Written Answers Nos. 229-253
229. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 1383 of 8 September 2022; his Department’s plans, if any, to improve the security of ports to ensure that dogs that have been stolen are stopped before they are exported from Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45947/22]
View answerRevenue is the competent authority with responsibility for ensuring that imports and exports of all goods into the State are conducted in line with customs and other sectoral legislation. In this regard they act in an agency capacity to assist other State Agencies in the implementation of numerous pieces of sectoral legislation relating to the movement of live animals. This may include, at the request of a State Agency, risk profiling to identify suspect movements of live animals.
Additionally, I am advised by Revenue that if Customs Officers at Ports or Airports, as part of routine or intelligence led operations, detect dogs that have been stolen or where there is a concern that animals are suspected of being transported in contravention of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013, Customs Officers liaise with An Garda Síochána or the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as appropriate.
230. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45954/22]
View answerThere is continued monitoring of tax related issues by my Department. Over the course of each year, a number of reviews of tax expenditures and other tax related matters are carried out by, or on behalf of, the Department of Finance. These may be used to ascertain whether existing tax measures should be amended, continued, extended or ended, or to otherwise review or assess certain taxes (existing and proposed) or groups of taxes. A range of options for possible new or amended tax policy measures are examined as part of the Tax Strategy Group (TSG) process each year. The reviews are normally published on the Department’s website, and may be included in the TSG papers, or with the annual Budget documentation.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is currently carrying out the following live studies, reviews and research projects:
231. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are being rejected mortgage protection insurance for past mental health issues by using the three-strike rule, for example if they have attempted to commit suicide three times in the past 10 years; the impact that this has had on those who are fully recovered yet still unable to secure mortgage protection insurance; if he will review this insurance policy with insurers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46010/22]
View answerI note that the question refers to a particularly sensitive issue concerning applications for mortgage protection insurance for those who previously have had certain mental health conditions. It is my understanding that generally insurers use a combination of rating factors in making their individual decisions on whether to offer cover and what terms to apply. These can include: age; health; family medical history; occupation; and lifestyle. In addition, these may be determined or linked to the policy duration. In the case of mortgage protection policies, these tend to be over the lifetime of the repayment schedule. In addition, my understanding is that different insurers do not use the same combination of rating factors. Accordingly, prices and availability of cover varies across the market, and will be priced in accordance with firms’ prior claims experience.
My officials have previously engaged with Insurance Ireland about accessing life insurance for individuals with medical conditions. According to Insurance Ireland, it is not standard practice to automatically decline cover for any cohort of applicants. It stated that insurers are obliged to assess the risk involved as part of any application for a life insurance policy, which will be specific to the individual applicant, and that the availability of cover depends on a number of factors. In this regard, I understand that applicants are asked questions about various conditions in order for insurers to assess the risk involved, and that all applicants are assessed against the same criteria. If higher risk is identified as a result of this assessment, Insurance Ireland has advised that the policy will be adjusted accordingly, and cover may be declined if the applicant poses a risk beyond the insurer’s threshold.
It may be useful for the Deputy to know that Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance cover, which can be accessed at feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Where somebody feels they have been treated unfairly by a particular insurance provider, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO acts as an independent arbiter of disputes that consumers may have with their insurance company or other financial service provider. The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01-567-7000.
Finally, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products, nor can we compel any insurer operating in the Irish market to provide cover to specific individuals or businesses. This position is reinforced by the EU framework (the Solvency II Directive) for insurance companies.
232. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the annual revenue raised by private businesses operating in OPW sites nationally for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [45460/22]
View answer233. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of private businesses operating in OPW sites nationally, by county for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [45461/22]
View answer234. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of 10-year contracts that were entered into by the OPW from 2013 to date for the operation of private businesses at OPW sites in tabular form. [45462/22]
View answer235. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts of any duration entered into by the OPW from 2013 to date for the operation of private businesses at OPW sites in tabular form. [45463/22]
View answer236. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of private business contracts terminated by the OPW from 2019 to 2022 in tabular form. [45464/22]
View answer237. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of three-year licences entered into by the OPW from 2013 to date for the operation of private businesses at OPW sites in tabular form. [45465/22]
View answer238. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of licences terminated by the OPW from 2013 to date for the operation of private businesses at OPW sites in tabular form. [45466/22]
View answer239. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has ceased issuing long term contracts at their sites for the operation of private businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45467/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 232 to 239, inclusive, together.
Additional time is needed to collate the required information. The OPW will respond to the Deputy directly on the matter.
240. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to update rule 4(1)(b) of the Pension Declaration Rules 1966 regarding an eligible witness to include additional persons such as elected members of both the Houses of the Oireachtas and local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45468/22]
View answerS.I. No. 134/1966 - Pensions Declarations Rules, 1966 prescribed who was eligible to witness a pension declaration. The 1966 rules were revoked in 2003 and replaced with S.I. No. 171/2003 - Pensions Declarations (Amendment) Rules 2003. The 2003 amendments did not alter the list of persons eligible to witness a pensions declaration made outside the State.
Section 4(1)(b) of Si 171/2003 provides that in the case of a pensions declaration which is made outside the State, a person fitting one of the descriptions specified in the Schedule to the pensions declaration rules is eligible to witness the pensions declaration. The Schedule of persons eligible to witness a pensions declaration made outside the State provides as follows:
Schedule
Persons (not being the pensioner, or the spouse of the pensioner or of the declarant, or a close relative or a spouse of a close relative) before whom pensions declarations are to be made outside the State:
1. A person whose name is on the register of Dáil electors;
2. An Irish diplomatic or consular officer;
3. A person who, under the law of the country in which the pensions declaration is made, is -
(a) a minister of religion recognised as such,
(b) a magistrate recognised as such,
(c) a physician or surgeon registered as such,
(d) a person qualified and acting as a lawyer in the country in which the pensions declaration is made and authorised to so act,
(e) a notary public or other person competent to administer oaths,
(f) an officer authorised to sign documents on behalf of a bank, including a savings bank, being a bank recognised as such, or
(g) a serving police officer duly appointed.
Elected members of both the Houses of the Oireachtas and local authorities, provided they are listed on the register of Dáil electors, are already eligible to witness a pensions declaration.
A full transcript of SI 171/2003 may be found on the Irish Statute Book Website at the following URL: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2003/si/171/made/en/print.
241. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has received a licence request from a person (details supplied) to use the swimming pool at Templemore Garda Training College to train Special Olympics swimmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45471/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has not received a license request directly in relation to the use of the swimming pool in the Garda Training College, Templemore to train Special Olympics swimmers.
The swimming pool in the Training College is part of the facilities of the College. The principal use of these facilities are for the College, but they can be made available to other groups where appropriate. The process through which applications are considered initially is via the Garda Training College, in the first instance.
As soon as the OPW receives confirmation from the College that an application has been made, together with the relevant information, the OPW will be in a position to consider the request.
242. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps that he is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by his Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45585/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not own or lease any vehicles. With the exception of the Office of Public Works (OPW), this is also the case for the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
The OPW have informed me that they continue to review the market to assess the options for replacing diesel-powered fleet items with feasible electric or hybrid alternatives. This year, significant progress was made by the OPW in the procurement of electric vehicles and 23 electric vehicles are expected to be added to the fleet by the end of the year. These vehicles include 4 electric buses and 19 electric vans. In 2023, further progress in the replacement of diesel-powered vehicles is planned by the OPW with the procurement of an additional 19 electrical vehicles.
I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that Action 149 of the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019 has now been completed by the Office of Government Procurement in my Department. As such, procurement contracts are now available to allow public bodies to purchase electric vehicles by direct drawdown.
243. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to issue a formal circular to all Government Departments and all public bodies in relation to their responsibilities and statutory obligations under the Public Sector Equality & Human Rights Duty under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission Act of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45806/22]
View answerThere is not currently any plan for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to issue a circular to all government departments and public bodies in relation to obligations under the Public Sector Equality & Human Rights Duty under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission Act of 2014.
Obligations and duties under the Act are the responsibility of individual government departments and public bodies. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission plays a key role in relation to the Duty including the provision of guidance, support, monitoring and enforcement, engaging extensively with public bodies to raise awareness of the Duty and support effective implementation.
OneLearning, the Civil Service Learning and Development Centre, which is based in my Department, has an important role to play in raising awareness across the Civil Service of equality, human rights and the Public Service Duty. The IHREC eLearning module “Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service” is now available on OneLearning’s learning management system and to date over 1100 Civil Servants have enrolled for this module. In addition, an extensive learning needs analysis for the Civil Service, conducted by OneLearning in 2021, identified Equality, Diversity and Inclusion as a key learning need. 52 new training courses are currently in various stages of design and roll out at this point in time and all of the new courses, where appropriate, are addressing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with a number of courses specifically being developed to address EDI and the Public Sector Duty. IHREC have worked closely with OneLearning throughout all stages of the process and are involved with the development of the course content.
244. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to efforts to develop an OPW managed site (details supplied); if any engagement has taken place in relation to these efforts; if consideration could be given to allow these plans to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45858/22]
View answerThis office kindly requests more time to compile a response and we will reply to the Deputy directly.
245. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the refurbishment works that the OPW carried out on the Rock Of Cashel in 2021 and to date in 2022. [45860/22]
View answerWhile general maintenance continues at the Rock of Cashel, the following specific works have also been undertaken at the site in 2021 and 2022:
- emergency repairs to a breach on an exterior section of the boundary wall and to an interior arch stone in the Niche Tomb in the nave.
- repointing of some of the boundary wall as well as repair to one of the base stones of the Corner Bastion.
- repairs to floor slabs in the Vicars Choral continue as required as well as necessary monitoring of specific areas of the site.
246. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current number of live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by his Department in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [45960/22]
View answerThe tables below outline the studies, reviews and research being conducted at present by my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement which is part of my Department.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Purpose of review / research / study |
Expected completion date |
|
The development of guidance for Departments preparing action plans to address the recommendations of an Organisational Capability Review |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Review of the Public Service Innovation Fund |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Review of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Research into the impacts of open data use in Ireland |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Well-being and public policy – utilising a well-being perspective to inform public policy |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Well-being and public policy – utilising a well-being perspective to inform the budgetary process |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Spending Reviews 2022 – A key platform for evidence informed policy making across the Civil Service |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Public consultation for views on digital public services and to inform priorities for these services |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
An Analysis of the IDA Regional Property Programme |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
An analysis of Own Resource Income within Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Independent Review Panel established to review Senior Public Service recruitment and pay processes |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Review of the Process for the Distribution and Utilisation of National Lottery Funds |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
IGEES Analytical Notes |
Quarter 4 2022 |
|
Lives of Older People in Ireland – utilising the Well-being Framework for Ireland to describe people’s lives |
Quarter 1 2023 |
|
Report on alignment of Current Budgetary Expenditure with Policy Objectives specifically as it relates to ex ante evaluation of current expenditure. |
Quarter 1 2023 |
Office of Government Procurement
|
Purpose of review / research / study |
Expected completion date |
|
Study to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the public procurement processes in Ireland |
Quarter 1 2023 |
|
Review of inflation provisions in contracts published under the Capital Works Management Framework |
Quarter 2 2023 |
|
Consultant Engagement Review under the Capital Works Management Framework |
Quarter 1 2023 |
|
Review of the operation of the roles of the Standing Conciliator and Project Board (introduced by the OGP in 2016), relative to dispute resolution procedures in the public works contracts |
Quarter 4 2023 |
247. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 5 April 2022, the status of a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46046/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is progressing with the planning application of the new commemorative bridge and entrance plaza linking the Irish National War Memorial Gardens to Conyngham Road and the Phoenix Park. To date all appropriate baseline studies have been completed including the Feasibility Study, Ecological studies and a Business Development Strategy. Funding has been approved to planning permission stage, and the OPW is continuing to work with Ian Ritchie Architect to get this project to full planning permission. The OPW anticipate submission by end of Q4, 2022. Subject to further availability of funding, a full procurement process will be undertaken and it is hoped that works will commence on site before the end of 2023.
248. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she intends to develop a new food and drinks tourism strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45530/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to the development of a Sustainable Tourism Policy document and, in advance of this, an interim action plan. It is clear that the traditional model of tourism is changing and the development of this new national tourism policy provides an opportunity to set out what type of tourism sector we want out to 2030 and beyond. All issues will be considered in the context of the policy.
249. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps that she is taking to increase the percentage of electric or hybrid vehicles owned by her Department and state agencies and bodies under the Department’s remit. [45589/22]
View answerAs I advised the House in my replies to Parliamentary Question No. 429 of 28th April 2021 and Parliamentary Question No. 578 of 24th March 2021, my Department does not own or operate any vehicles.
In relation to State Agencies under the aegis of my Department, while these are operational matters for such bodies, my Department's Statement of Strategy includes a cross-Departmental goal in relation to sustainability, with a view to embedding sustainable practices within the Department's business model. I have established a "Green Team" within the Department and a core goal is to ensure that bodies under the aegis of my Department proactively implement policies, including sustainable transport policies and operations appropriate to each Agency's need.
250. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider including equestrian centres for funding under the Sports Capital Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45824/22]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
Under the Programme, funding has been provided to many horse riding clubs as well as to Horse Sport Ireland, the National Governing Body for equestrian sport in Ireland. It has, however, been a long standing principle of the Programme that funding is not provided to commercial entities. Obviously the provision of funding to commercial bodies would reduce the funding available for voluntary bodies, many of whom rely on government support to develop their sports facilities.
In relation to the eligibility criteria for future rounds of the SCEP, my Department has begun a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following the completion of the review, the Department will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications in the new year.
251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if further funding or supports will be given to Horse Sport Ireland for its high performance programmes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45840/22]
View answer252. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an increase in participation grants will be given to Horse Sport Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45844/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various funding programmes such as the High Performance Programme and Core Funding Programme.
As decisions on the allocation of funding are a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Sport Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
253. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of the 2,000 artists selected for the basic income project that have been accepted; and if there is a standby list for consideration to replace any who may not have been accepted. [45912/22]
View answerOf the 2,000 places offered just over 1900 people have accepted their offer to take part in the pilot scheme to date.
Over the coming weeks the process of accepting places offered will be finalised, and if any applicants who were selected decide not to participate in the scheme, those places will be reallocated using a random selection process. If that situation does arise, all eligible applicants who have not already been selected (including those in the control group) will be included in another selection process to fill places prior to first payment.
