Tuesday, 12 Jul 2022

Written Answers Nos. 335-354

Tax Reliefs

Questions (335)

Holly Cairns

Question:

335. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance his views on introducing a tax break for sports coaches who qualify through coaching courses by their governing bodies. [38115/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The issue of State support for activities related to sport is a matter in the first instance for the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Mr Jack Chambers, T.D.

The Tax Expenditure Guidelines, published by my Department, make clear that the introduction of new tax incentives should only be considered in circumstances where there is a demonstrable market failure and where a tax based incentive is more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.

Also, as the Deputy will appreciate, when considering the introduction of any tax relief, I must be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, lead to a narrowing of the tax base.

As matters stand at the present time, I have no plans to introduce a measure along the lines mentioned by the Deputy.

Budget Targets

Questions (336)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

336. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the resources that have been allocated to demographics, public sector pay and existing levels of services and the National Development Plan, respectively in tabular form. [37678/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Table 1 of the 2022 Summer Economic Statement sets out the budgetary strategy for the period to 2025. As part of the total budget package set out for each year to 2025, amounts of between €3 to 3.4 billion are indicated as for ‘budgetary decisions’. This category comprises provision for Existing Levels of Service (ELS) costs and the planned core capital expenditure increases under the National Development Plan (NDP).

The NDP published in October 2021 provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years, and sees total public investment of €165 billion over the period 2021-2030. Core capital increases in upcoming Budgets will be in line with the parameters set out in the NDP, with an additional €0.8 billion in 2023.

Under the approach set out in last year’s Summer Economic Statement, 3% of the core current expenditure base is being set aside each year to meet ELS costs. These include costs arising from demographic pressures in areas such as Social Protection, Health and Education; carryover costs from measures already introduced in prior year Budgets; and public service pay commitments under existing pay deals. €2.2 billion is indicated under Budget 2023 to meet these costs.

The division of the available resources under this 3% provision will be examined each year using the most up to date information and will be allocated as part of the Estimates process. This breakdown will be published each year in the Expenditure Report.

	2023	2024	2025
	€Bn	€Bn	€Bn
Total Core Expenditure Increase	5.7	4.3	4.5
ELS Provision 3% of Core Current Expenditure	2.2	2.2	2.6
NDP Core Capital Increase	0.8	1.0	0.8
Provision for New Expenditure Measures	2.7*	1.1	1.2

*€0.4 billion of the Budget 2023 expenditure package is phased into 2022

** Rounding affects totals.

Tax Data

Questions (337)

Matt Carthy

Question:

337. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the schemes, areas and projects to which funds raised through the carbon tax have been allocated by year to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37944/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

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; and

- 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.

A table with the breakdown of the allocation of carbon tax revenues to date is presented below:

Programme/Scheme	Department	€ m-2020	€ m-2021	€ m-2022
1. Investment in Residential Energy Efficiency & Community Energy Efficiency	DECC	13	113	202
2. Targeted Social Protection Interventions	DSP	21	69	174
3. Continuation of 2020 & 2021 Carbon Tax Investment Programmes in Other Depts	Various	56	56	36
Total		90	238	412

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

Public Sector Pay

Questions (338, 339, 340)

Colm Burke

Question:

338. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether there should be a reversal of the cuts imposed by a Government decision that took place at the same time as the financial emergency measures in the public interest cuts were applied to public sector employees given the review carried out in July 2018 by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in relation to the work undertaken by criminal barristers (details supplied); his plans to address the professional fees of criminal barristers that are at 2002 rates given the 28.5% to 69% cuts introduced by the Government decision that took place at the same time as the FEMPI cuts were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37035/22]

Colm Burke

Question:

339. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if parity will be restored in respect of payment to criminal barristers in the same way that it has been restored to all other justice stakeholders given the review carried out in July 2018 by the Department of Justice in respect of the work undertaken by criminal barristers and the conclusion in relation to same communicated to his Department that the flexibilities in work practices undertaken by criminal barristers were akin to the flexibilities in work practices by public sector employees and State solicitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37036/22]

Colm Burke

Question:

340. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will restore parity to the fees payable to criminal barristers in the same way that it has been restored to all other public sector employees given the review carried out in July 2018 by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in respect of the work undertaken by criminal barristers and the conclusion in relation same communicated to his Department that the flexibilities in work practices undertaken by criminal barristers were akin to the flexibilities in work practices by public sector employees and State solicitors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37037/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 to 340, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, counsel fees were reduced in both 2009 and 2010 respectively as part of a broader Government agenda to reduce escalating legal costs. A further reduction was imposed in 2011 primarily to control spending under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme. These reductions were underpinned by Government decisions and formed part of a broader Government need to reduce costs across the public service.

Turning firstly to address the issue of restoration to other public sector employees, Section 43 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 had the effect, from 1 January 2020, of restoring the fee rates reduced by regulations made under Section 9(1) or Section10 of the FEMPI Act of 2009 to the rates prior to reduction other than where new regulations have been made by the relevant Minister under Section 42. However, counsel fee reductions were not made under FEMPI legislation but rather:

- formed part of a broader Government agenda to reduce escalating legal costs

- were introduced by way of Government decisions

State Solicitors pay has an established link with the Assistant Principal or AP grade within the Civil Service. Therefore, the remuneration of State Solicitors comprises a personal element for the individual State Solicitor equivalent to first point of the AP salary, a staffing element related to Clerical Officer grade and an expenses element that increases in relation to certain Consumer Price Index movements. The personal and staffing elements attract changes as per National Wage Agreements.

Since 2016, my Department has engaged constructively with the Bar of Ireland, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in relation to these matters. I fully acknowledge and appreciate the very important work undertaken by barristers who prosecute criminal work on behalf of the State and my Department has engaged constructively with key stakeholders including the Bar Council of Ireland, the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions and the Department of Justice in relation to this matter. In particular it has sought evidence to support any claims that the reductions imposed are linked to significant recruitment and retention issues, thereby potentially adversely impacting the administration of justice. While my Department has not yet been provided with evidential data to support such claims, it remains available to review any further information that may be provided.

My Department continues to give careful consideration to this matter which will be informed by the advice of the Attorney General’s Office.

Question No. 339 answered with Question No. 338.

Question No. 340 answered with Question No. 338.

Departmental Consultations

Questions (341)

Alan Dillon

Question:

341. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the public consultation process on supplementary information provided by his officials on a project (details supplied); and when he expects a decision in respect of the scheme. [37047/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

In October 2020, the Office of Public Works (OPW) submitted the Confirmation documentation for this scheme to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) for review. As part of this process, there are a number of statutory steps including public consultation and a request for further or supplementary information, if needed. Supplementary Information was subsequently sought by DPER and this was provided by OPW in July 2021.

In order to limit the risk of Judicial Review, DPER advised that a further Public Consultation, that included the supplementary information, would be appropriate. This Public Consultation process commenced on 6 May 2022 and ran until 1 July 2022. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will now consider the submissions made during this consultation and a decision, in respect of the scheme, will be made in due course. The Minister can decide to either: confirm the scheme, refuse the scheme or refer the scheme back to OPW for revision in specified aspects.

The OPW remain committed to this scheme and have allocated funding and a works team to progress the scheme subject to approval from DPER and the absence of any Judicial Reviews.

Summer Economic Statement

Questions (342)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

342. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that there has been no change in the expenditure forecast in relation to budgetary decisions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37140/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Table 1 of the 2022 Summer Economic Statement sets out the budgetary strategy for the period to 2025. As part of the total €6.7 billion budget package for 2023 an amount of €3 billion is indicated as for ‘budgetary decisions’. This category comprises provision for Existing Levels of Service (ELS) costs and the planned core capital expenditure increases under the National Development Plan.

Under the approach set out in last year’s Summer Economic Statement, 3% of the core current expenditure base is being set aside each year to meet ELS costs. These include costs arising from demographic pressures in areas such as Social Protection, Health and Education; carryover costs from measures already introduced in prior year Budgets; and public service pay commitments.

The division in the core current expenditure amount available for allocation each Budget between ELS costs and new measures provides an indication of the expected costs in meeting ELS. The 3% provision set out is based on assessment of previous budgets and the prevailing position in advance of Budget 2022.

Agreement on the level of expenditure required to maintain ELS is a key part of the Estimates process. This involves detailed analysis requiring validation at programme level. A number of factors are taken into consideration including actual demand in the current year compared to that underpinning the budgetary allocation, the potential impacts of existing initiatives on demand and utilisation patterns, impact of demographics on demand, specific price pressures, as well as any capacity constraints that may exist.

Inflationary pressures are generally dealt with on a year-by-year basis as part of the normal budgetary process, with an expectation and responsibility across all Departments and agencies to generate efficiency dividends and promote productivity where possible.

The ‘to be allocated’ line in Table 1 indicates the amount available for new tax and expenditure measures. Any new policy decision taken as part of Budget 2023 will need to be funded from this amount. This includes any core expenditure measures that may be introduced to assist citizens with costs of living pressures.

Where analysis undertaken as part of the estimates process results in ELS costs being lower than expected, this would increase the amount available to fund new measures. The converse would apply if analysis during the estimates process showed higher ELS provision were required in any given year. As set out in Expenditure Report 2022, following this detailed analysis during the estimates process last year the amount provided in respect of ELS costs in Budget 2022 was €1.6 billion. The amount included as ELS costs for 2023 in the SES is €2.2 billion.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (343, 350, 351)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

343. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the source that the funds for additional inflation-related costs are drawn from in the Inflation Cooperation Framework; the amount that has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/22]

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

350. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the area from which the additional capital expenditure arising from the Inflation Co-operation Framework will be drawn in relation to the Summer Economic Statement Table 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/22]

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

351. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if capital cover over will be used to cover the additional costs in relation to the additional capital expenditure incurred from the establishment of the Inflation Cooperation Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37826/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 350 and 351 together.

Costs relating to implementation of the Inflation Co-operation Framework (the Framework) are to be met from within existing capital expenditure ceilings. The ceilings detailed in the National Development Plan 2021-30 (NDP) are cognisant of the overall capability of the construction sector to deliver on the NDP and of the appropriate share of National Income being devoted to infrastructure. The levels of capital spending, at close to 5% of GNI*, are already among the highest in the EU and are close to the limit of the overall capability to deliver in the coming decade.

The use of the Framework is voluntary, but participation by the parties is strongly encouraged. It represents a pragmatic and proportionate response to the current challenges caused by inflation that are not within either party’s control.

The Framework facilitates both parties to engage with one another for the purpose of addressing the impacts of this most recent onset of exceptional inflation and supply chain disruption and operates on an ex-gratia basis. It sets down the approaches and the parameters within which parties to a public works contract calculate additional costs attributable to material and energy price fluctuations, on an ongoing basis, using the specified price indices published monthly by the Central Statistics Office.

The measures available under the Framework strike an important balance between the additional costs incurred by the State to support Contractors engaged on public projects and the State’s ability to deliver the NDP including housing delivery, whilst providing value for money for the taxpayer.

The Framework applies to payments made from 1 January 2022 in recognition that inflationary pressures were further building from this point in anticipation of the invasion of Ukraine. The extent of additional payments that will arise on projects going forward will depend on the materials that are to be incorporated, the stage of the project’s development and further movement in prices which is extremely difficult to forecast at this moment.

At this point, parties have begun their initial engagement and any agreement (and costs associated with inflation) will take a period of time to be worked through. Once the initial engagement is complete and the retrospective payments are made, the specified formulae will be applied to each interim payment in the manner set out in the template agreement to determine the cost adjustment (if any) that is due for inflation.

The cost associated with the implementation of the Framework will not be collated centrally. It is managed at a project level by contracting authorities and reported to approving authorities so the impact on their overall capital ceiling can be assessed and the programme adjusted accordingly.

The 2022 capital allocation is €11,403 million. This is an increase of €0.9 billion or 8% on the 2021 allocation and an increase of almost €2.3 billion or 25% on the actual spend (exclusive of carryover) in 2021. In aggregate, including capital carryover, there is €12.2 billion available for capital spending this year. In the NDP, it was clarified that there will need to be an agile approach to funding allocations and in-plan reprioritisation of funding, particularly where underspends and policy changes are apparent.

In relation to the use of capital carryover to fund any additional costs associated with the Inflation Cooperation Framework, Section 91 of the Finance Act, 2004 makes statutory provision for capital carryover by way of deferred surrender. Carryover amounts are published in the Appropriation Act at Vote level and at subhead level in the Deferred Surrender Ministerial Order, which must be made before 31 March in the second financial year. When the resolution approving the Order is passed by the Dáil, the carryover amounts become the first charge against the subheads designated in the Order and are typically spent early in the year.

Virement of deferred surrender amounts, as designated by subhead in the Ministerial Order, is not permissible under any circumstances. Therefore, any deferred surrender amounts that are not spent under the designated subhead by the end of the second year must be surrendered to the Central Fund.

Budget 2023

Questions (344)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

344. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm that the annual priority reserve of €51 million in 2023 will not be used as a resource for overspends in Budget 2023 given that it is stated in page 44 of the National Development Plan that the reserve is not intended as a resource to meet any potential overspends or cost inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I can confirm to the Deputy that it is not intended that the annual priority reserve of €51 million for 2023 as set out in National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030 will be used as a resource for any potential overspends in Budget 2023. The annual priority reserves included in the NDP will be allocated each year during the Estimates process. Retaining this element of flexibility is an important principle of efficient public expenditure management. The reserve is designed to maintain the Government’s ability to continue to effectively recalibrate investment plans if priorities develop or change over the course of the Government.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (345)

Carol Nolan

Question:

345. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have engaged the services of two organisations (details supplied) at any point from 1 January 2020 to date; the costs associated with or incurred by the provision of services from these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37288/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is part of my Department, engaged the services of one of the named organisations during the period specified.

With the exception of the Office of the National Lottery regulator (ORNL), this is also the case for the bodies under the aegis of my Department. The ORNL have advised that they have not engaged the services of either of the named organisations during this time frame.

The purpose of this engagement for my Department and the bodies under the aegis of my Department was for the provision and delivery of staff training courses and online course development services.

The additional details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.

Carr Communications	*Spend 2022	Spend 2021	Spend 2020
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	€11,914	€3,984	€5,827
Office of Government Procurement (OGP)	€100	€1,072	€674
Bodies under the aegis
Office of Public Works (OPW)	€1,510	€6,092	€2,626
National Shared Services Office (NSSO)	€362	€5,256	€1,937
Public Appointments Service (PAS)	-	€3,242	€224
State Laboratory	€1,350	€686	€1,478
Office of the Ombudsman	€1,350	€1,546	€2,300
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)	-	-	-

*Year to date

An Garda Síochána

Questions (346)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

346. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the move-in date of An Garda Síochána personnel to the command and control facility at Heuston Station; the status of works at Phoenix House; the costs expended on same to date; the status of the works on Block-J; the costs expended on same to date; and the schedule of locations to include costs that are part of the contingency planning in respect of the anticipated need for additional demand for garda accommodation. [37535/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I wish to advise the Deputy of the following.

A selection of Garda personnel from Command & Control will be moving into NTCC in Heuston Station on 18 August 2022, as part of the test phase of the new CAD2 system. Command & Control are expected to relocate fully to NTCC in November 2022

The fit-out project at Phoenix House was completed and handed over to An Garda Síochána on 18th November 2021. The Total Project Budget Expenditure to date amounts to €3,290,759.70 inclusive of vat

Block J Project is currently at Letter of Acceptance stage, negotiations are continuing between the Office of Public Works and the proposed main contractor and proposed reserved specialists. €559,747.46 (incl. VAT) has been spent to date on the Block J Project. An additional €1,229,685.22 (incl. VAT) has been spent on the decant of a server to another Garda Station in the Dublin region.

The contingency plan includes a number of options and includes a building in Garda HQ, a leased building, and or a state owned property.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (347)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

347. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of planned cell refurbishment works for 2022 and 2023; and if he will provide a schedule of completed cell refurbishment works by location and final completion costs. [37537/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has completed works at 95 Garda Stations Nationwide under the Cell Anti Ligature Programme. In addition there are currently works at 4 garda station with 11 more identified for delivery 2022/2023. All details can be found in the tables below.

It is not possible, in the timeframe provided for responding to the PQ, to provide the completion costs for each individual station and in this regard, the OPW will revert to the deputy directly on this aspect of their request.

Those stations identified as planned for 2022 and 2023 are subject to the final sign off of operational and design requirements by An Garda Síochána and a successful tendering process.

The OPW and An Garda Síochána meet on a monthly basis to assess the cell refurbishment works and to adjust and reprioritise the works as necessary.

Completed Projects under the Cell Anti Ligature Programme by Location:

Location	Year Completed
Dun Laoghaire Garda Station, Dublin	2010
Ronanstown Garda Station, Dublin	2010
Mountjoy Garda Station, Dublin	2011
Store Street Garda Station, Dublin	2011
Kilmainham Garda Station, Dublin	2011
Castleisland Garda Station, Kerry	2011
Ballyhaunis Garda Station, Mayo	2011
Swinford Garda Station, Mayo	2011
Ballincollig Garda Station, Cork	2011
Blackrock Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Clontarf Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Coolock Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Rathfarnham Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Tallaght Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Ballyfermot Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Blanchardstown Garda Station, Dublin	2012
Swords Garda Station, Dublin	2013
Terenure Garda Station, Dublin	2013
Pearse Street Garda Station, Dublin	2013
Naas Garda Station, Co Kildare	2013
Letterkenny Garda Station, Donegal	2013
Dundalk Garda Station, Louth	2013
Kilkenny Garda Station, Kilkenny	2013
Tipperary Town Garda Station, Tipperary	2013
Waterford Garda Station, Waterford	2013
Fermoy Garda Station, Cork	2013
Mallow Garda Station, Cork	2013
Ballyconnell Garda Station, Cavan	2013
Balbriggan Garda Station, Dublin	2014
Raheny Garda Station, Dublin	2014
Bridewell Garda Station, Dublin	2014
Crumlin Garda Station, Dublin	2014
Kevin Street Garda Station, Dublin	2014
Mullingar Garda Station, Westmeath	2014
Baltinglass Garda Station, Wicklow	2014
Tralee Garda Station, Kerry	2014
Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick	2014
Mill Street Garda Station, Galway	2014
Mill Street Garda Station, Cork	2014
Dundrum Garda Station, Dublin	2015
Lucan Garda Station, Dublin	2015
Tullamore Garda Station, Offaly	2015
Monaghan Garda Station, Monaghan	2015
Drogheda Garda Station, Louth	2015
Carrick on Shannon Garda Station, Leitrim	2015
Wexford Garda Station, Wexford	2015
Mayfield Garda Station, Cork City	2015
Macroom Garda Station, Cork	2015
Ennis Garda Station, Clare	2015
Castlebar Garda Station, Mayo	2015
Ballymun Garda Station, Dublin	2016
Rathmines Garda Station, Dublin	2016
Clondalkin Garda Station, Dublin	2016
Bray Garda Station, Wicklow	2016
Cahir Garda Station, Tipperary	2016
Tramore Garda Station, Waterford	2016
Bridewell Garda Station, Cork	2016
Gurranabraher Garda Station, Cork	2016
Togher Garda Station, Cork	2016
Killarney Garda Station, Kerry	2016
Roxboro Road Garda Station, Limerick	2016
Clifden Garda Station, Galway	2016
Westport Garda Station, Mayo	2016
Castlerea Garda Station, Roscommon	2016
Irishtown Garda Station, Dublin	2017
Kildare Garda Station, Kildare	2017
Leixlip Garda Station, Kildare	2017
Ashbourne Garda Station, Meath	2017
Cavan Garda Station, Cavan	2017
Ballyshannon Garda Station, Donegal	2017
Buncrana Garda Station, Donegal	2017
Bandon Garda Station, Cork	2017
Shannon Garda Station, Clare	2017
Tuam Garda Station, Galway	2017
Ballina Garda Station, Mayo	2017
Belmullet Garda Station, Mayo	2017
Claremorris Garda Station, Mayo	2017
Shankill Garda Station, Dublin	2018
Donnybrook Garda Station, Dublin	2018
Milford Garda Station, Donegal	2018
Carlow Garda Station, Carlow	2018
Clonmel Garda Station, Tipperary	2018
Kilrush Garda Station, Clare	2018
Ballinasloe Garda Station, Mayo	2018
Ronanstown Garda Station, Dublin**	2019
Dungarvan Garda Station, Waterford	2019
Midleton Garda Station, Cork	2019
Killaloe Garda Station, Clare	2019
Rathkeale Garda Station, Limerick	2020
Kells Garda Station, Meath	2020
Finglas Garda Station, Dublin	2020
Youghal Garda Station, Cork	2021
Sligo Town Garda Station, Sligo	2021
Roscommon Garda Station, Roscommon	2021
Sundrive Road Garda Station, Dublin	2022

* Ronanstown was initially a pilot project and re-visited in 2019 to address some issues that were identified later in the programme.

List of Projects under the Cell Refurbishment and Anti-Ligature Programme currently on Site:

Location	Year
Longford Garda Station, Longford	2021/2022
Navan Garda Station, Meath	2021/2022
Thomastown Garda Station, Kilkenny	2022
Enniscorthy Garda Station, Wexford	2022

List of Proposed Projects under the Cell Anti-ligature Programme:

Location	Year
Loughrea Garda Station, Galway	2022/2023
Athy Garda Station, Wicklow	2022/2023
Abbeyleix Garda Station, Laois	2022/2023
Listowel Garda Station, Kerry	2022/2023
Gorey Garda Station, Wexford	2022/2023
Wicklow Garda Station, Co Wicklow	2022/2023
Cobh Garda Station, Cork	2022/2023
Bridewell Garda Station, Cork	2022/2023
Carrickmacross Garda Station, Monaghan	2022/2023
Castleblayney Garda Station, Monaghan	2022/2023
Newbridge Garda Station, Kildare	2022/2023

Office of Public Works

Questions (348)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

348. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of all OPW and joint-OPW projects that are in arbitration and or conciliation; and the costs associated with same. [37538/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Additional time is required for this information to be coordinated, we will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (349)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

349. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated first-year and full-year cost of bringing all public service workers up to the living wage of €12.17 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37617/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The suggested Living Wage at €12.17 per hour based on the Civil Service 35 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of approximately €22,226.07. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that less than 0.1% of staff (FTE) in the civil service are on salary points less than this suggested Living Wage.

Those currently on an annual salary of less than €22,226.07 may be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift work or atypical working hours. In addition, these salary scales progress to the suggested Living Wage and above through normal incremental progression.

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. 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.

These groups will also benefit more from other measures in the Agreement including the overtime rates and premia payment adjustments.

The public service information sought in this request would require detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This data is not held in my Department.

Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 343.

Question No. 351 answered with Question No. 343.

Public Sector Pay

Questions (352)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

352. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the area from which funding will be drawn if the funding for the new public sector pay deal is not baselined in the Summer Economic Statement Table 1 budgetary decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37827/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Summer Economic Statement (SES), published on 4th July 2022, sets out the key parameters for Budget 2023. This included an increase to the 2022 and 2023 core expenditure growth rates to 6 per cent and 6½ per cent respectively. These adjustments were made to respond to the challenging economic context, in particular regarding inflationary pressures.

To protect public services, core spending will increase by 6.5 per cent next year. This will result in a core expenditure ceiling of €85.8 billion in 2023. This ceiling will provide for an expenditure budgetary package of €5.65 billion over 2022 and 2023. This significant annual increase in expenditure balances the need to protect core public services and help to mitigate the cost of living pressures while ensuring that budgetary policy does not become part of the inflation problem.

As set out in the SES, €3 billion of this overall expenditure increase is required to fund the increase in capital expenditure set out in the National Development Plan, and to provide for costs relating to existing levels of service (ELS). These estimated ELS costs of c. €2.2 billion include funding for pressures in respect of demographics, carryover from Budget 2022 decisions and existing public service pay commitments. The National Development Plan has provided a further €0.8 billion of capital expenditure for 2023.

This leaves approximately €2.7 billion for new measures in Budget 2023, with €0.4 billion of this amount phased into 2022 to allow for early implementation of measures. Costs in relation to a new public service pay deal would be met from within this overall amount available for new measures.

Ukraine War

Questions (353)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

353. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are restrictions for the use of funds in relation to the Summer Economic Statement Table 5 Ukrainian Humanitarian Contingency; if the expenditure outlined therein can be used for non-humanitarian purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37828/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

It is estimated that 5.6 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe. This includes almost forty thousand refugees arriving in Ireland.

Given the evolving nature of the situation, it is difficult to provide exact costings as the number of arrivals fluctuate on a daily basis. The demographic profile of arrivals, a key determinant of costings, is also subject to considerable change. A number of other assumptions are also required. The cost per refugee is highly sensitive to the accommodation solution provided—accommodation solutions are currently being developed and may change over the medium term—this complicates providing an annual cost per refugee.

However, given the expected significant level of supports required for arrivals to Ireland fleeing Ukraine, a contingency provision of €3 billion for 2023 was set out in the Stability Programme Update to meet these costs. This exceptional provision is included as temporary non-core spending in the Summer Economic Statement. This estimate, alongside other non-core expenditure requirements, including requirements in respect of Covid-19, will be reconsidered as part of Budget 2023 as more information becomes available.

Departmental Funding

Questions (354)

Gerald Nash

Question:

354. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of unspent money contained in the Covid Contingency Fund as of 30 June 2022; the estimated expenditure from the fund on the provision of supports and services to refugees from Ukraine and Covid-19 related expenditure to 31 December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/22]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In Budget 2022, provision was made for up to €7 billion to continue our response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some €3 billion of this was allocated at Departmental level, while €4 billion contingency funding was held in reserve centrally to allow Government flexibility to respond to emerging needs during 2022. Following some additional allocations as part of the Revised Estimates in December 2021, €3.9 billion of this funding remained unallocated.

Due to the impact of rising costs of living, Government announced a package of measures in February to provide support for households. This included the Electricity Credit to domestic account holders, which had an estimated cost of €400 million. This measure required a Supplementary Estimate for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. This was brought before the Dáil in March to provide an additional of €271 million with the remaining cost funded through reallocation of existing resources within the Vote.

As of 30 June 2022, the allocation to Vote 29 is the only one that has been voted by the Dáil since the Revised Estimates. Resulting from this, the remaining contingency balance not yet allocated stood at just under €3.7 billion.

While this is the only additional draw down from the contingency funding allocated in Departmental Estimates this year to end June, there are significant pressures and commitments on the remaining funding including:

1. An additional Supplementary Estimate of €110 million was presented to the Dáil at the beginning of July for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to make funds available to address security of energy supply for winter 2023/24 as set out in the EirGrid, Electricity and Turf (Amendment) Bill 2022.

2. Further Covid support measures, including the response to the Omicron wave will require additional funding over that foreseen at the time of Budget 2022. This includes income and employment support schemes in the Department of Social Protection, Department of Health Covid-19 response, the targeted Commercial Rates Waiver for Q1 2022 and Department of Education Covid response measures. These Covid-19 expenditure pressures are evident in the end June expenditure reported in the Fiscal Monitor with gross current expenditure in the Department of Social Protection €292 million ahead of profile and €284 million ahead of profile in the Department of Health.

3. In addition, there will be further Covid-19 related spending requirements during 2022, in particular depending on developments in the trajectory of the virus over the winter period.

4. Additional allocations may be required to fund the other cost of living measures announced during the course of 2022.

5. Costs related to the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine will also need to be provided and will be significant. To date approximately €186 million has been spent across a number of Departments.

Further allocations from the contingency will be considered later in the year taking account of any offsetting underspends.