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Tuesday, 26 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 536-555

Office of Public Works

Questions (536)

Michael McNamara

Question:

536. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW is responsible for the upkeep of embankments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19207/22]

View answer

Written answers

Local flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.  

Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects.  Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie.

The ongoing maintenance of the completed works including embankment is the responsibility of the Local Authority. 

Public Appointments Service

Questions (537)

Michael Ring

Question:

537. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when candidates for a competition (details supplied) will be employed from the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19239/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the principal recruiter for the civil service.  It establishes panels from competitions, with candidates ranked in order of merit, that are available to civil service employers to access as vacancies arise.

In the case of the referenced 2021 Clerical Officer competition, I am advised by PAS that some 190 assignments have been made to date nationally from the panel formed.  Assignments will continue to be made from this panel until January 2023.  Candidates should contact PAS directly regarding their placement on the panel for a particular region.

All recruitment is demand led and placement on a PAS recruitment panel is not a guarantee of appointment to a civil service position.   

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (538, 567)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

538. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that flexi-leave will be taken into account for those who work less than five days per week further to the publication of the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework; if details of the way that blended and hybrid work will take flexi-leave into consideration will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19459/22]

View answer

Joe O'Brien

Question:

567. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will update its guidance to public sector employers in relation to the temporary suspension of flexi-time arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 567 together.

Due to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on normal working arrangements, the operation of traditional flexi-time and attendance management rules do not support the flexible arrangements and agility required during this extraordinary situation. These arrangements were temporarily suspended in April 2020 to facilitate the required new ways of working across the public service. 

The normal operation of flexi-time, or equivalent attendance management rules, including any flexi-time accruals and deficits, continues to remain temporarily suspended for those employees who are working under different arrangements. This includes those who are working from home or working a pattern of working from home/in the work premises.

Flexi-time accrual arrangements were re-introduced from August 2020 in circumstances where employees are attending the employer’s work premises for the full complement of their normal, pre-COVID work attendance patterns and rostered hours.

Remote working in the Civil Service, post COVID-19, will be facilitated on a blended basis.  In this context, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in consultation with employers across the Civil Service has developed a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. The Framework was published on 31st March 2022 and has been distributed to all Civil Service organisations to allow for the development of their own blended working policies.  When completed, each Department/Office will roll out their blended working policies and implementation plans. 

Flexitime accrual for civil servants availing of a blended working arrangement is to be tested by way of pilots. Officials in my Department have commenced working with Civil Service colleagues to discuss the details and implementation of the pilots, which will be conducted over the coming months.

Ukraine War

Questions (539)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

539. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has met with an organisation (details supplied) and other construction industry companies in relation to the provision of leased modular units to provide accommodation to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; the persons he has met with; and the proposals and the financing costs to the Exchequer under that are consideration. [19461/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) were tasked by the Department of the Taoiseach to look at a modular accommodation response to the current Ukraine refugee crisis.  The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) approached the OPW with a representative sample of modular accommodation manufacturers.  The meetings covered compliance with building standards, occupancy capacity, buildability, programme and outline costs.   A complete picture of costs cannot be finalized until the availability of suitable sites has been sourced. This information was presented to the Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce, chaired by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, for consideration among a variety of other options.

Departmental Staff

Questions (540)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

540. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the details of all circumstances in which employees were seconded from the private sector to the public sector in cases in which the private sector employer continued to pay the employee’s salary in all such cases in the past three years as referenced his recent comments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19522/22]

View answer

Written answers

I can confirm that there have been no employees seconded from the private sector to my Department over the past three years.

My Department does not hold central information in relation to secondments from the private sector to the public sector.  Given the broad reach of this question, the Deputy would need to seek this information on such secondments directly from the relevant Ministers in respect of each department and public bodies under its aegis. 

Trade Unions

Questions (541, 542)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

541. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of consultation with the trade unions that represent healthcare workers regarding the changes to special leave with pay arrangements that were brought in on 6 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19529/22]

View answer

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

542. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of consultation with trade unions that represent teachers and school staff regarding the changes to special leave with pay arrangements that were brought in on 6 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19530/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.

Special leave with pay is currently used in lieu of sick leave for COVID-19 across the public service to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises. The arrangements relating to the application of special leave with pay for COVID-19 is a temporary measure which has been kept under regular review and has changed in a timely and responsive manner throughout the pandemic.

My officials met with officials from the ICTU Public Services Committee and non-ICTU associations in advance of the changes which took effect from 07 February 2022. I would like to thank union officials’ for their continued engagement on these matters, which often occurs at short notice.

My officials are keeping Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 for public service employees under regular review, taking into account the evolving circumstances and Government and public health advice.

Question No. 542 answered with Question No. 541.

Office of Government Procurement

Questions (543)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

543. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Government Procurement will establish a specialised cloud services procurement framework, particularly in view of the recent appointment by the OGP of external consultants to examine the area of cloud services and the importance of the cloud as a tool to delivering the Government’s digital ambitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19531/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Government Procurement is currently considering its future strategy in relation to the procurement of cloud services.  Consultants were engaged to assist with the demand analysis for such services. The demand analysis is one of the many inputs that OGP is currently considering.  Any potential procurement arrangements for cloud services will be conducted through a public procurement competition(s) advertised on www.etender.ie.

Departmental Staff

Questions (544)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

544. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity in tabular form following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19554/22]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently no staff of my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, on secondment to the public, private or semi-private sector on the specific basis set out in the question.

There are 18 staff of my Department that are seconded out to the Civil or Public Service.  Of these 18 staff members, the salaries of 16 are paid directly by the host organisations.  While the salaries of the remaining 2 staff members are still paid by my Department, this cost will be recouped in full from the host organisation and are of no overall cost to my Department.  

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (545)

Holly Cairns

Question:

545. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit run apprenticeship programmes or are directly engaged in the training of apprentices; if so, the number of apprentices involved; the specialities in which they are being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19589/22]

View answer

Written answers

In conjunction with FastTrack into Information Technology (FIT) and the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB), my Department led the establishment of a two year, full-time Pilot ICT Apprenticeship Programme for the Civil Service that ran from 2019 to 2021.  This saw the recruitment of 34 ICT apprentices across 11 Civil Service organisations, including six employed in my Department, on the Software Development and Network Engineer apprenticeships. 

Of the 34 who commenced the programme in 2019, 24 apprentices successfully completed the programme and were awarded their Level 6 NFQ Award.  In addition, 23 opted to compete in a confined recruitment competition undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in 2021, and were successful in being appointed to permanent positions as Executive Officer ICT Specialists and are now working in 9 Civil Service organisations.   The use of ICT apprenticeships has successfully demonstrated the benefits of exploring alternative pathways for recruitment to the Civil Service and my Department is working with relevant stakeholders to scope a new ICT apprenticeship intake towards the end of this year.

A number of the bodies under the aegis of my Department also participate in a number of apprenticeship programmes:

 

Apprenticeship Programme

No. of Apprentices

Office of Public Works

Wood Manufacturing and Finishing

2

 

Carpentry and Joinery

4

 

Stonemasonry and Stonecutting

7

 

Metal Fabrication

1

Public Appointments Service

Recruitment Executive (NFQ Level 8)

3  

Officials from my Department are working closely with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to scope the potential for the expansion of apprenticeships within the Civil Service in the context of the planned development of a Public Sector Apprenticeship Plan as a key action under the National Action Plan for Apprenticeships 2021-2025.

Departmental Staff

Questions (546)

Carol Nolan

Question:

546. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons employed by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department with a rate of pay below the living wage of €12.30; the role that those persons occupy within his Department or relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19634/22]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week, there are no staff in my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, that earn less than €12.30 per hour. 

This is also the position with regard to the National Shared Services Office, the Public Appointments Service, the State Laboratory, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the National Lottery Regulator.  The position in respect of the Office of Public Works is set out in the table below.

 

No. of Staff in this category 

Role of Staff

Office of Public Works (OPW)

12

Supported General Operative

 

4

Specified Purpose Apprentice

 

1

Horticultural Assistant (Fixed term contract)

Transport Costs

Questions (547)

Marian Harkin

Question:

547. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of 23 March 2022, if he will carry out a review on the travel expenses of public health nurses and community RGNs as a matter of urgency (details supplied) given the current increases in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19643/22]

View answer

Written answers

It is established policy that travel for work in the civil and public service should, where possible, be by public transport.  Where this is not possible, mileage payments may be made and mileage arrangements are designed to recoup travelling officers for expenses genuinely incurred in respect of work related travel and should not be viewed as a source of emolument or profit.

Motor travel rates were last reviewed in 2017 and the current rates are set out in Circular 05/2017: Motor Travel Rates. These rates are currently being reviewed by my officials and work is ongoing on devising new rates reflecting current input costs.  Proposals for revised rates will be discussed, as per existing agreements, with staff representative associations.

It is anticipated that the review will be completed shortly with a view to seeking agreement with staff representative associations by the end of the second quarter of this year.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government has already reduced  Excise Duty by 20 cent per litre of petrol and 15 cent per litre of diesel, on the 9th of March 2022.

Departmental Advertising

Questions (548)

Michael Ring

Question:

548. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an advertisement has been issued for building works (details supplied); if so, if his Department will fund these building works; the up to date position regarding the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19644/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) were tasked by the Department of the Taoiseach to look at a modular accommodation response to the current Ukraine refugee crisis. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) approached the OPW with a representative sample of modular accommodation manufacturers. The meetings covered compliance with building standards, occupancy capacity, buildability, programme and outline costs. A complete picture of costs cannot be finalized until the availability of suitable sites has been sourced. This information was presented to the Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce, chaired by DHLGH, for consideration among a variety of other options. Any advertisement will need to be considered as part of a potential procurement process.

Energy Usage

Questions (549)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

549. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform he special measures his Department is taking to reduce energy usage in the scenario in which members of the public are being asked to do the same. [19647/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department works to reduce its carbon footprint primarily through the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy.  The Department's performance in that regard is reflected in the 2021 Annual Report on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance, prepared by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  This sets out details of the energy efficiency performance of public bodies in Ireland and notes that overall, this Department's Energy Group, which comprises 9 bodies, including the Department itself, has achieved 45% energy savings to end 2020, making it more efficient than the baseline and achieving its 2020 target.  The Department’s own energy saving of 60% remains on track for the 2030 target and has been achieved mainly by measures such as behavioural changes and better energy management and space utilisation.

The Department will continue to contribute to the implementation of the Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy, in conjunction with the bodies under its aegis, the Department of Finance in the context of a number of shared buildings, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the SEAI.  

The Department has also published a Resource Efficiency Action Plan (REAP) to assist the Department and its staff in making savings in water, materials and energy use, as well as preventing food waste and maximising recycling within the work environment

In addition, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has demonstrated significant success with regard to energy efficiency in its portfolio of buildings, of which my Department is a part, over many years.  The bulk of the savings have been achieved through a large scale staff energy awareness campaign (Optimising Power @ Work).  Launched in 2008, the campaign operates in over 275 large Central Government buildings (this covers approximately 80% of the energy usage in the OPW portfolio).  Average energy savings of over 25% have been achieved through this initiative.  

The OPW is currently working with SEAI to secure additional funding (€20m) over a 3-year period for deeper energy retrofit pathfinder projects in OPW buildings. In addition to the type of upgrades carried out in the previous programme, the new projects will also include substantial building fabric and air tightness upgrades.  The energy standard that will be required in these projects will be to achieve a minimum BER B after the energy retrofit works are complete.

In addition to its work on energy efficiency, the Department continues to participate in the state led schemes that assist in reducing Ireland's carbon footprint more generally. These include the cycle-to-work scheme, the travel-tax saver scheme and the promotion of green initiatives, such as recycling etc., within the Department.  

Legislative Programme

Questions (550)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

550. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he proposes to introduce the necessary legislation to support the Government’s policy concerning the allocation of the revenue collected from the carbon tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19689/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Finance Act 2020 legislated for a schedule of annual carbon tax increases over the period 2021 – 2030. All revenues resulting from the increases in carbon tax will be allocated in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to use the revenue raised from these increases to fund €9.5bn in additional spending. 

- €5bn of the expected €9.5bn in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency;

- €1.5 billion of additional current funding will be made available over 2021 – 2030 for new schemes that will assist farmers to address the climate and environmental challenges in the agricultural sector;

- The remaining €3 billion in funding will be explicitly used to ensure that increases in the carbon tax are progressive by tackling fuel poverty and providing for a Just Transition.

Each year, alongside the Budget, my Department issues a publication on the use of carbon tax funds for the forthcoming year. This paper details the specific allocation of carbon tax funds in line with the Programme for Government commitments and provides some detail on the programme areas that will receive additional funding.

In 2022, €202 million of this additional carbon tax revenue has been allocated to residential and community energy efficiency. This funding has permitted the launch of a range of new and expanded supports for energy efficiency, including 80% grants for attic and cavity wall insulation and grant support of up to 50% for deep efficiency measures. More than half of these funds are also being used to provide free of charge energy efficiency upgrades to households in, or at risk of, energy poverty. 

A further €174m of carbon tax revenues in 2022 are being spent on targeted social protection measures, such as increases in the fuel allowance, the living alone allowance, and the qualified child payment. Analysis has demonstrated that this allocation to compensatory welfare measures means that the net impact of the carbon tax is progressive in 2022. Households in the bottom four income deciles will see all of the cost of the carbon tax increase offset. Households in the bottom three deciles are better off as a result of the carbon increase and the compensatory welfare measures. 

The remaining revenues (€36m) have been allocated to fund the continuation of the 2020 and 2021 Carbon Tax Investment Programme. The specific programme allocations are detailed on the Department's website and include support for the Just Transition Fund, peatlands rehabilitation, the Greenway and Urban Cycling programmes, grants for Electric Vehicle purchase and infrastructure, green agricultural pilot schemes and  a contribution to the Green Climate Fund, which provides financial support to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. 

As the Deputy will note, my Department and I are committed to providing complete transparency on the allocation of carbon tax revenues. Full details on 2022 allocations are available in the Departmental paper "The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2022", available at - assets.gov.ie/201264/5c96e5cd-b663-4887-bf2e-e13a393ffc50.pdf 

Departmental Data

Questions (551)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

551. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a percentage breakdown of the areas (details supplied) in which the funds collected from carbon tax are spent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19728/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Programme for Government commits to hypothecating all additional carbon tax receipts over 2021-2030 (estimated at €9.5bn) in order to:

- Ensure that the increases in the carbon tax are progressive by spending €3 billion on targeted social welfare and other initiatives to prevent fuel poverty and ensure a just transition;

- Provide €5 billion to part fund a socially progressive national retrofitting programme; &

- Allocate €1.5bn of additional funding to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way.

Each year, alongside the Budget, my Department issues a publication on the use of carbon tax funds for the forthcoming year. This paper details the specific allocation of carbon tax funds in line with the Programme for Government commitments and provides some detail on the programme areas that will receive additional funding.

In 2022, the carbon tax revenue available for investment is €412m. This is comprised of the revenue made available in 2021 (€148m) and 2020 (€90m) and an additional €174m in 2022. 

€202 million of this additional carbon tax revenue has been allocated to residential and community energy efficiency in 2022. This funding has permitted the launch of a range of new and expanded supports for energy efficiency, including 80% grants for attic and cavity wall insulation and grant support of up to 50% for deep efficiency measures. More than half of these funds are also being used to provide free of charge energy efficiency upgrades to households in, or at risk of, energy poverty. 

A further €174m of carbon tax revenues in 2022 are being spent on targeted social protection measures, such as increases in the fuel allowance, the living alone allowance, and the qualified child payment. Analysis has demonstrated that this allocation to compensatory welfare measures means that the net impact of the carbon tax is progressive in 2022. Households in the bottom four income deciles will see all of the cost of the carbon tax increase offset. Households in the bottom three deciles are better off as a result of the carbon increase and the compensatory welfare measures. 

The remaining revenues (€36m) were allocated to fund the continuation of the 2020 and 2021 Carbon Tax Investment Programme. The specific programme allocations are detailed on the Department's website and include support for the Just Transition Fund, peatlands rehabilitation, the Greenway and Urban Cycling programmes, grants for Electric Vehicle purchase and infrastructure, green agricultural pilot schemes and  a contribution to the Green Climate Fund, which provides financial support to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries and to help vulnerable societies adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. 

Full details on the allocation of carbon tax revenues are available in the Departmental paper "The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2022", available at - assets.gov.ie/201264/5c96e5cd-b663-4887-bf2e-e13a393ffc50.pdf 

Departmental Staff

Questions (552)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

552. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the salaries and expenses paid to advisers, Ministers and or Ministers of State in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [19751/22]

View answer

Written answers

The details requested by the Deputy on salaries and expenses paid in respect of advisers, Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department in 2020, 2021 and 2022 are set out in the tables below.

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

The 2020 figures below are inclusive of the former and current government.

Minister

Salary

Expenses Paid

2020

€82,435

€10,319

2021

€80,976

€10,825

2022 to date

€25,280

€1,311

Minister of State

Salary

Expenses Paid

2020

€38,383

n/a

2021

€39,522

€1,148

2022 to date

€12,364

n/a

Special Advisers

Salary

Expenses Paid

2020

€123,973

n/a

2021

€195,242

n/a

2022 to date

€61,730

€591

State Bodies

Questions (553)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

553. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the State bodies that are bound by the Code of Conduct for State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19784/22]

View answer

Written answers

My Department publishes the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The Code provides a broad framework for the application of best practice in corporate governance. The Code applies to both commercial and non-commercial State bodies. The Code itself notes that it should be read in accordance with any specific legislative provisions that govern specific state bodies, and that in the event of any conflict the legislative provisions prevail.

Departmental Staff

Questions (554)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

554. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19874/22]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently 17 staff members seconded into my Department from the civil and public sector, and 18 staff members from my Department seconded out to the civil and public service. 

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is under the remit of my Department currently have no staff members seconded to them from the Public Sector, and have 2 staff members seconded out to the Public Sector. 

The Secondment Policy, and associated Guidelines and FAQs, published by my Department in 2021 sets out the current arrangements for secondments between Civil Service organisations. This Secondment Policy also provides that the same principles may be applied to secondment arrangements between a parent department and a non-civil service body within its sector.

Secondments provide staff members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive post at the end of the secondment. It also provides an opportunity for the receiving organisation to fill a temporary position with both the receiving and sending organisation benefitting from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience.

A copy of the Civil Service Secondment Policy Circular Letter and the living Guidance and FAQs are available at hr.per.gov.ie/en/corporate-pages/career/mobility/secondment/#article-section-policy-guidance-and-faqs-for-civil-service-organisations. 

Civil Service

Questions (555, 556, 557, 558)

David Cullinane

Question:

555. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is permissible for a civil servant to enter into a secondment arrangement of greater than five years; the circumstances under which this may be permissible; the processes which must be followed in the event of a secondment of beyond five years in duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19936/22]

View answer

David Cullinane

Question:

556. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a secondment of indefinite duration or otherwise without a specific term is permissible for civil servants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19937/22]

View answer

David Cullinane

Question:

557. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a secondment may occur to an unadvertised position created in conjunction with the secondee; the relevant provisions within the current civil service rules which apply to a secondment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19964/22]

View answer

David Cullinane

Question:

558. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the circulars and other documents which set out the current extent of active civil service secondment policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19966/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 555, 556, 557 and 558 together.

The Secondment Policy, and associated Guidelines and FAQs, published by my Department last year formalised an approach to secondments within the Civil Service, recognising that a number of administrative arrangements had evolved across the Civil Service over time.

A copy of the Civil Service Secondment Policy Circular Letter and the Guidance and FAQs are available at hr.per.gov.ie/en/corporate-pages/career/mobility/secondment/#article-section-policy-guidance-and-faqs-for-civil-service-organisations.

The Secondment Policy and associated terms were designed to complement the Civil Service Mobility scheme (which is for permanent moves between Civil Service organisations) in that it enables the filling of positions concurrent with a strategic project/placement that require specialist knowledge and skillset for a defined period of time.  There is no mobility scheme in place across the Public Service.

Secondments provide staff members with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive post at the end of the secondment. It provides staff with opportunities to broaden their skills and continue their professional and personal development while retaining the right to return to their substantive or equivalent position in the sending organisation at the end of the secondment. It also provides an opportunity for the receiving organisation to fill a temporary position with both the receiving and sending organisations benefitting from shared learning, good practice, new ideas and experience.

Secondments between Civil Service organisations require sanction from my Department to fill a position through secondment prior to advertisement through the Public Appointments Service.  However Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) which support the Secondment Policy - see link above - set out exceptions to this sanction approval requirement.  These typically include specialist skill placements or existing arrangements in place between organisations or within a sector (e.g. AGO, CSO, IGEES, CSSO, C&AG, various EU programmes, diplomatic missions abroad, arrangements between a parent department and a non-civil service body within its sector).

This Secondment Policy also provides that the same principles and guidance may be applied to secondment arrangements between a parent Department and a non-civil service body within its sector.

It is not a requirement for Public Service bodies, as distinct from Civil Service organisations, to seek sanction from my Department to fill a position through secondment. This is a matter between the Public Service body and its parent Department.

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