Written Answers Nos. 456-470
456. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by State bodies under his aegis; the list of all State bodies under his aegis that are or could be currently acting independently of the OPW to acquire their own property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42024/22]
View answerI am advised by the bodies under the aegis of my Department in relation to properties leased by them as set out below.
The Central Bank does not lease any properties, and the Bank is not currently acting to acquire property.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is currently a tenant, with lease agreements in place, at two properties, which comprise three floors at Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2 and one floor at 6 Clare Street, Dublin 2. It is not in the process of acquiring its own property.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) currently has lease agreements for office accommodation at 1 Treasury Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1. It previously had lease agreements for office accommodation at Treasury Building, Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2.
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI) and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) each has a lease with the NTMA in relation to space occupied by them in Treasury Dock, North Wall Quay, and are not currently seeking to acquire their own property.
The Investor Compensation Company (ICC) DAC has an agreement in place with the Central Bank whereby, in line with the terms of the Investor Compensation Act, 1998 (Section 20), the Bank provides support services to the ICC. These services include the supply of office accommodation for staff working in the ICC. The cost of providing this accommodation, together with that related to other services (e.g. canteen, postage, HR-related) is charged to the ICC, which pays for same from its own resources.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (Fiscal Council) office facilities are located in the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) building. The Fiscal Council has a Shared Services Agreement (SSA) in place with the ESRI and the SSA fee includes a charge, on a pro rata basis, for support services provided by the ESRI which include Office Facilities, Accounts, IT, Reception and other corporate services.
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) operates from two floors of a building (3A Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1) owned by the Central Bank and leased by the OPW. The Office of the C&AG also has the use of 8% of the floor area of a storage facility in the Jamestown Business Park, Dublin 15 — that facility is also leased by the OPW. The Office has not acted independently of the OPW in relation to the acquisition of any property.
The Office of the Revenue Commissioners operates from various locations that are managed by the OPW. It currently rents 4 storage facilities for the temporary storage of seized vehicles in the following locations: Castlebar (Mayo), Parkmore (Galway), Tullamore (Offaly) and Baldonnel (Dublin). Discussions are ongoing with the OPW regarding taking ownership of these rental agreements.
Apart from the building in which it is located, the Tax Appeals Commission does not lease any properties, nor does it act independently of the OPW in this regard.
The Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal leases its office suite in Block 4/5 Arran Square, Dublin 7 from a private landlord. IFSAT acts independently of the OPW in respect of its lease of the said property.
457. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of applications that have been made through the Office of Public works minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme for projects in County Wexford; the number of these applications that have been approved; and the number that have been rejected in tabular form. [39784/22]
View answerAll Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works, using either their own resources, or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
Under this 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.gov.ie/opw.
The table below shows the number of applications for County Wexford, together with the number of applications approved, refused and under review.
458. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39960/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy for my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, is set out in the tables below.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the higher spend in 2017 and 2018 was in relation to the media campaign to promote and raise awareness of the Public Services Card and MyGovID.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Year |
Advertising Costs |
|
2022 (to date) |
€1,074 |
|
2021 |
€3,521 |
|
2020 |
€36,917 |
|
2019 |
€51,767 |
|
2018 |
€207,265 |
|
2017 |
€213,165 |
|
2016 |
€1,334 |
|
2015 |
€2,460 |
(There were no relevant costs from 2012 to 2014)
Office of Government Procurement
|
Year |
Advertising Costs |
|
2020 |
€5,324 |
|
2019 |
€5,553 |
|
2018 |
€4,281 |
|
2017 |
€3,451 |
|
2016 |
€1,484 |
|
2015 |
€3,824 |
|
2014 |
€16,689 |
(The OGP commenced operations in 2014. There were no relevant costs during 2021 and to-date in 2022).
459. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39978/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department (including the Office of Government Procurement) has not incurred any costs associated with external public relations consultancy during the period specified.
460. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of legal cases brought against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39996/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51B.
461. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40014/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that details of the consultancy and legal fees spend for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is regularly updated and published on the gov.ie website. In this context, details of this spend since the Department’s establishment in 2011 up to the end of April 2022 can be found at the below link. The spend from April 2022 to date will be updated and published shortly.
www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/8b97d6-consultancy-costs/
462. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [40032/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the provision of office accommodation for Government Departments and Offices falls under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW). In line with this position, offices occupied by my Department are provided by the OPW and are not acquired by my Department directly.
The details of the additional requested costs incurred during the period specified for my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, are set out in the tables below.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Year |
IT Costs |
Office Furniture Costs |
|
2022 (to date) |
€52,115 |
€9,655 |
|
2021 |
€162,288 |
€9,896 |
|
2020 |
€473,029 |
€121,386 |
|
2019 |
€326,820 |
€26,065 |
|
2018 |
€274,263 |
€85,200 |
|
2017 |
€338,111 |
€25,945 |
|
2016 |
€266,956 |
€12,139 |
|
2015 |
€241,327 |
€2,817 |
|
2014 |
€250,369 |
€5,317 |
|
2013 |
€150,985 |
€120,278 |
|
2012 |
€117,107 |
€30,229 |
Office of Government Procurement
|
Year |
IT Costs |
Office Furniture Costs |
|
2022 (to date) |
€8,561 |
€27,879 |
|
2021 |
€209,125 |
€89,090 |
|
2020 |
€196,246 |
€13,085 |
|
2019 |
€232,998 |
€3,456 |
|
2018 |
€66,920 |
€10,222 |
|
2017 |
€29,610 |
€3,576 |
|
2016 |
€55,228 |
€5,670 |
|
2015 |
€188,560 |
€4,230 |
|
2014 |
€362,848 |
- |
(The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) commenced operations in 2014)
463. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times that he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip in tabular form. [40050/22]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, I have undertaken five official overseas visits since my appointment as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in June 2020. The additional details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
|
From |
To |
Duration |
Geographic Location |
Travelling party including the Minister |
Flights (Total) |
Accommodation (Total) |
|
10.11.21 |
11.11.21 |
2 |
UK - London |
4 |
€179.32 |
€920.00 |
|
17.11.21 |
18.11.21 |
2 |
Europe - Brussels |
3 |
€375.27 |
€480.00 |
|
23.02.22 |
23.02.22 |
1 |
UK - London |
4 |
€953.68 |
€0.00 |
|
13.03.22 |
19.03.22 |
7 |
USA (San Francisco) & Canada (Vancouver) |
4 |
€5,866.51 |
€3,918.08 |
|
23.05.22 |
27.05.22 |
5 |
USA - New York & Washington) |
4 |
€5,188.20 |
€3,064.00 |
464. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount that his Department spent on rented accommodation in Portlaoise in 2019, 2020 and 2021 given the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40127/22]
View answerThe table below illustrates the rental amounts paid by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in respect of the leased buildings in Portlaoise occupied by Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for 2019, 2020 and 2021. The comments provide an explanation for variances for each year.
Long term office requirements in Portlaoise will continue to be monitored in light of the OPW’s contractual obligations under these leases, the Covid 19 pandemic and the emergence of Departmental Blended Working policies.
|
BUILDING NAME |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
COMMENT |
|
Portlaoise Agric Warehouse |
€107,919.24 |
€134,899.05 |
€80,939.43 |
One Quarter’s rent was held in 2019 pending verification of Landlord’s title and was subsequently paid in 2020. |
|
Portlaoise Agric Office Eircom - Eircom 2 |
€100,000.00 |
€100,000.00 |
€100,000.00 |
|
|
Portlaoise Grattan House |
€43,650.00 |
€43,650.00 |
€43,650.00 |
|
|
Portlaoise Agri Records |
€98,133.16 |
€98,133.16 |
€98,133.16 |
|
|
Portlaoise Agriculture Office Eircom – Eircom 1 |
€114,381.72 |
€114,381.72 |
€114,381.72 |
|
|
Portlaoise DAF Appeals Office |
€294,180.18 |
€0 |
€0 |
In accordance with the terms of the Lease, rent was held in 2019 & 2020. The 2021 figure includes rent and arrears dating back to October 2018. |
|
Portlaoise Grattan Pavilions |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
The annual rent is being withheld pending the outcome of ongoing litigation. |
465. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 13 January 2021, when the requested information which has been repeatedly sought regarding reports of investigation of complaints against management of Kilmainham Gaol will be provided. [40212/22]
View answerIt is not appropriate to release information relating to complaints made by, or about, staff to anyone through the Parliamentary Questions forum. Parties to a complaint may seek information through the appropriate channels.
466. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the rent review of an office building complex (details supplied); the engagement that he and his representatives have had with the building's landlord since June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40230/22]
View answerThe lease held by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) in respect of the office building referred provides for an upward/downward rent review at 5 yearly intervals in accordance with Consumer Price Index (CPI). The first rent review, due on 21st December 2021 was recently agreed between the Landlord and the OPW and is being formalised at present.
As with any major leased building, OPW has ongoing contact with the landlord of this particular property. One outstanding legacy issue remained to be addressed and, with significant goodwill on both sides, the parties have now arrived at an agreement in principle that will resolve the issue. Formal documentation is currently being finalised following which the OPW expects to be in a position to complete the agreement over the coming weeks.
467. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the restaurant and associated services in Kennedy Park and Arboretum, New Ross, County Wexford are closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40408/22]
View answerThe Café concession at John F. Kennedy Arboretum operates on a seasonal basis and normally opens between March and mid-November of each year. The last trading period concluded in November 2019.
OPW had planned to tender this concession opportunity in March 2020 but this was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. During this period of closure of the café, OPW has taken the opportunity to carry out a survey of the premises which found that works are required before re-opening. The building was constructed in 1967 and while works have been carried out previously, it now requires a significant amount of upgrading. The OPW is currently exploring the most appropriate option to upgrade the facilities.
In the interim, The Hoof Top is operating café services through a mobile unit located next to the playground in the arboretum.
468. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a recent tender was put out to provide restaurant services in the existing restaurant facilities in Kennedy Park and Arboretum, New Ross, County Wexford; if so, the number of applications that were received for the tender; when he expects the tender to be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40410/22]
View answerThe Café concession at John F. Kennedy Arboretum operates on a seasonal basis and normally opens between March and mid-November of each year. The last trading period concluded in November 2019.
OPW had planned to tender this concession opportunity in March 2020 but this was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. During this period of closure of the café, OPW has taken the opportunity to carry out a survey of the premises which found that works are required before re-opening.
As it is not possible to provide restaurant services in the current building, a decision was made to seek mobile units to provide some catering facilities to visitors. In May 2022, a procurement was placed on the eTender system to seek mobile units to operate at the arboretum. Fifteen companies expressed an interest, with one tender submitted. This was successful and the company was awarded the contract in June 2022. The service provider is now operating on site at John F Kennedy arboretum.
469. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of re-establishing Gaeleagras on the budget allocation it received in its final year of operation [40464/22]
View answerThe Budget allocation received by Gaeleagras in its final year of operation, which was 2012, was €45,000. While the re-establishment of Gaeleagras would require an increase on that amount given the passage of time, I would like to highlight a number of points to the Deputy.
My Department remains committed to building the capacity of its staff to conduct their business through the medium of the Irish language. To this end, Irish language courses (intermediate and advanced) have been available for civil servants through OneLearning since 2018. From this Autumn, a beginners Irish course will also be available. In addition, also from this Autumn, Irish language courses will be certified. The certification will be based on the Teastas Eorpach sa Ghaeilge (TEG) which is a well-established certification system for learners of Irish. TEG is run by Maynooth University and is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment (Council of Europe, 2001). The TEG system gives employers objective and specific information about the language ability of candidates. This will be of particular importance in the implementation of the provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 over the next number of years.
TEG certification will be introduced on a phased basis. For the Autumn 2022 term, beginner and intermediate levels will have partial certification (i.e. learners will complete an oral TEG exam). The advanced level will be fully certified (i.e. learners will complete both an oral and written exam). For the Spring 2023 term and going forward, all learners will be required to complete both oral and written exams.
470. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of doubling funding for the National Folklore Collection. [40486/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has no role in the provision of funding to the National Folklore Collection and as such is not in a position to comment.
