Tuesday, 1 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 64- 87

Pension Provisions

Questions (64, 70)

Bríd Smith

Question:

64. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to a previous Parliamentary Question on the pension scheme of retired RTÉ employees that a decision on such schemes was not solely his responsibility, if Regulation 85 which specifies that a pension may be increased by such an amount as may be authorised from time to time by the Minister for Finance and if since the Department was split into two, if he has assumed the role and approved all subsequent changes to the RTÉ pension scheme; if this suggests that his Department does have sole responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11382/22]

Bríd Smith

Question:

70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify if the pensions schemes of former RTÉ employees and Dublin Port and Dock workers are subject to a veto in terms of a proposed rise in these pensions by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11381/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 70 together.

As the Deputy might appreciate, issues involving the pension schemes in relation to the Commercial Semi State companies can be complex. They also involve a range of different stakeholders and are influenced by a number of different factors such as those which impact on the overall value of pension funds. There is also a historical context to the position of these schemes many of which have faced financial challenges over many years.

I would like to take the opportunity to briefly outline the background to some of these  issues before highlighting the key factors to be considered in the development of proposals for discretionary pension increases as well as the process by which these proposals are brought forward.

As you now, many of the pension schemes for the Commercial Semi State Bodies experienced a deterioration of their overall financial position during the financial crisis. Difficult measures had to be taken in some cases to ensure their survival. A large number of the schemes are still in deficit. 

This means that along with relevant policy considerations, the extent of precedents and consistency with scheme rules, the overall funding position of the relevant pension scheme is one of the most important factors in considering any pension scheme proposals. Any measure which has the potential to negatively impact on the financial health of a pension scheme must be carefully evaluated.

This also applies to proposals for discretionary pension increases. Many of the pension schemes in the Commercial Semi State sector have not had pension increases for this reason. As a result, the understandable desire of retired scheme members for pension increases must be balanced with the overall protection of pension benefits for all members of a pension scheme and with the long term survival of schemes. 

Ultimately, if pension increases are not affordable, it can lead to a failure to meet the statutory funding standard, which in turn can trigger the need for more difficult measures to restore the financial position of a pension scheme. 

As the key stakeholders involved in considering these proposals, the parent Department along with the relevant scheme trustees  and the scheme employer all play an important role in ensuring that the full impact of pension increases on the sustainability of the pension funds is carefully assessed along with all the other policy considerations before proposals are finalised

The normal process by which these requests are advanced involves the parent Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual Commercial Semi State Bodies falls considering and approving any changes to pension scheme rules or discretionary benefits.

My Department then considers these proposals when a fully completed set of business case and technical assessment documents are submitted in line with the standard governance requirements. This includes the advice from NewEra. This process applies to all proposals including the RTÉ pension scheme before they are brought forward for my consent.

 In relation to your other parliamentary question, the full set of documents have not yet been received by this Department in relation to both the RTÉ scheme and the Dublin Port scheme proposals. As you can appreciate, it can take some effort to assemble and review the full range of technical material required.

Officials in my Department are available to consider these matters once all the necessary financial and actuarial analysis is carried out and the governance requirements have been met.

Overall, while I understand the sensitivity of pension increase matters, the issues involved are not necessarily straightforward and the full impact of proposals have to be considered, not least on the long term viability of schemes.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (65)

John Lahart

Question:

65. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cumulative additional expenditure undertaken due to the Covid pandemic since February 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11485/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Supporting 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.

Question No. 66 answered orally.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (67)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

67. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contingency allocation he has set aside for Covid-related matters in 2022; the amount that has been drawn down to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11370/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Budget 2022 expenditure ceilings reflect funding of €6.8 billion for our public services to address the challenges of Covid-19 with a further €0.2 billion of investments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Just over €4 billion of this amount was held in reserve.

In REV 2022, just under €0.1 of the contingency was allocated with €51 million to Education for term 2 Covid-19 measures, €25 million for Live Entertainment, €10 million for a support scheme for travel agents, and €10 million for a Covid mitigation redundancy and insolvency scheme.

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 and in respect of a further Commercial Rates Waiver for particularly impacted sectors.

Budget 2022, set out the planned phasing out of the EWSS. Reflecting the impact of the public health response to Omicron, Government agreed to extend the enhanced rate of subsidy for a further two months across December 2021 and January 2022 and also to the reopening of the scheme for certain businesses.

In January, Government agreed that businesses availing of EWSS that were directly impacted by the Public Health Regulations introduced in December, would continue to receive the enhanced rates of subsidy for the month of February, with the graduated step-down in subsidy rates being delayed by one month. Such firms would continue to receive support under the scheme until 31 May 2022.

Any additional costs arising from these measures, along with costs due to increased demand on testing and on the Covid Illness Benefit Scheme, would fall to be met from the contingency reserve. This will leave funds available in the reserve to be allocated, if required, for targeted measures depending on the situation with the virus later in the year. 

Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 62.

Office of Public Works

Questions (69)

Holly Cairns

Question:

69. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps being taken by the Office of Public Works to ensure that buildings it has responsibility for are fully accessible for persons with disabilities including having suitable toilet changing places facilities. [11087/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I wish to outline to the Deputy the steps that are currently underway in relation to accessibility for all. The OPW's ambition is to endeavour to integrate best practice into every aspect of our technical compliance requirements. We aim to redefine and encompass techniques which are both compliant as well as being the best solutions for the built environment encompassed within our area of responsibility. This approach benefits all of society and re-frames and prioritises the work of OPW architects, engineers, surveyors, district inspectors, clerks of works and other stakeholders working directly with us or acting on our behalf. This in turn enhances the experiences of building users and ensures Accessibility and Universal Design principles permeate all aspects of the built environment to which the public have the right to access through application of our Codes of Practice, our Technical Guidance Documents and our Building Regulations. 

Accessibility audit reviews of a prioritised list of OPW buildings, to which the public have access countrywide, are being carried out at the moment, by a combination of our own technical staff resources and external consultants. Due to the pandemic most of our planned audits were postponed but the intention is to advance on these as a priority over the coming months.

Access audits are the mechanism for producing evidence based data for the works to be undertaken. This is informed by a set of criteria as set out by Part M of the Technical Guidance Documents of the building regulations. A priority list and the urgency of the works is set out at the start of each year with each regional manager and the Universal Access Programme budget holder. Since March 2020 the programme has been delayed by Covid-19 and for the most part progress halted where we could not visit sites. Our teams would require additional resources for what would be an extensive roll out programme across the entire estate. This is the current position as of 28th February 2022. Even with progress to date we fully appreciate that we must further strive to create a built environment best suited and equipped to ensure all our citizens are treated with dignity and consideration.  Since the publication of the I.S. EN 17161:2019 standard on Design for All in 2019, we have looked forward to moving towards wider application of the Universal Design principles in our buildings and sites. This will shortly  benefit from the suite of amendments under consideration to Technical Guidance Document Part M for the provision of Changing Places Facilities in specific settings. (Proposed legislation: Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022).

In December 2020, in support of Government policy on advancing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage established a Working Group to examine the provision of a Changing Places facility in certain buildings. The Working Group has now recommended the types and sizes of buildings where a changing places toilet should be required, along with the technical requirements (equipment, room size and layout) of a changing places toilet.

The public consultation was launched on 9 February 2022, which seeks submissions, observations and comments on a proposed amendment to the Building Regulations and associated Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use to make provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings.

To assist in this process, the following documents are available on the Department's website www.gov.ie/en/consultation/247d5-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-building-regulations-part-m-access-and-use-to-make-provision-for-a-changing-places-toilet-in-certain-buildings/

and interested parties will have until 12 May 2022 to submit their comments:   

- Draft Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022

--Draft Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use 2022

- A Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis

- An easy read consultation document

- A template for submissions   

Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 64.

Departmental Data

Questions (71)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

71. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the increase or decrease in public expenditure in each of the past 20 years including the estimate for 2022; the steps being taken to ensure that public expenditure is sustainable over the medium-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11301/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Ensuring public expenditure is sustainable over the medium term is essential to allow us to continue 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 Covid-19 pandemic.

I have provided detailed information separately for the Deputy on the increase or decrease in public expenditure in each of the past 20 years in written form drawn from the Voted Public Expenditure Databank and from my Department’s internal monitoring system. In 2002, gross voted expenditure was just over €31.3 billion. This compares to total gross voted expenditure of up to €87.6 billion under Budget 2022.

Growth in gross voted expenditure over the 20 year timeframe to 2019, prior to the onset of Covid-19, was considered in conjunction with revenue and economic growth when setting the Medium Term Expenditure Strategy, published last July in the Summer Economic Statement, which lays out planned expenditure ceilings to 2025.

Gross voted expenditure grew at an annual average of 5.6% across this period, with the most recent five year interval of this time frame, the period from 2014 to 2019 showing annual average voted expenditure growth of c. 5%, broadly in line with growth in the economy as measured by GNI*. These increases supported incremental improvements in the provision of day-to-day services and social supports and significant uplifts in public investment and put the public finances in a position to support the significant fiscal response to Covid-19.

Public Expenditure

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (72, 99)

Gerald Nash

Question:

72. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to revise upward the Programme for Government commitment to move to 20% remote and or home working in light of the high demand to continue with a remote and hybrid model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11277/22]

Gerald Nash

Question:

99. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the blended working policy in the civil service; if employers will have the right to refuse blended working arrangements and will retain the right to require employees to attend the office under the proposed policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11276/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 99 together.

It is anticipated that the Blended Working Policy Framework will be finalised shortly, following conclusion of the engagement with employee representatives.  Once finalised, the Framework will be rolled out to all civil service organisations and will inform the development of organisational blended working policies which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.  On completion, each Department/Office will roll out their blended working policies and implementation plans. 

In line with Government commitments, the Civil Service will demonstrate leadership in moving proactively to this new blended working environment with a view to achieving at least 20% remote working initially.  Civil servants can request remote working and based on the needs of the business, employers can allow or refuse access to blended working.

On 23 January, my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment published the General Scheme of a Bill which will give employees the right to request remote working.  The Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2021 will, for the first time, provide a legal framework around which requesting, approving or refusing a request for remote work can be based.  The Blended Working Policy Framework will be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the Right to Request Remote Working legislation when it is enacted.

Coastal Protection

Questions (73)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 20 January 2022, the timeline for the expected completion of the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Managing Coastal Change; if the final report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11402/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The 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 Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which is providing the Secretariat to the Group, has informed my Office that a further meeting of the Inter-Departmental Group is due to be convened shortly to progress towards the finalisation of its report.  It is expected that the report will be finalised by the Group during quarter 2, 2022 and it is intended that the report will then be presented to the Government for its consideration, including as to publication of the report.

Departmental Staff

Questions (74)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

74. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the salaries and pensions paid out to special advisors to Ministers and Ministers of State in his Department in 2020 and 2021, broken down by Minister in tabular form. [11393/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The details requested by the Deputy on salaries and pensions in respect of Special Advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State employed in my Department in 2020 and 2021 will be set out in a table that will be supplied to the Deputy.

	2020 Salary and Pension	2021 Salary and Pension
Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform Pascal Donohoe	Total €58,133	n/a
Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath	Total €65,840	Total €195,242

The Deputy is aware that there was a change of government in 2020.

2020 salary costs for the Special Adviser to the former Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform Pascal Donohoe totalled €58,133.

I appointed 2 Special Advisers to my Department in 2020. Salary costs for these Special Advisers in 2020 totalled €65,840.

2021 salary costs for these Special Advisers were €195,242.

As the Special Advisers were serving in 2020 and 2021, no pensions were paid out from my department.

The Ministers of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment at my Department did not have Special Advisers appointed in 2020 or 2021.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (75)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

75. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that gardaí have been told the new uniform is unsuitable for court appearances; his views on whether this represents value for money given the estimated cost of provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11511/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Officials from the Office of Government Procurement in my Department assisted An Garda Síochána in the procurement process for a new uniform, with An Garda Síochána holding responsibility for developing the specifications based on requirements and intended use.  An Garda Síochána evaluated the tender submissions received, awarded the contract and made all the relevant decisions therein.

All public organisations are required under the Public Spending Code to treat public funds with care and to ensure that the best possible value for money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. 

The operational deployment of the new uniform is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (76)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

76. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact on public expenditure of the recently announced measures to help address cost of living issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11371/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In recognition of the challenges that households are facing with rising energy costs we announced a package of measures on 10 February.  

The package of measures is intended to be targeted and timely, in order to help with the immediate challenges that households are facing with energy costs. These measures seek to assist households on lower incomes and other families who are facing increased energy bills, and are set within an overall fiscal framework that seeks to ensure that we have the resources to deliver on our commitments to better services for our people.  The total gross cost of this package is expected to be c.€527 million.

The Revised Estimates 2022 set out an Government Expenditure Ceiling of €87,593 million, including funding already allocated to Departments of almost €83 billion with further amounts totalling just over €4.6 billion held in reserve. At this stage the costs of the package of measures are expected to be met from within the overall Government Expenditure Ceiling. 

Government is acutely aware of the need to provide support to households that are experiencing difficulties, and is also mindful of the need to ensure that our public finances return to a sustainable position and to avoid actions that could result in increased inflation. Sustainable public finances are essential to deliver improvements in key public services and infrastructure for our people. In this context, the package has focused on one-off temporary support measures that can quickly provide assistance to households, without pre-committing significant funding from the available resources for Budget 2023. 

Departmental Data

Questions (77)

Paul Murphy

Question:

77. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to the public finances of renting and leasing buildings from private property owners in total and broken down by Department or State agency over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11496/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

As Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) I can provide information in respect of leases held by the OPW only.    These leases are mainly in respect of office buildings and the OPW does not hold information on leases that other State bodies may have entered into directly themselves.

A key function of the OPW is to provide accommodation for all Government Departments.  In this regard, OPW holds a portfolio of property throughout the country to meet the various operational needs of the Civil Service, the Gardaí and various other State Bodies.  The OPW’s objective is to hold, manage and maintain a property portfolio that is aligned to Government delivery needs in terms of size, location, specification, value for money and optimum utilisation. 

The overall rental outturn from the OPW voted fund was €98.5m in 2020 and €103.3m in 2021.  The detailed information requested by the Deputy is being compiled at present and will be forwarded within the next 10 days.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (78)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amount of funding allocated for salaries and pensions by year and Department; and the percentage that this represented of Departmental budgets by year and Department from 2017 to 2022, in tabular form. [11394/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The proportion of Departmental spending on pay and pensions will vary in line with the functions carried out by each Department.  The latest available information on funding in relation to pay and pensions for the years 2017 to 2022 for each Department is set out below. 

The information for the years 2017 to 2019 is based on the appropriation account figures for those years which is published on the Voted Public Expenditure Databank. This will be updated with the 2020 Appropriation Account figures in due course.

2021 figures are initial estimates and are subject to change, and as provided by Departments in their Provisional Outturn returns which are currently being finalised. 2022 are based on the allocations in the Revised Estimates Volume 2022. Year on year comparisons of spending will be impacted by the transfer of functions between Departments.

	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Ministerial Vote Group	€'000	€'000	€'000	€'000	€'000	€'000
Agriculture, Food and the Marine Overall Gross	1387756	1546253	1635121	1674994	1688456	1891291
Pay	238862	252886	265877	281143	303571	325554
Pay % of Overall	17%	16%	16%	17%	18%	17%
Pensions	48638	50343	49421	51008	50403	54,437
Pensions % of Overall	4%	3%	3%	3%	3%	3%
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Overall Gross	1249984	1386854	1517775	1719144	1826884	2114791
Pay	284264	305488	317306	348198	354797	408463
Pay % of Overall	23%	22%	21%	20%	19%	19%
Pensions	6700	10853	12475	11217	16338	16,125
Pensions % of Overall	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
Defence Overall Gross	920571	943741	1007060	1032026	1046712	1107081
Pay	469540	471921	495774	487425	508312	545431
Pay % of Overall	51%	50%	49%	47%	49%	49%
Pensions	239910	242204	250853	250903	259697	270,468
Pensions % of Overall	26%	26%	25%	24%	25%	24%
Education Overall Gross	9598577	10226020	10373414	8595589	9261610	9282551
Pay	5687283	6128439	6285088	5506179	5854592	6070703
Pay % of Overall	59%	60%	61%	64%	63%	65%
Pensions	1251184	1340196	1385633	1250807	1311152	1,366,600
Pensions % of Overall	13%	13%	13%	15%	14%	15%
Enterprise, Trade and Employment Overall Gross	850832	836970	1436339	1764678	936837	903825
Pay	145323	158248	293586	169349	174692	190655
Pay % of Overall	17%	19%	20%	10%	19%	21%
Pensions	48896	49067	51204	50848	54373	55,285
Pensions % of Overall	6%	6%	4%	3%	6%	6%
Environment, Climate and Communications Overall Gross	502916	552365	587170	428267	626260	868,504
Pay	54698	61986	64881	66848	70991	90887
Pay % of Overall	11%	11%	11%	16%	11%	10%
Pensions	6649	7703	6971	7760	8595	8,484
Pensions % of Overall	1%	1%	1%	2%	1%	1%
Finance Overall Gross	457893	475411	524802	520526	542361	559976
Pay	321869	332359	350351	362775	376276	392405
Pay % of Overall	70%	70%	67%	70%	69%	70%
Pensions	0	0	0	0	0	0
Pensions % of Overall	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Foreign Affairs Overall Gross	706538	742525	809985	802615	834561	921327
Pay	99691	107017	119594	123478	130028	146017
Pay % of Overall	14%	14%	15%	15%	16%	16%
Pensions	0	0	0	0	0	0
Pensions % of Overall	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Overall Gross				3,167,419	3585302	3777256

Pay				1,229,246	1324014	1315651
Pay % of Overall				39%	37%	35%
Pensions				197475	353389	233,967
Pensions % of Overall				6%	10%	6%
Health Overall Gross	14798316	15974789	17459254	20809989	21669078	22193328
Pay	6901133	7497326	8066356	8953954	8858167	9420776
Pay % of Overall	47%	47%	46%	43%	41%	42%
Pensions	646975	664603	537828	518917	584717	617,929
Pensions % of Overall	4%	4%	3%	2%	3%	3%
Housing, Local Government and Heritage	2087158	3425362	4001055	5313943	5045883	5988484
Pay	54184	94430	82923	151876	161,658	185311
Pay % of Overall	3%	3%	2%	3%	3%	3%
Pensions	1703	1719	3561	9347	10,384	12,025
Pensions % of Overall	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Justice Overall Gross	2595461	2681023	2834282	2897562	3005177	3153497
Pay	1527282	1576217	1636848	1743009	1789341	1856598
Pay % of Overall	59%	59%	58%	60%	60%	59%
Pensions	327614	337686	344121	354822	378382	381,657
Pensions % of Overall	13%	13%	12%	12%	13%	12%
Public Expenditure and Reform Overall Gross	1067151	1175936	1214018	1280439	1376344	1537104
Pay	170791	188043	200238	209996	216009	245844
Pay % of Overall	16%	16%	16%	16%	16%	16%
Pensions	535593	573729	598961	629308	699642	707,976
% Pensions of Overall Budget	50%	49%	49%	49%	51%	46%
Rural & Community Development Overall Gross	136005	237483	290683	359418	331270	378548
Pay	7905	10787	12042	13374	14474	15884
Pay % of Overall	6%	5%	4%	4%	4%	4%
Pensions	38	21	21	37	22	38
% Pensions of Overall Budget	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Social Protection Overall Gross	19974860	20310859	20755078	30,456,905	30,262,298	23350648
Pay	298058	300455	299738	303757	315514	330655
Pay % of Overall	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
Pensions	1299	1105	1365	1321	1189	1,334
% Pensions of Overall Budget	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Taoiseach's Overall Gross	167661	171595	182715	209689	207777	282523
Pay	93374	98508	104338	113064	119703	163012
Pay % of Overall	56%	57%	57%	54%	58%	58%
Pensions	55	59	62	64	323	140
% Pensions of Overall Budget	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Overall Gross	299606	302311	335343	972063	1078546	1222420
Pay	77277	83157	87258	96911	105452	126417
Pay % of Overall	26%	28%	26%	10%	10%	10%
Pensions	7682	7973	8016	14022	15152	15,345
% Pensions of Overall Budget	3%	3%	2%	1%	1%	1%
Transport Overall Gross	1819108	2062925	2301192	2,679,587	3311108	3432494
Pay	83277	89902	101217	70593	74902	89975
Pay % of Overall	5%	4%	4%	3%	2%	3%
Pensions	10996	11645	10855	2575	2322	2,263
% Pensions of Overall Budget	1%	1%	0%	0%	0%	0%

*2017-2019 figures as published on the Voted Public Expenditure Databank. 2020 figures are as per Appropriation account returns on internal monitoring system, with the exception of the NTF figures which reflect the Provisional Outturn numbers supplied. 2021 figures are initial estimates and are subject to change, these are as per the Provisional Outturn returns from Departments on our internal monitoring system which are currently being finalised.  2022 figures are as per the Revised Estimates Volume 2022.

** Comparisons between years will be impacted by the transfers of functions between Departments.

 

Semi-State Bodies

Questions (79)

Paul Murphy

Question:

79. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that outstanding increases to pensions for semi-State workers are being authorised and paid over to pensioners by all Departments and State agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In the first instance, it is a matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual Commercial Semi State Bodies falls to consider and approve any changes to pension scheme rules or changes to discretionary benefits  with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This includes matters such as pension increase proposals.

Consideration of the affordability of pension increases is an important matter for review by the key stakeholders involved  in the pension schemes of the Commercial Semi State Bodies such as the parent Department, the scheme trustees and the employer. This requires careful analysis as part of the development of proposals by these bodies to ensure that pension increases are financially sustainable.

My Department considers proposals when a completed set of business case and technical assessment documents including all the necessary financial and actuarial analysis are submitted.

Under section 59 of the Pensions Act, 1990 it is a responsibility of trustees of pension schemes to ensure that arrangements are made for the payment of the benefits, as provided for under the rules of the scheme. This includes implementing increases to pension benefits once they have been properly approved by all parties and authorised for payment under scheme rules.

It is a matter for the relevant sectoral Department with responsibility for a particular Commercial Semi State Body to address whether or not there are any approved authorised pension increases which are outstanding despite having been approved.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (80, 101, 112, 116)

Paul Murphy

Question:

80. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has considered revisiting the current public sector pay agreement before the expiration at the end of 2022 considering the real difficulties faced by low and middle income workers in the view of inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11497/22]

Mick Barry

Question:

101. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will bring forward the pay talks with public sector trade unions given the cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11504/22]

Mick Barry

Question:

112. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that the upcoming pay talks with public sector unions will be able to deliver pay rises that will keep pace with inflation and the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11503/22]

Gerald Nash

Question:

116. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to open negotiations on a new public service pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11278/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 101, 112 and 116 together.

Public 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. 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 1 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 full report of the Body has now been submitted and is under consideration. I expect to bring the report to Government in the coming weeks.

As the Deputies 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 inflation and cost of living issues to which the Deputies have referred will feature in those discussions.

Service Level Agreements

Questions (81)

Thomas Gould

Question:

81. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role that he plays in the negotiation of the service level agreements at HSE level. [11473/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I do not have any role in the negotiation of service level agreements at HSE level. This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister of Health.

Public Procurement Contracts

Questions (82)

Richard Bruton

Question:

82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made in transforming the various public procurement protocols to embrace circular economy principles. [11136/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The existing legal framework for public procurement provides considerable opportunity to incorporate environmental, including circular economy, considerations into procurement projects. Under the European Union Procurement Directives, cost may be calculated using Life-Cycle Costing (LCC), which takes into account costs at end-of-life, such as those associated with disposal, as well as operational costs, such as energy use, and purchase price and associated costs, such as delivery. LCC may also include the cost of externalities, such as greenhouse gas emissions. The Directives allow inclusion of criteria relating to any stage in a product’s life-cycle, including production and end-of-life. Such criteria must be defined, quantifiable, verifiable, and measurable.

In 2019, my Department published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement. This instructs Departments to consider using green criteria in their procurements. In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published updated and expanded ‘Green Public Procurement – Guidance for the Public Sector’, accompanied by 10 sets of green criteria. These are mostly modelled on EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria, which were developed using Life-Cycle Assessment i.e. considering environmental impacts throughout the entire life-cycle. The EPA, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) have all actively promoted use of these criteria and the guidance. The guidance includes a section specifically on GPP and the Circular Economy. Elsewhere, it highlights circular approaches such as reuse, procurement of products with recycled content, resource sharing, procuring equipment that can be adapted over time or repaired, and LCC.

In 2021, the establishment of an Environmental subgroup of the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, co-chaired by the OGP Policy and the Circular Economy unit in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, has ensured coordination between Circular Economy policy and public procurement.

Legislative Measures

Questions (83)

Gerald Nash

Question:

83. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of and position regarding the proposed timeline for enactment of the regulation of lobbying (amendment) Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11275/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

On 15 February, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022. The General Scheme has been published and referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach for pre-legislative scrutiny.

I have instructed my officials to give whatever support the Committee requires in terms of briefing or clarification in respect of any of the heads of the Bill and have asked that this issue be prioritised, if at all possible, given the key role that regulation of lobbying legislation plays in supporting transparency and citizen participation. 

In tandem with pre-legislative scrutiny, my officials will work closely with the Office of the Attorney General on the priority drafting of the Bill. 

I would anticipate that the Bill will be drafted and published in the coming months and that it will be enacted as soon as possible thereafter.

Judicial Reviews

Questions (84)

Dara Calleary

Question:

84. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public infrastructure projects that have been delayed by the legal action take over the River Bride project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11392/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I am advised that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed the River Bride (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme, with an estimated cost of €20.5m, in March 2021, and construction was expected to commence in early 2022. 

In June 2021, the community group, Save Our Bride Otters (SOBO), was granted leave to apply for a Judicial Review of the decision of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to approve the River Bride (Blackpool) Flood Relief Scheme. A stay was also granted on works being carried out pursuant to the Decision, pending the resolution of these proceedings.

Following an extensive legal review of the grounds of the Judicial Review, and the statutory processes around the decision-making process, the Department of Public Expenditure has agreed to consent to an order reverting the evaluation of the Blackpool Flood Relief scheme back to an advanced stage of further public consultation. In agreeing to this, the Department of Public Expenditure has conceded the matter on a single ground related to public consultation procedures on certain information as part of the confirmation process.

Two other flood relief schemes are also currently under consideration by the Minister for Expenditure and Reform for Ministerial Confirmation pursuant to the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995 (as amended). These are the River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Scheme, and the River Deel (Crossmolina) Scheme. 

In respect of any schemes submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for confirmation, it is important to note that, under Section 7.E of the Arterial Drainage Act Regulations 2019, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform can (a) make an order confirming the scheme, (b) refuse to confirm the scheme, or (c) refer the scheme back to the Commissioners of Public Works for revision in specified respects. 

It is necessary therefore to ensure that all legal requirements, including any existing or emerging case law, have been fully considered and complied with when making and confirming his decision in respect of any schemes, including those mentioned above, to ensure that decisions are robust as any decision taken by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under Section 7.E(a), (b) or (c) is subject to Judicial Review.

The confirmation process for these schemes is a matter for the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Office of Public Works will continue to engage with Department for Public Expenditure and Reform as appropriate to further progress the schemes.

Departmental Funding

Questions (85)

Gerald Nash

Question:

85. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that his Department chose to discontinue funding which led to the winding-up of an organisation (details supplied); the reason his Department would not work with the organisation as requested to transition to new institutional and governance arrangements; if his Department will provide costings and a timeline for the development of a database involving data covering certain non-profit sector entities which he has said will be developed by Pobal and the Department of Rural and Community Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11279/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has provided grant funding to Benefacts since 2015. The project was funded as a pathfinder initiative in the area of data analytics on the non-profit sector. Benefacts was initially co-funded with philanthropy, however in recent years the Department has been providing the majority of funding to the entity.

In 2019, my Department commissioned an independent report to provide analysis of the market for data on the non-profit sector. This report examined, inter alia, issues around the demand for the data concerned; methodologies and technologies used; the potential for direct provision by the State of these services itself, and; the maturity of the market to provide these services efficiently. On foot of this report, my Department decided in 2020 that the business case for its continued funding of Benefacts was no longer justified and accordingly the decision was made to terminate funding. This decision was notified to the Chairperson of the Board of Benefacts and other relevant stakeholders from June 2020.

It was originally intended to terminate the funding arrangement in December 2020 but, in recognition that other public service bodies with direct policy involvement in the not-for-profit sector may have wished to consider whether they had an appreciable business case to continue funding Benefacts, my Department agreed to fund the initiative up to the end of 2021. This provision was made to facilitate relevant public service bodies to consider their position and to assess all of the options in relation to their respective business needs concerning data on the not-for-profit sector. 

In April 2021, my Department reaffirmed its 2020 decision to relevant parties concerned. Furthermore, in acknowledgment of the impact of Covid-19 on this deliberative process, a final three month extension of funding up to the 31st March 2022 was sanctioned late last year.  As of February 2022, no department or agency has identified an appreciable business to fund the service.

I understand Benefacts did raise the possibility of alternative institutional and governance arrangements, however these proposals did not address all of the key matters identified in the review undertaken in 2020. 

The factors influencing the original decision from 2020  have not changed materially and, consequently, the decision of my Department to terminate the funding remains unaltered. My officials are continuing to work closely with the staff and Board of Benefacts to ensure that all necessary requirements as part of its cessation plan can be met.

My Department understands that the Department of Rural and Community Development have indicated a willingness to explore whether a need to develop a different database for not-for-profit sector exists, in addition to the database already provided by the Charities Regulator. Issues in relation to any such potential proposal are a matter for the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (86)

John Lahart

Question:

86. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the recently announced package on the cost of living will require any revised estimates to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11478/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In recognition of the challenge that households are facing at the moment, in particular those on low incomes, a suite of measures was announced on February 10th to assist citizens with rising costs of living.  This package sought to balance targeting the main underlying problem of higher energy prices with the need to operate with the fiscal framework set out in the Summer Economic Statement.  This package, with the energy credit of €100 per household announced late last year, has a value of over half a billion euro and  will build on the range of supports introduced in Budget 2022 to address costs of living. The package comprises:

- A lump sum payment of €125 to recipients of Fuel Allowance to be paid in March;                

- An increase in the Energy Credit payment announced in December from €100 exclusive of VAT to €200 inclusive of VAT; 

- Applying the Budget 2022 increase of €10 in the weekly income threshold for the Working Family Payment from April rather than June;

- Further reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, having been reduced to €100 per month in Budget 2022;           

- Reducing the maximum annual School Transport charge to €150 per family at primary level and €500 per family at post-primary level for the next academic year;

- A 20% reduction in PSO Public Transport fares from May until the end of 2022.

The Energy Credit is the main anticipated cost among these measures, with a cost of up to €400 million set out in the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022. This legislation provides for the establishment of a scheme to make a payment to domestic electricity accounts, on an exceptional basis due to the global rise in energy prices. Given that this cost is considerable in relation to the original Estimate for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, a Supplementary Estimate will be required for Vote 29 to provide for this which I will present to Dáil Éireann for consideration and agreement following approval by Government.

Further Supplementary Estimates may be required later this year to provide for the other measures contained in the package, which fall under the remits of the Departments of Social Protection; Health, Transport and Education,  to the extent that these costs cannot be met within the existing allocations provided.

Departmental Priorities

Questions (87, 113)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

87. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures he proposes to take, if any, to combat inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11314/22]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department can utilise reform as a means of combatting inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11315/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 113 together.

The Government is aware of the challenge posed to households, particularly those on lower incomes, by the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices.  In recognition of this, a suite of measures was announced on February 10th to mitigate the impact of recent inflation on citizens and assist with rising costs of living. 

This package will build on the measures announced as part of Budget 2022, which included a range of measures to support citizens with the rising cost of living, including social protection rate increases, increases in tax bands and other affordability measures. Later last year, Government acted quickly to respond to the increase in energy costs by committing to an energy credit of €100 for all domestic account holders. With this earlier energy credit commitment, the package of measures announced post-Budget 2022 has a value of some half a billion euro. The package comprises:

A lump sum payment of €125 to recipients of Fuel Allowance to be paid in March;               

- An increase in the Energy Credit payment announced in December from €100 exclusive of VAT to €200 inclusive of VAT;

- Applying the Budget 2022 increase of €10 in the weekly income threshold for the Working Family Payment from April rather than June;

- Further reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, having been reduced to €100 per month in Budget 2022;          

- Reducing the maximum annual School Transport charge to €150 per family at primary level and €500 per family at post-primary level for the next academic year;

- A 20% reduction in PSO Public Transport fares from May until the end of 2022.

While this will not combat the causes of the inflation we are currently seeing, which is mainly due to external factors such as higher oil prices and pandemic-induced supply chain bottlenecks in key regions along with the rapid rebound in the domestic economy, it will provide timely support to all households who may be experiencing difficulties as a result of rising prices. The package sought to balance targeting the main underlying problem of higher energy prices with the need to operate with the fiscal framework set out in the Summer Economic Statement and so has been designed to specifically target energy costs, while using the social welfare system to target additional support to those who are in receipt of the fuel allowance.

A range of budgetary reforms have been put in place in recent years, to drive spending efficiency and effectiveness and the Programme for Government commits to continuing reform and improvement of the budgetary process. This work includes the ‘whole-of-year’ budgetary framework, the Spending Review process, Performance Budgeting and Equality Budgeting and the development of the Wellbeing Framework for Ireland.

Given the significant level of resources to be provided under the medium term expenditure strategy, an ongoing and enhanced focus on value for money is required, looking at the quality of expenditure and what it delivers for citizens. It is in this context that all expenditure decisions will be taken, as part of the Budget 2023 process, to examine any further measures that may be required to address cost of living issues.