Jackie Cahill
Question:302. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54397/22]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (302, 303, 304)
Jackie Cahill
Question:303. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is the Garda authorities or the OPW that has the decision-making ability to reverse and revise the policy not to grant licences for use of the Templemore pool to commercial and profit-making groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54398/22]
View answerJackie Cahill
Question:304. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether it is justifiable to potentially permit a group to offer lifesaving, lifeguarding, swimming, and water safety courses in the swimming pool in Templemore Garda college if they are not a commercial or profit-making entity, but to refuse a group the same licence that offers lifesaving, lifeguarding, swimming, and water safety courses in the swimming pool in Templemore Garda college if they are a commercial or profit-making entity, given the local need for these life skills and life-saving courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54401/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 302 to 304, inclusive, together.
The swimming pool in the Garda 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 community groups or schools, where appropriate.
Any decisions relating to the use of the facilities at the College are a matter for the College authorities. The OPW is consulted in relation to any potential impact on the property, or to sign the legal licensing documentation on foot of a recommendation from the College authorities to proceed with a licence agreement.
Therefore, the decision on any such applications are for the College authorities and, if they determine that a licence may be awarded, will request the OPW to formally grant the licence. The guidelines on the use of the facilities are also issued by the College authorities.
While the OPW is consulted as the property owner, the Garda authorities must take account of issues relating to the efficient use of the property and related administration/running costs, in their decisions around the use of the facilities. The OPW has no difficulty in supporting a licensing process, but this must be cognisant of the above and the views of the Garda authorities as occupiers of the Garda College complex.
In general, such State-owned facilities have been accessible on a not-for-profit basis in line with the views of the Garda authorities. If there is a decision taken by the College to move to more commercial use of the facilities, it is likely that it would require a transparent tender process for such services, with the relevant resources assigned in the College to manage that process. If the Garda College authorities wish to alter the arrangements around the licensing process, or the opening and closing of the facility, the OPW will consider how it may assist them, subject to resources and to ensuring that the property is protected.
Question No. 303 answered with Question No. 302.
Question No. 304 answered with Question No. 302.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (305)
Jackie Cahill
Question:305. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if solutions to the rising cost of running the swimming pool in Templemore Garda college have been explored with the Garda Commissioner, other than the closures of the pool, which will impact water safety for children in particular due to the inability to provide water safety courses locally, which has been the norm for over 50 years in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54435/22]
View answerWritten answers
I refer the Deputy to the responses to questions Nos 302 to 304, inclusive, in which he will note that access by private operators to the swimming pool is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the College Authorities in Templemore.
The matter of running costs and decisions around the opening and closing of the swimming pool at the Garda Training College Templemore are a matter for An Garda Síochána and the College authorities.
Local Authorities
Questions (306)
Cathal Crowe
Question:306. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the drainage responsibility for the Inagh river in County Clare was transferred at some stage from the Office of Public Works to Clare County Council; when and the way in which this happened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54470/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes and flood relief schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended.
The responsibility for maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, was conferred on the relevant Local Authorities. In this regard, under section 19 of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1925, the duty and power of maintaining the Inagh River Drainage District works in good repair and condition and proper and efficient working order, and of doing all matters and things reasonably necessary for or incidental to such maintenance, was conferred on Clare County Council in December, 1940.
Flood Risk Management
Questions (307)
Michael Ring
Question:307. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the position in relation to a project (details supplied) following the feasibility study which was carried out by the local authority and funded by the OPW; when a meeting between the OPW and the Department of Transport will be arranged to progress matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54482/22]
View answerWritten answers
A Feasibility Study, commissioned by Mayo County Council and funded under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works scheme, was carried out in connection with Flood Relief for the Neale/South Mayo area in 2021 by Langan Consulting Engineers.
This report estimated the cost of addressing the issues here at €6.4m with the majority of the benefits coming from the protection of road infrastructure.
In June of this year, I met with the Deputy and a delegation of the local community to discuss how a viable scheme might be identified and progressed.
Mayo County Council has finalised and submitted to the OPW, for review, a report on the feasibility study. OPW has now completed its review of this feasibility study and identified elements of the study that require further examination and Mayo County Council is currently compiling their response.
On completion of this process, the OPW will convene a multi-agency meeting with the relevant stakeholders to discuss the potential of a scheme and how it can be progressed and funded. This meeting will include the Department of Transport, as the majority of the benefits from a scheme will benefit roads and road access.
Office of Public Works
Questions (308)
Martin Browne
Question:308. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the Office of Public Works will not allow a local commemoration group access to Roscrea Castle to mark the centenary of four republicans who were executed there during the Civil War; and his views on whether the OPW, as a State body, should support the efforts of local groups working to celebrate Irish history. [54605/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works has never refused access to members of the families concerned to visit the site, at any time, to lay wreaths in a private capacity.
For the one hundred year anniversary next year, OPW has received one such request and it hoped to facilitate this visit on the date requested by the families concerned.
The OPW has also received a request from the commemoration group to which the member refers which also mentions family members wishing to lay wreaths at the site and again OPW will be happy to facilitate this for them in a private capacity.
The policy of Heritage Services - National Monuments, on my direction, is that our heritage sites remain apolitical. It is understood that the group is engaging with the Local Authority to develop a proposal and should such a joint proposal be submitted and supported by the council, this would be a more collaborative approach to the event giving cross-party support and greater community representation and OPW officials are happy to engage with the commemoration group in this regard.
Again, it is to be re-iterated that OPW will endeavour to facilitate any family member who wishes to lay a wreath in a private capacity. Officials in the OPW are available at all times to engage with local interest groups and I am pleased to advise that there is regular ongoing engagement with the local Heritage Group in Roscrea.
Office of Public Works
Questions (309)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:309. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide the date by which the OPW's Flood Map report for the Carnmore and Claregalway, Galway area will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54688/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by my officials that the consultant appointed to design the Claregalway Flood Relief Scheme is currently producing updated flood maps that represent the flood hazard (post completion) of all flood relief scheme works undertaken in the Claregalway and Carnmore areas. It is currently envisaged that this mapping will be completed and reported upon in the early part of next year.
Climate Action Plan
Questions (310)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:310. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all commitments related to his Department in the climate action plan; and if he will provide an update on the implementation of each of these commitments in tabular form. [54689/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has responsibility for reporting on the implementation of 28 actions in the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2021, 15 of which are assigned to the Office of Public Works (OPW). Of these, 14 fall within the reporting period covered by the latest available progress report, which was to quarter 2 2022. Please find attached a table containing updates on these actions.
We are currently coordinating the return of updates for inclusion in the Q3 2022 progress report, which is due to be published shortly (www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications/).
Defence Forces
Questions (311)
Sorca Clarke
Question:311. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department will provide an expected date for publication of measures agreed regarding the requests from Department of Defence for extensions on the mandatory retirement age at current pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54722/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may be aware that there is an ongoing review in relation to possible extensions to mandatory retirement ages and the impact on pay and pension across ranks in the Permanent Defence Forces. While this review is ongoing, an interim request was made by the Minister for Defence with respect to retaining Sergeants until end 2024, under their current terms, who were recruited post 1 January 1994 and who are reaching their current mandatory retirement age before then. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has agreed to this request. Work remains ongoing and it is currently expected to conclude over 2023; however, it is not possible at this point to provide a precise date regarding conclusion of the wider review.
Office of Public Works
Questions (312)
Claire Kerrane
Question:312. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 20 September 2022, if a response will be provided to this query; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54782/22]
View answerWritten answers
My apologies for the delay in responding to the Deputy. The Office of Public Works is aware of proposals to develop facilities at the house and lands at Rathcroghan and these proposals are currently under consideration.
Any final decision pertaining to the full development of the house will be dependent on the requirements for same into the future and will be subject to availability of resources.
OPW, through its care and maintenance of Rathcroghan, a National Monument in State care has an important working relationship with the Tulsk Action Group through the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre and will continue to support them in their endeavours.
State Properties
Questions (313)
Cathal Crowe
Question:313. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify the plans that exist for the Garda station in the village of Doonbeg that was shut down in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54839/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate - comprising approximately 2,500 properties. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties extends from Leinster House to Skellig Michael and includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies.
As would be the norm in such a large portfolio, at any given time, there will be a number of properties being refurbished or vacant. The State will always retain a number of vacant properties for future use. As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.
In a case where the OPW does not need to retain a property, and has deemed it surplus to requirements, the office follows a strict procedure. The OPW's Disposal Policy (consistent with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars on disposals of properties) with regard to vacant State property, including the former Garda station property at Doonbeg, Co. Clare is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments, Local Authorities or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of it on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
When a property is deemed surplus to the requirements of the Commissioners, the OPW notifies all relevant stakeholders as part of the disposal policy. This includes notifying the Land Development Agency and the relevant local authorities who may be interested in acquiring the property for housing purposes.
Both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Children in addition to all relevant local authorities have been briefed on all relevant vacant properties on a number of occasions so that they can determine whether they need these properties for housing or other accommodation purposes.
In line with the above policy, the OPW has sought alternative State use for the former Garda station property at Doonbeg, Co. Clare.
To date no State requirement has been identified for the property at Doonbeg. The OPW is therefore in the process of preparing the property for disposal on the open market during 2023.
Office of Public Works
Questions (314)
Brendan Griffin
Question:314. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a contract (details supplied) will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54899/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Commissioners of Public Works are carrying out the necessary final checks on the contract referred to and expect to be in a position to sign the contract when this is complete. Every effort is being made to bring this matter to a conclusion by the end of November.
Tax Code
Questions (315)
Michael Ring
Question:315. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the rationale of new mileage rates (details supplied) in comparison to the BIK rate changes from January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54937/22]
View answerWritten answers
Travel on official duty is an integral part of the functions carried out by many civil and public servants. As a standard principle, public servants should always strive to use public transport for official travel in the first instance, where suitable.
The mileage rates are designed to compensate an officer for the costs incurred in using their own car on official business. The rates are set based on a methodology agreed with the Staff Associations. The methodology takes account of both overhead costs (such as car cost, depreciation and insurance) and also running costs (fuel costs and maintenance). The rates are intended to reimburse an officer for the costs incurred and are not considered a source of emolument or profit. As such, these rates are not considered to be an incentive for officers to use their own cars for official travel.
The Deputy may wish to note that the formula underpinning the motor mileage rates was reviewed in 2017 with a view to reflecting increased efficiencies and improvements in motor technology. The rates are laid out in three categories, up to 1200 CC, 1201 to 1500 CC and 1501 CC and over. This reflects the differing costs associated with cars that fall into each category for the overhead and running costs referred to above. The revised rates are based on an agreed methodology that reflects changes in technology, road conditions, commuter behaviour and car ownership patterns. In comparison to the previous system, the revised rates provide a proportionally more beneficial compensation regime for officers with cars with lower engine sizes (i.e. the 0-1200cc engine category).
The Deputy may also wish to note that my Department recognises the importance of encouraging officers to choose more environmentally-friendly vehicles and methods of travel and recently included electric vehicles in the current motor travel rates.
My Department has no role in matters relating to Benefit In Kind (BIK) which comes under the purview of the Revenue Commissioners.
Circular 16/2022, which sets out the revised motor travel rates effective 01 September 2022, is attached for your information.
Public Sector Pay
Questions (316)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:316. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are any plans to restore the daily rate paid for interview work to the pre-FEMPI rates given that all other civil service salaries and payments that have been restored; if there is a reason that a former civil servant working as a consultant on interview boards for the PAS earns a rate of €130 per day when other consultants doing the same work earn a rate of €150 per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54944/22]
View answerWritten answers
The following rates are payable to former civil and public servants who serve on Interview/Selection Boards in the Public Appointments Service and throughout the civil and public service.
Retired Civil Servants (on pension):
|
Secretary General |
€377 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
€295 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
€200 |
|
Principal |
€150 |
|
Assistant Principal |
€130 |
Former civil and public servants who serve on Interview/Selection Boards provide a valuable service in supporting selection processes. The need to review the current rates will be assessed in the context of emerging expenditure trends and recruitment needs across the public service.
Departmental Websites
Questions (317)
Catherine Murphy
Question:317. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will apply a fix to a website that is hosted by his Department (details supplied). [54994/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Minister wishes to advise the Deputy that the system is now fully operational.
State Properties
Questions (318)
Seán Sherlock
Question:318. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the opening of Barryscourt Castle, in Carrigtwohill, County Cork. [55249/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Office of Public Works is very conscious that Barryscourt Castle has been unavailable to visitors and the local community for the last number of years. I have asked my officials in the National Monuments division to work on a re-opening plan for the site and I would hope that progress will be made in this matter over the coming months. However, it is not possible to give a definitive date for reopening, at this stage, due to the complexity of the ongoing conservation works.
Flood Risk Management
Questions (319)
Michael Ring
Question:319. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a scheme (details supplied); when the works will commence on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55281/22]
View answerWritten answers
In October 2020, the Office of Public Works (OPW) submitted the confirmation documentation for this scheme to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for review. As part of this process, there are a number of statutory steps including public consultation and a request for further information, if needed. Supplementary Information was subsequently sought by the Department and this was provided by OPW in July 2021.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 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 Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has engaged consultants to examine the submissions received under the public consultation process and this work is ongoing. Upon completion of this work, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform will take into account all relevant information as prescribed in the Act and make a decision on whether to confirm the scheme in accordance with Section 7E. (1).
The Minister can decide to either: confirm the scheme, refuse to confirm the scheme, or refer the scheme back to OPW for revision in specified respects.
It is not possible to determine a commencement date for works to go on site until this confirmation process is concluded.
The OPW remain committed to this scheme and have allocated funding and a works crew to progress the scheme subject to Ministerial confirmation. The construction duration for this scheme is estimated to take some four years.