Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department measures the penetration of green procurement within total procurement; the estimated penetration levels achieved; and the adequacy of policies to achieve increased penetration. [21001/22]
View answerIn 2019, my Department published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement. This Circular requires departments to incorporate relevant green procurement measures into their reporting cycles.
The Circular further advises that an Annual Report template with an accompanying guidance note will be made available by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). Each Department is required to report annually on progress in relation to Green Public Procurement to DECC. To this end, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), published Green Public Procurement (GPP): Monitoring and Reporting by Government Departments in April 2022. The report identifies that Government departments reported a total spend of €53.765 million on contracts over €25,000, signed in 2020, that included green criteria representing an average of 17% of the total spend reported on contracts over €25,000 and 26% of the total number of contracts over €25,000.
Since 2020, there has been increased collaboration between my officials in the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the EPA to develop and implement policy to enhance uptake of GPP. In line with the Programme for Government, the OGP and its partner Central Purchasing Bodies (CPBs) are greening centralised purchasing arrangements. In 2021, the OGP and DECC jointly established an Environmental subgroup of the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, to facilitate discussion across CPBs and relevant departments and agencies on approaches to incorporate environmental considerations into procurement. In 2021, the EPA updated its ‘Green Public Procurement - Guidance for the Public Sector’. This was accompanied by defined, quantifiable, verifiable, and measurable green criteria for 10 sectors. The OGP, DECC, and EPA have extensively promoted use of these criteria in procurement. The EPA also provided training on GPP to procurement officers and others in public bodies during 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the EPA will focus on training officials in government departments.
In December 2021, a Government Decision was taken for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to review ‘Green Tenders’ – Ireland’s National Action Plan on GPP. This review is underway.
Much has been achieved since 2020 to facilitate GPP, and I am confident that the range of national policies addressing GPP in Climate Action Plan 2019, the Programme for Government, Interim Climate Actions 2021, Climate Action Plan 2021, and the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy will drive the uptake of GPP.
122. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding he is allocating to support Government initiatives that are helping Ukraine and the Ukrainian people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20546/22]
View answerThe situation in Ukraine and providing for Ukrainian refugees is a key concern for the Government. We are providing support both through the overseas humanitarian aid and support for refugees arriving on our shores. Providing supports for arrivals from Ukraine is a key humanitarian concern for the Government but one which is likely to have significant costs.
As we are yet at an early stage of movement of people into the country, estimating the exact cost of providing supports to Ukrainian refugees is difficult. The range of potential arrivals is large and the demographic and labour market participation profile of the cohort is unknown. In particular the cost of providing supports is highly sensitive to the accommodation solutions provided.
The 2022 Revised Estimates outlined a contingency of €3.9 billion for 2022, taking account of amounts effectively committed through the extension of Covid supports and introduction of one-off measures to support citizens address the cost of living leaves some two and a half billion remaining uncommitted.
Where the funding requirements to meet the costs of the humanitarian provision for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland cannot be met by Departments through re-prioritisation of existing resources, it is intended that where allocations are required they would in the first instance be met from the remaining €2½ billion reserve, without requiring an increase in the Government Expenditure Ceiling. However, it should be noted that there may be further demands on this reserve for Covid related spending, depending on position with the virus later in the year.
Moving beyond this year estimating costs becomes even more difficult as length of stay and movement into the labour market are unknown, therefore the recently published Draft Stability Programme Update included a contingency amount of €3 billion for Ukrainian refugees.
The scale of funding needed, for 2022 and future years, will be considered further on an ongoing basis, including in the context of the Summer Economic Statement.
123. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of any review being undertaken by his Department on the national development plan in view of the marked increase in construction inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21434/22]
View answerMy Department monitors construction sector trends, including inflation, on an ongoing basis. In addition to reporting on the progress of the portfolio of projects that make up the NDP through the Capital tracker, my Department also publishes the Build Report on construction sector prospects and performance.
As the Deputy will be aware, construction sector inflation represents a risk to delivery of the ambitious public investment programme set out in the NDP. A number of actions have been taken in response.
In January the Office of Government Procurement introduced measures applying to new public works contracts. Under these arrangements the fixed price period is reduced to 24 months and mutual cost recovery is permitted within the fixed price period for material price changes in excess of 15%. The new arrangements also introduce indexation of the materials element of the tender sum from the point at which the tender is submitted to the award of the contract.
These measures are intended to provide greater certainty to contractors to aid project delivery over the course of a contract.
While these are short-term actions, my Department is also pursuing medium-term policy initiatives to support resilience and sustainability in the sector. These include increasing the pipeline of apprenticeships and supporting policies to improve productivity. In this regard, my Department has established and funded the Build Digital project which will support enhanced innovation and increased digital adoption across the Irish construction sector.
124. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the recently announced measures to tackle the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21193/22]
View answerGovernment is acutely aware of the challenge that rising prices pose to many households, in particular for those on lower incomes. In light of this, a number of targeted support measures have been announced recently which build on the measures under Budget 2022 to provide additional assistance, focused on providing support against increased energy prices.
In February Government announced a package of support measures to mitigate the impact of cost of living pressures, with a value of over half a billion euro including the earlier announced €100 Energy Credit. This comprised:
- An increase in the energy credit to €200 including VAT, estimated to impact just over 2 million households.
- A lump sum payment of €125, paid in March, to fuel allowance recipients.
- To reduce the burden on people returning to the workplace and other people using public transport, there will be a temporary reduction, to the end of the year, in fares of 20% on PSO public transport services. This was implemented in April for routes outside Dublin and is to be implemented in May in the Greater Dublin Area. This will benefit approximately 800,000 daily users.
- The Drug Payment Scheme threshold is further reduced to €80 per month, having been reduced to €100 per month in Budget 2022. This will benefit just over 70,000 recipients.
- The increase in the threshold for the working family payment announced on Budget Day has been brought forward from June to April.
- Reduced caps for multiple children on school transport fees to €500 per family post primary and €150 for primary school children for the next academic year.
This month a further Fuel Allowance lump sum payment of €100, to be paid in May, was announced at an estimated €37 million cost to provide further assistance to those very vulnerable to fuel poverty.
These expenditure measures are in addition to the excise duty reduction on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil introduced by the Minister for Finance and now extended until the Budget in October 2022, and the VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills until end October.
Together, these measures provide substantial assistance towards mitigating the impact of rising prices. They have focused on temporary support measures that can quickly provide assistance to households that are also balanced against the need ensure that our public finances return to a sustainable position and to avoid actions that could result in increased inflation.
125. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures his Department is undertaking to deal with construction inflation and the impact that this is having on State projects within the national development plan. [21461/22]
View answerMy Department monitors construction sector trends, including inflation, on an ongoing basis. Materials such as timber, structural steel and energy have increased significantly, as a result of pent-up demand following Covid-19 and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
These developments, if persisting for a prolonged period of time, would represent a risk to delivery of the ambitious public investment programme set out in the NDP.
In January the Office of Government Procurement introduced measures applying to new public works contracts. Under these arrangements the fixed price period is reduced to 24 months and mutual cost recovery is permitted within the fixed price period for material price changes in excess of 15%. The new arrangements also introduce indexation of the materials element of the tender sum from the point at which the tender is submitted to the award of the contract.
These measures are intended to provide greater certainty to contractors to aid project delivery over the course of a contract.
In addition to tracking inflation in the built environment, my Department is in constant communication with multiple stakeholders including CIF, SCSI, IBEC, etc. through the Construction Sector Group and its subgroups.
While these are short-term actions, my Department is also pursuing medium-term policy initiatives to support resilience and sustainability in the sector. These include increasing the pipeline of apprenticeships and supporting policies to improve productivity. In this regard, my Department has established and funded the Build Digital project which will support enhanced innovation and increased digital adoption across the Irish construction sector.
126. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the inclusion of a stepped procedure for public whistleblowers in the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022 breaches the European Union whistleblowing directive non-regression clause in view of the letter sent to the Oireachtas finance committee by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21483/22]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022 provides, among other things, for the transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law ("the Whistleblowing Directive"). The Bill is currently at Report Stage in Dáil Éireann.
It is my understanding that the Deputy's question relates to the provisions in the Bill that amend section 8 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 ("the Principal Act"). These amendments provide that a worker employed by a public body who wishes to make a disclosure to a Minister must first have reported either to their employer under section 6 of the Act or to a prescribed person under section 7 of the Act unless the Head of the public body concerned is directly complicit in the alleged wrongdoing or there is an emergency situation where there is an immediate threat to public health or safety.
The Deputy asks if this provision breaches the non-regression clause at Article 25.2 of the Whistleblowing Directive. I am advised by the Attorney General that it does not.
Article 25.2 states that: "The implementation of this Directive shall under no circumstances constitute grounds for a reduction in the level of protection already afforded by Member States in the areas covered by this Directive".
In literal terms this Article does not outright prevent a Member States from reducing the level of protection already afforded but rather provides that the Directive shall not “constitute grounds” for such a reduction. In other words, no Member State can rely on the Directive as a justification for reducing the protection and, in particular, for contending that a greater protection is inconsistent with the Directive. That, however, is very different from preventing a Member State, for policy reasons, reducing the level of protection provided no reliance is placed on the Directive in that regard.
The amendments to section 8 of the Principal Act proposed in the Bill are not changing the rules concerning Ministerial disclosures because of the Directive. The rules are being changed for the simple reason that this channel does not work as intended in its present form. Its operation has been one of the most challenging areas of implementation for the Protected Disclosures Act.
The intent behind the provision of a Ministerial channel under the Act was that in the event that a public body failed to deal properly with an internal report, a worker in that public body would have the fall back option of reporting to the Minister. In practice there has been a tendency for reporting persons to either go to the Minister first or report simultaneously to both their employer and the Minister. This practice of simultaneous or near-simultaneous reporting through different channels was raised as a concern by the Disclosures Tribunal, which recommended that the Oireachtas consider amending the legislation, so that when a report is made, the initial recipient is afforded a reasonable amount of time to take action before the reporting person moves on to an alternative channel.
Furthermore Article 7.2 of the Directive requires Member States to encourage reporting internally in the first instance. The introduction of a requirement that the reporting person should report using one of the other channels first is intended to address this issue.
The Bill in many ways is strengthening and professionalising the Ministerial channel by providing that Ministerial disclosures will be referred to an independent expert in the form of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner which will transmit disclosures to appropriate bodies for assessment and follow up.
127. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he proposes to change the laws around lobbying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20547/22]
View answerAt its meeting on 15 February 2022, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022, its referral to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach for pre-legislative scrutiny, and the priority drafting of the Bill by the Office of the Attorney General.
The General Scheme was published on 16 February and contains the legislative proposals to amend certain provisions of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015. The main changes that will be made to the lobbying legislation are as follows:
- extending the definition of lobbying to ensure that business representative bodies and alliances of business interests, regardless of the number of their employees, are brought within the scope of the legislation;
- improving the functionality of the lobbying register for those who carry on lobbying activities and are required to make returns; and
- strengthening the existing legislation and its enforcement, including the introduction of an anti-avoidance clause and the implementation of a scheme of administrative and civil sanctions for contravening section 22 of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (i.e. the ‘cooling-off’ period).
Officials in my Department are currently working closely with the Office of the Attorney General on the priority drafting of the Bill.
128. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the independent review panel into recruitment processes for senior public service posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/22]
View answerAs the deputy will be aware, the Government recently agreed to the establishment of an Independent Review Panel into recruitment and pay determination processes in place for Senior Public Service posts. The Panel is chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir, with Ms. Jenny Smyth and Mr. Bryan Andrews members of the Panel.
The review will focus on a number of important issues including an analysis of the current recruitment processes, the process in place for determining terms and conditions of employment and also current arrangements in place for Secretaries General at end of their term. Further details are set out in the Terms of Reference for the Review Panel which are published on my Departments website.
I anticipate that the Review Panel will be in a position to report their findings later this year.
129. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on recent reports that he is considering increasing payments to building contractors on fixed-price public works contracts; if he will provide assurances that he will not agree to increase prices payable on building contracts beyond what has already been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20849/22]
View answerThere have been significant and sustained increases in the prices of a broad range of commonly used materials in the construction sector throughout 2021 in the aftermath of the pandemic. Energy prices also showed marked increases in 2021 and have further escalated in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
I introduced a series of measures in January in response to these events.
- The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) issued procurement guidance in November 2021 to assist public bodies in managing the challenges they face concluding ‘live’ tenders.
- With reference to future tenders, the OGP published interim amendments to the provisions in the public works contracts on 7 January 2022. Within certain parameters, these amendments will reduce the level of risk of extraordinary price inflation that contractors will have to bear, while also enabling the Exchequer to obtain cost reductions should exceptional price reductions occur during the course of the works. The measures are designed to encourage confidence in the tender process and to mitigate against the over-provision for price inflation in tender prices. However, they do not cater for fuel/energy price increases or supply chain disruption.
The pre-existing provisions for inflation contained in the public works contracts published prior to 7 January 2022 continue to apply as these were the terms entered into by the parties.
My Department has been monitoring the inflation pressures faced by contractors, particularly with respect to the recent sharp increase in energy prices, and is engaging with stakeholders, which include industry and public sector contracting authorities.
In considering their issues, I will have to consider the available evidence, and the potential impacts they will have on costs and the ability to deliver the wider NDP whilst maximising value for money for the taxpayer. It is vital that public works contracts remain a viable proposition for contractors with whom we partner in the delivery of the NDP. I am also engaging with the key capital spending departments and bodies on their issues.
132. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way his Department is supporting digital transformation in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20329/22]
View answerDigital transformation in the public service means redesigning and rebuilding government processes and services, if necessary across organisations, and using digitalisation and data to provide an integrated experience for our people, businesses and policy makers.
I am pleased to say that significant progress has been made in recent years in transforming the delivery of public services. In addition, just last month, along with Minister McGrath, I was delighted to launch Connecting Government 2030, the new Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service.
Connecting Government 2030 sets out a framework within which all public service organisations can deliver their own digital commitments focussed on the targets set out in the Digitalisation of Public Services dimension of the national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework. It also aligns with the targets set out in Civil Service Renewal 2030 as well as addressing digital targets set by the EU.
For individuals, Connecting Government 2030 aims to provide:
- better access to trusted, high quality digital government services
- services that are delivered in an equitable, inclusive and sustainable manner with better service to those who need assistance
- secure and transparent reuse of personal data; and
- opportunities to co-create government services, rather than relying on the assumptions of government
For businesses, it aims to provide:
- better access to integrated digital government services
- reduced administrative overhead
- GovTech opportunities; and
- greater openness and engagement with government
While the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform oversees both Connecting Government 2030 and Civil Service Renewal 2030, collective responsibility to drive digital transformation of public services falls to the boards of all Departments, Offices and State Bodies across all sectors. Implementation will take an all-of-government endeavour to deliver their ambitious outcomes.
I also wish to inform you that a specific briefing for members of the Oireachtas on Connecting Government 2030 will be held in the near future.
Full details of Connecting Government 2030 and Civil service Renewal 2030 are available on gov.ie.
134. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the visitor centre at the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, County Meath has not been reopened to the public; the number of days the visitor centre has been open since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21430/22]
View answerOldbridge Estate is situated on 500 acres in Co. Meath taking in much of the original historic battlefield of the Battle of the Boyne. It was acquired by the Irish State for the purpose of conserving and presenting the location of this pivotal event in Irish history, for current and future generations. The site is of deep historical and political significance to many communities on the island of Ireland and a significant population of visitors from communities in Northern Ireland visit the site each year.
The visitor centre reopened, in line with public safety advice and Fáilte Ireland sectoral guidelines, on 10th May 2021. There have not been any further COVID-19 related closures.
Oldbridge House provides an interpretative centre, which can welcome over 30,000 annual visitors to the exhibition featuring authentic 17th century armaments and accompanying audio-visual presentations. The OPW planned essential maintenance to the lighting system during the quiet winter period. In order to facilitate this maintenance, the visitor centre closed to the public on 30th December 2021. This work was scheduled to take four weeks. During this time, outdoor tours and the separate theatre building continued to welcome visitors.
However, unrelated to the essential maintenance to the lighting system, the scale laser display of the Battle become inoperable. As this is the central attraction, the visitor centre remained closed while a replacement system was identified. The required works began on site last week to repair the laser display. It is hoped that this will be fully operational by the end of May
The Deputy will be pleased to know that the Visitor Centre has reopened, with effect from Monday 25th April 2022. As a gesture of goodwill, we are offering free of charge, self-guiding admission into the exhibition for a limited period.
135. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has received and considered an application from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or the Department of Transport in respect of funding sought by Clare County Council to make its imminent takeover of sites (details supplied) a success. [21335/22]
View answerI have not received any application for funding in relation to Clare County Council from either the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government or the Department of Transport. This is a matter for the two Departments.
137. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review the allocation and utilisation of national lottery funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/22]
View answerFunding raised by the National Lottery plays a very important role in supporting a range of good causes at national, regional and community level. In order to sustain this funding into the future I consider it important that there is a robust and transparent processes for its allocation. I have accordingly commissioned an external review of the process for allocation of lottery funding, to examine the current system, and to identify any principles which might underpin a new process of allocation. The review process provides for consultation with lottery grant recipients and other key stakeholders, which is underway at present. The review will also draw on international practice and is scheduled to conclude later this quarter.
138. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on Connecting Government 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20335/22]
View answerConnecting Government 2030 is the new Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service, which I was delighted to launch in early March along with Minister McGrath.
Our aim with this strategy is to provide better public services for individuals and businesses and to make services as seamless, user-friendly and accessible as possible. The strategy will enable us create world-leading digital public services while at the same time improve the off-line experience for those who are unable to access services digitally.
Connecting Government 2030, therefore, sets out an approach to deliver digital government for all, benefitting both society and the broader economy.
A key focus of Connecting Government 2030 is on delivering public services taking a “digital by default” approach through collaboration with stakeholders and the public, building towards 90% online uptake of key public services in line with the targets set by the EU’s Digital Decade. I am pleased to say, therefore, that my officials will shortly begin a public consultation to determine priorities for digital public services from those who access and use public services.
Connecting Government 2030 addresses the digitalisation of public services dimension of the national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework. It also aligns with the targets set out in Civil Service Renewal 2030 as well as addressing digital targets set by the EU.
I also wish to inform you that a specific briefing for members of the Oireachtas on Connecting Government 2030 will be held in the near future.
Full details of Connecting Government 2030 are available on gov.ie.
139. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps the OPW is taking in collaboration with the EPA to identify nature-based solutions to develop catchment management measures to provide benefits to various sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21097/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has been engaged in a number of activities to assess and develop nature-based solutions that can have benefits for Water Framework Directive, flood risk management and biodiversity objectives.
In 2019, a four-year research project, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research programme, titled ‘A Strategic Look at Natural Water Retention Measures’ (SLOWWATERS) commenced. This ongoing research has a budget of €508,000 and is co-funded by the OPW and the Department of Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. The research will assess the benefits of nature-based solutions for agricultural catchments in Ireland. The project outputs will provide recommendations for the management of specific catchment types relevant to the Irish environment by quantifying the magnitude of nature-based solutions required to reduce flood peaks and improve downstream water quality by attenuating nutrients.
In addition to co-funding large-scale research, the OPW has contributed to funding community led work. In 2019, a study, carried out by Trinity College Dublin on behalf of Inishowen Rivers Trust and funded by the OPW, to assess the feasibility of implementing nature-based solutions for catchment management at five locations on the Inishowen peninsula was completed. This study was followed by a LEADER funded project to implement nature-based solutions in Clonmany, to which the OPW has committed funding. This project has implemented 69 measures, typically leaky-dams to slow flood peaks, and has involved extensive landowner and community engagement.
The OPW co-chaired a working group with the EPA which was established in 2019 to advise the National Technical Implementation Group of the Water Framework Directive on the use of nature-based solutions to contribute to the achievement of environmental objectives set out in the second River Basin Management Plan. The working group presented their findings in 2020 and the OPW is now part of the steering group for an EPA research project to implement a key recommendation from the working group titled ‘Integrated Framework for River Restoration and Nature-based Solutions for Integrated Catchment Management’. The aim of this project is to develop a decision support framework to identify appropriate measures for restoring rivers and implementing nature-based solutions for integrated catchment management that would work to restore impacted surface waters.
The development of flood relief schemes under the OPW’s capital programme now involves a specific requirement to assess the potential for nature-based solutions as part of the overall solution to managing flood risk for a particular community. Where feasible, these measures will be implemented to reduce flood risk and contribute to achieving co-benefits such as water quality improvement, habitat creation, and climate change adaption.
