward. In this regard, I wish to acknowledge the Deputy’s submission on behalf of her party to the public consultation that I undertook as part of this Review. I will seek to take full account of the views of all interested parties, including on the issue to which the Deputy refers, and my Department remains open to further engagement on this important policy agenda, which is so significant for the health of our democracy.
62. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action being taken to in relation to delays in infrastructure projects under the public expenditure code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2227/22]
View answerThe 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.
The revised NDP pledges to restructure the oversight and implementation of capital projects to strengthen scrutiny of major public investment proposals and to drive improved project performance and value for money.
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. However, having recognised the higher risk profile of larger projects, new procedures have been introduced in order to improve project outturns, avoid cost overruns and avoid scheduled delays.
In November, my Department put in place an External Assurance Process (EAP) to provide independent project scrutiny at key decision stages. This will involve independent expert reviews at two key stages in the project lifecycle under the Public Spending Code (approval in principal and prior to tender).
The purpose of the EAP is to improve value for money and support funding departments and Government with expert insight relating to project risks, delivery feasibility, and robustness of costings, governance and procurement. 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.
To support the External Assurance Process 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 Advisory Group 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.
It should be noted that timelines associated with Public Spending Code compliance are a fraction of the time required for compliance with the range of statutory requirements such as planning, environmental impact assessment, habitats directive and appropriate assessment. In addition, many Public Spending Code steps can be undertaken in parallel with other project development phases.
Experience in other countries which have introduced similar independent assurance processes show that such arrangements reduce project schedule delay and project cost overrun.
63. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the ongoing review into the terms and conditions of political staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas. [2479/22]
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.
64. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of allocated funds that went unspent in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2549/22]
View answerTotal gross voted expenditure for 2021, as reported in the December Fiscal Monitor, amounted to €87,542 million. This comprised almost €77.6 billion in current spending and over €9.9 billion in capital expenditure. This level of expenditure is nearly €2.3 billion or 2.6% higher than expenditure in 2020.
The total gross amount allocated to Ministerial Vote Groups for 2021 was €88.9 billion. This included original allocations of €82.4 billion made in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2021 (REV) in December 2020, with €72.3 billion in current and €10.1 billion in capital allocations to Departments set out at that time. The REV also included provision for €5.4 billion in contingency funding to respond to the impacts of Covid-19, which was held in reserve rather than allocated at Departmental level in order to allow Government flexibility to respond as needed over the year. This unallocated funding brought the overall Government Expenditure Ceiling for 2021 to €87.8 billion.
During 2021, as the Covid-19 pandemic continued to impact following the resurgence of the virus at the end of 2020, additional funding for key response measures was allocated to Departments through Further Revised Estimates and Supplementary Estimates. These additional allocations totalled €6½ billion and were met through using in full the contingency funding that had been set aside and providing additional funding of €1.1 billion which increased the Government Expenditure Ceiling to the end year total of €88.9 billion. Compared to this €88.9 billion overall allocation, the end-December spending position was almost €1.4 billion or 1.5% lower than profiled.
For the current expenditure element of overall gross spending, the end-December issues figure of €77,596 million was €795 million or 1.0% below the full year allocation which stood at almost €78.4 billion. Compared to end-2020, current expenditure in 2021 was higher by almost €2 billion or 2.6%.
With regard to capital expenditure, gross voted capital expenditure of €9,946 million was €580 million or 5.5% below the allocation for the year of €10.5 billion. This record €9.9 billion in gross capital expenditure reflects the continued growth in capital investment under the National Development Plan.
The Covid-19 pandemic impacted on the spending plans of Departments in 2021, particularly for capital expenditure where level 5 restrictions in the earlier part of the year had knock-on impacts for infrastructure delivery across a number of departments.
In net terms, the total net voted expenditure to end-December 2021 amounted to €71,579 million. This was €1,480 million or 2.0% below the full year allocation for 2021 in the Estimates voted by the Dáil and €3,730 million or 5.5% ahead on the same period in 2020.
65. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will investigate the ongoing issue with flooding at Faxbridge roundabout in Clonakilty, County Cork following on from the OPW works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2517/22]
View answerThe Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme was undertaken by the Office of Public Works in partnership with Cork County Council, and was substantially completed in February 2021, providing protection to 296 properties against river and tidal flooding.
The surface water issues at Faxbridge roundabout are a road/surface drainage issue, are not connected with the works, and did not fall within the scope of the Flood Relief Scheme in Clonakilty.
There are pre-existing capacity issues in the surface water drainage line on the Old Timoleague Road. This pipe crosses Ring Road and outfalls at Deasy’s Quay. In Spring tides combined with weather conditions - heavy rain, wind strength and direction, and low pressure - drainage from this pipe is limited for a time around high tide time, and water collects at the junction with Ring Road.
Following the construction of the flood defence wall at Deasy’s Quay, the open outlet for the collected water was cut off, and the existing pipe outlet, which was incorporated into the flood wall, did not accommodate for this water.
The Office of Public Works has agreed to support Cork County Council to develop the best approach to address this issue at this location, and is committed to working together with the Local Authority to resolve the issues.
66. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of gross capital expenditure in 2021; the amount that has been allocated for 2022 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2550/22]
View answerInformation on expenditure is published each month in the Fiscal Monitor. The gross capital expenditure to end-December 2021 for each Department can be found on pages 19 and 20 of the Fiscal Monitor, published on 5 January 2022.
For the Deputy’s convenience, I have included a table below detailing the gross capital expenditure position for 2021 and the 2022 gross capital allocation for each Department.
It should be noted that the 2021 expenditure figures remain provisional until they are formally ratified by the Comptroller and Auditor General following his detailed audit of each Departments’ accounts.
|
Department |
Gross Capital Issues to End-December 2021 €,000 |
Gross Capital Allocations 2022 €,000 |
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
298,274 |
316,679 |
|
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
29,676 |
33,100 |
|
Defence |
141,800 |
141,000 |
|
Education |
989,927 |
792,400 |
|
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
693,316 |
545,000 |
|
Environment, Climate & Communications |
554,795 |
700,000 |
|
Finance Group |
32,295 |
22,000 |
|
Foreign Affairs Group |
6,720 |
25,000 |
|
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
499,909 |
551,696 |
|
Health |
1,040,014 |
1,060,250 |
|
Housing, Local Government & Heritage |
2,389,811 |
3,410,000 |
|
Justice Group |
256,231 |
270,000 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform Group |
200,697 |
306,921 |
|
Rural & Community Development |
167,541 |
192,000 |
|
Social Protection |
14,284 |
16,000 |
|
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht, and Media |
153,382 |
202,482 |
|
Transport |
2,477,689 |
2,547,000 |
|
Total |
9,946,361 |
11,131,528 |
67. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of efforts to streamline the delivery of large-scale capital projects; the steps he is taking to ensure cost-effective and timely delivery of future projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2487/22]
View answerThe 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.
The revised NDP pledges to restructure the oversight and implementation of capital projects to strengthen scrutiny of major public investment proposals and to drive improved project performance and value for money.
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. However, having recognised the higher risk profile of larger projects, new procedures have been introduced in order to improve project outturns, avoid cost overruns and avoid scheduled delays.
In November, my Department put in place an External Assurance Process (EAP) to provide independent project scrutiny at key decision stages. This will involve independent expert reviews at two key stages in the project lifecycle under the Public Spending Code (Approval in principal and prior to tender).
The purpose of the EAP is to improve value for money and support funding departments and Government with expert insight relating to project risks, delivery feasibility, and robustness of costings, governance and procurement. 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.
To support the External Assurance Process 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 Advisory Group 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.
It should be noted that timelines associated with Public Spending Code compliance are a fraction of the time required for compliance with the range of statutory requirements such as planning, environmental impact assessment, habitats directive and appropriate assessment. In addition, many Public Spending Code steps can be undertaken in parallel with other project development phases.
Experience in other countries which have introduced similar independent assurance processes show that such arrangements reduce project schedule delay and project cost overrun.
79. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil a Roinn ag tabhairt faoi phleananna maidir le cúrsaí Gaeltachta do Cháisc agus do Shamhradh 2022 i láthair na huaire; an bhfuil sé ar intinn ag a Roinn deontas atosaithe a chur ar fáil do mhná agus d’fhir tí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2209/22]
View answerIs ar an mbunús agus ar an tnúthán go mbeidh na coláistí Gaeilge athoscailte in mbliana atá an Roinn ag feidhmiú agus, dá réir, gur tríd an gcúnamh leanúnach a chuirtear ar fáil faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge a bheidh an Roinn ag teacht i gcabhair ar an earnáil go príomha mar a bhaineann sé le cúrsaí maoinithe in mbliana.
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (SFG) á riar ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le tacú le deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht do lucht freastail iar-bhunscoileanna agus triú leibhéal na tíre. Tagann an scéim le cuspóirí foriomlána an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030.
Beidh a fhios ag an Teachta gur bhunaigh mo Roinn trí chiste faoi leith anuraidh ar leas na hearnála arbh fhiú €4m in iomlán iad. Bhain ceann acu - ar luach €2.2m - le lucht lóistín an chórais mar is eol don Teachta. Níl aon amhras orm ach gur chabhraigh sé seo uile leis an earnáil teacht tríd na dúshláin arbh éigean dúinn uile mar phobal a iompar le beagnach dhá bhliain anuas de bharr na paindéime ach tá muid ag súil le filleadh ar an ngnáthshaol i mbliana.
Mar bheart breise le cabhrú tuilleadh leis an earnáil cuireadh in iúl do choláistí i bhfómhar 2021 go mbeifear sásta mar eisceacht, gearrchúrsaí seachtaine a aithint faoin scéim i gcás go mbeadh coláistí ag iarraidh a leithéid a eagrú chun freastal a dhéanamh orthu siúd a chaill amach ar an deis cúrsaí trí seachtaine a dhéanamh de dheasca COVID-19.
Ní gá a rá go leanfaidh mo Roinn ag coinneáil an scéal ar fad faoi bhreithniú i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara - ag súil leis i rith an ama go mbeidh athoscailt iomlán i ndán don chóras sa tréimhse atá amach romhainn.
80. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí athbhreithniú ar scéim na mbóithre áise a thabhairt ar ais le haghaidh na gceantar Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2512/22]
View answerTá Scéim na mBóithre Áise, a bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt di, curtha ar fionraí le roinnt blianta anois. Faoin scéim sin bhíodh deontais chaipitil ar fáil chun bóithre sa Ghaeltacht a fheabhsú agus a dheisiú.
Ach an oiread leis an gcuid eile den tír, is faoi na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha a bhaineann an fhreagracht maidir le cothabháil bhóithre na Gaeltachta. Níl aon phleananna ag mo Roinn an scéim a athnuachan, dá bharr.
Leagtar amach straitéis an Rialtais seo maidir leis an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht, a fuair tacaíocht tras-pháirtí i dTithe an Oireachtais, sa Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030. In thaobh sin, is fiú dom a mheabhrú don Teachta gurbh é an Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022, a d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn thar ceann an Rialtais i mí Meithimh 2018, an mapa bóthair ina ndéantar rianú ar cad a dhéanfar chun cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú na Straitéíse thar saolré an phlean.
Ós rud é go bhfuil comhfhreagracht agus comhúinéireacht ag croílár an cur chuige, is plean tras-Rannach é agus is gá do gach ceann den 60 páirtí leasmhar a ndéantar a rianú sa phlean a gcion a dhéanamh chun go mbeidh an toradh is fearr a bhféadfaí bheith ag súil leis mar a bhaineann sé le cur chun feidhme an breis agus 180 beart atá ann.
Is léir ón tuarascáil deiridh maidir le feidhmiú an Phlean a foilsíodh sa dara leath de 2021 go bhfuil dul chun cinn an-mhaith á dhéanamh le formhór na spriocanna atá san áireamh ann. Ó shin i leith, dár ndóigh, tá péire de na tograí teanga is mó ó bunaíodh an Stáit curtha i gcríoch - achtú Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 agus an deireadh a cuireadh leis an maolú ar úsáid na Gaeilge in institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh. Sílim gur léiriú é seo ar an rath atá ar pholasaí an Rialtais seo maidir leis an Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeltacht.
