Written Answers Nos. 236-260
236. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if the NTMA, or the State in general, has any exposure to, or investments in crypto-assets; the safeguards that are in place to prevent such exposures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59371/22]
View answerThe Central Bank of Ireland has confirmed to me that it has no exposure to, or investments in, crypto-assets. Crypto-assets are not an approved asset class under the Central Bank’s investment framework. The Central Bank has an extensive financial risk management framework and robust governance structures in place for the approval of new asset classes. Strong internal controls ensure all investments are compliant with the Bank’s approved investment framework. The NTMA has also confirmed to me that it does not have any exposure to, or investments in, crypto-assets.
238. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the total value of payments made by the Central Bank to online companies for the delivery of scam messages and fraud awareness adverts in each of the years 2016 to 2021. [59534/22]
View answerThe Central Bank of Ireland engages in a comprehensive program of cyber security awareness activities. For operational and security reasons, however, the Bank has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts.
Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements or expenditure in place in relation to cyber security awareness.
239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance when additional measures will be implemented to enable credit unions to provide an extended range of financial services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59572/22]
View answerCredit unions can and do provide a wide range of financial services to communities across the country and are widening their product range over time. By way of example credit unions have rapidly increased their share of the new current account openings in recent months.
The Programme for Government contained commitments to:
- Review the policy framework within which credit unions operate;
- Enable and support the credit union movement to grow;
- Support credit unions in the expansion of services, to encourage community development; and
- Enable the credit union movement to grow as a key provider of community banking in the country.
I'm very pleased to say that the Credit Union (Amendment) Bill 2022 has received approval for publication by Cabinet. The Bill will recognise the role of credit unions, support investment in collaboration. support governance and improve member services. In addition three non-legislative actions are in progress to support transparency of regulatory engagement.
Cumulatively, the desired outcome of the Bill and the non-legislative actions is to strengthen the role of credit unions as a provider of community banking and to further enable credit unions to focus on priorities that will better position the sector to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.
240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in his Ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [59767/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department does not hold a record of the current employment status of Civilian drivers formerly employed by the Department who were replaced by an official Garda driver. No VER payments were issued to these drivers, and the Department is not aware of any case being presented to the WRC on foot of these changes.
241. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current estimated cost of supporting Ukrainian refugees in Ireland, noting that Ireland has contributed over €20 million to humanitarian aid to Ukraine and has also committed the EU to almost €1 billion in further aid; and the financial support available to Ireland from the EU to reimburse the cost of supporting Ukrainian refugees in Ireland given that the EU has also committed to billions more in lethal military aid. [58924/22]
View answerWelcoming and providing humanitarian supports to refugees from Ukraine has been a key priority for Government throughout 2022. A range of supports have been put in place for those arriving in Ireland including the provisions of accommodation, social protection, education and community response supports.
To the end of October expenditure of €0.6 billion has been incurred on this range of supports for c.60,000 arrivals. This includes humanitarian aid of €20 million through the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Government is allocating one billion euro across Departments as part of the supplementary estimate process in 2022. Over half of this funding relates to the provision of accommodation supports for arrivals from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and over twenty percent relates to social protection supports. Other costs include education, health and community supports.
As part of Budget 2023 I outlined a contingency provision of €2 billion for the State’s continued response to the war in Ukraine. This provision is based on an assessment of arrivals and costs to date, and assumptions regarding demographics and service usage. This funding will remain under review throughout 2023 based on the latest available information.
The EU has introduced a range of flexibilities to address the impact of the influx of Ukrainian refugees including a regulation on Cohesion Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) allowing for the swift release and reallocation of existing cohesion policy funding. Member States are also permitted to use existing funds not yet programmed under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU), a post-COVID recovery package and all unallocated resources under the current 2014-2020 funding period where programmes are drawing to a close. Ireland is making use of remaining unallocated funding under the European Regional Development Fund (€0.4m) and REACT-EU (€53m) for this purpose.
My Department has worked closely with other Government Departments and agencies to determine the range of existing activities supporting Ukrainian refugees which could be financed under this mechanism. Following examination of the range of services being delivered to Ukrainian refugees and the extent to which these align with EU funding criteria, the €53.4m in available funds is being directed to the Department of Social Protection via the European Social Fund.
These funds will be drawn down from the EU using a straightforward, ready-to-use unit cost or ‘Simplified Cost Option’ (SCO) which allows Ireland to claim a per capita payment of €100 for up to 26 weeks in respect of each Ukrainian refugee. Noting that the Department of Social Protection has incurred significant costs associated with processing and support of refugees, these funds will contribute to ongoing delivery of supports in this area.
242. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names of all companies supplying private security and cleaning services in his Department, including the cost of private cleaning in his Department, the cost of private security in his Department; the number of private cleaners supplied to his Department to provide these duties as part of these contracts, and the number of private security personnel supplied to his Department on foot of these contracts and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58736/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of cleaning services in the Department and cleaning and private security services in the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is also part of the Department, is set out in the tables below. With the exception of the OGP, the Department had no costs in respect of private security services.
The Deputy may wish to note that as the OGP is a tenant in its Dublin, Sligo and Trim office locations, a service charge is paid to the lead tenant for providing such services.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Year |
Supplier |
Cost |
Number of personnel supplied |
|
2022 to date |
Allpro Security Services Ltd |
€138,128 |
20 |
|
2021 |
Accent Solutions |
€72,349 |
20 |
|
2020 |
Accent Solutions |
€87,076 |
20 |
Office of Government Procurement (Limerick and Cork)
|
Year |
Supplier |
Cost |
Number of personnel supplied |
|
2022 to date |
Mc Kechnie Cleaning Services |
€2,859 |
1 |
|
Grosvenor Cleaning Services |
€1,969 |
1 |
|
|
2020 |
Mc Kechnie Cleaning Services |
€885 |
1 |
Office of Government Procurement (Dublin, Sligo and Trim)
|
Year |
Supplier |
Cleaning Cost |
Security Costs |
|
2022 to date |
Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General |
€10,198 |
- |
|
Office of Public Works |
€2,345 |
€145 |
|
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
€971 |
€2,679 |
|
|
Department of Social Protection |
€1,416 |
€1,713 |
|
|
2021 |
Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General |
€49,310 |
- |
|
Office of Public Works |
€3,657 |
€1,060 |
|
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
€2,228 |
€3,440 |
|
|
Department of Social Protection |
€1,617 |
€3,647 |
|
|
2020 |
Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General |
€36,413 |
- |
|
Office of Public Works |
€4,625 |
€1,180 |
|
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
€1,820 |
€1,944 |
|
|
Department of Social Protection |
€1,768 |
€4,228 |
243. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of the categories of public sector workers whose contracts fall under the Croke Park Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58758/22]
View answerThe Croke Park Agreement 2010-2014 was reached with ICTU as well as Gardaí and Defence Force Associations. The Agreement applied to all public servants.
Under the Croke Park Agreement, the only distinction that was made between categories of public service workers was at sectoral level. Sectoral agreements were as follows:
- Health Sectoral Agreement
- Education Sectoral Agreement
- Civil Service and Non Commercial State-Sponsored Bodies Sectoral Agreement (Inclusive of the Irish Prison Service)
- Local Government Sectoral Agreement
- Garda Siochána Sectoral Agreement
- Defence Sectoral Agreement
Further details on the categories and grades of public servants encompassed within each sectoral agreement may be obtained from the relevant sectors or Departments.
244. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm the timeline for making Government Departments and other public sector body websites digitally accessible to users with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58785/22]
View answerMy department is not responsible for the accessibility of other departments’ and public sector bodies’ websites so I cannot give a specific timeline. However we are working to promote and emphasise the importance of accessibility across government.
My department continues to work on improving accessibility and we have a number of on-going initiatives in this regard.
As the deputy will know, gov.ie, which is hosted by my department, is a website that holds the content of many public service bodies. Accessibility for gov.ie is a shared responsibility between my department and other public service bodies that are hosted within it.
We are working closely with the National Disability Authority (NDA) on an ongoing basis, to maintain a high standard of accessibility for gov.ie. We also have external accessibility auditors examining the gov.ie website. We are amending the website based on their feedback. The last NDA audit showed that gov.ie has an exceptionally high level of accessibility.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in my department is going to deploy a digital user experience checklist. This checklist will support departments and public sector bodies. It will encourage them to take considered steps that focus on the user, as well as accessibility, and therefore support accessibility in the broadest sense.
Our commitment to accessibility is reflected in the Civil Service Renewal 2030 Strategy under the theme “Digital first and innovation”. It states that “by placing the public at the heart of digital services, we will create more accessible and valued digital solutions. Adopting a customer-driven service design approach will help to ensure digital solutions are shaped by the needs and wants of the public”.
245. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of increases that public sector pensioners will receive following the Government pay deal review; and if he will outline details of the lump-sum that will be backdated to February 2022 for public sector pensioners. [58848/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, as the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have over-arching responsibility for public service pension policy and hold an approval role for certain pension schemes in the wider public sector.
Under the review of, and subsequent extension to the Building Momentum Agreement , as agreed earlier this year, pay increases have been awarded to public servants on 2 February 2022. This agreement does not apply to organisations in the wider public sector.
In accordance with the agreement, pay increases are due to public service pensioners who are members of pre-existing public service pension schemes (non-Single Scheme) on the principle of ‘pay parity’. This means in general that, as the pay allocated for a role increases, so will the associated pensions of retirees who formerly occupied that role. This is excepting the portion of an individual’s pension that is based on pensionable remuneration that is higher than the current pay rate for the role.
Therefore, the rate of pension increase for 2 February 2022 mirrors the pay increase rate, and is a 3% increase. This applies as follows:
- For public servants who had retired before 2 February 2022 and who are members of a pre-existing scheme, the pension they receive from their public service pension scheme should increase by 3% going forward. However, as this is a retrospective increase, a once-off payment of pension arrears is expected for this cohort.
- For public servants who had retired before 2 February 2022 and who are members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, their lump sum and pension remains unchanged as a result of the agreement.
- For all public servants who retired on or after 2 February 2022, their pension and lump sum should both be recalculated as necessary in accordance with scheme rules, based on the 3% increase to their pay from that date. A once-off payment of pension arrears may apply for this cohort, and arrears arising from recalculation of their lump sum gratuity may also be payable.
The calculation of pension benefits for public servants varies depending on the pension scheme they are a member of, as well as other factors making up their individual careers in the public service.
246. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the recent increase of 1% effective from 1 October 2022 under the Building Momentum agreement due to retired civil servants who are on an off-point scale may not be paid until the end of Q1 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59058/22]
View answerThe majority of pensioners (approx. 27,000) on off point rates on the Pensions system have now been aligned with PER pay scales and have received both the 2nd February and 1st October pay increases.
There remains approximately 5,000 pensioners on off point scales which need to be manually reviewed. These pensioners are on a mix of industrial scales and older pay scales that do not align with current Department of Public Expenditure and Reform pay scales and cannot be validated using automation or currently used reporting techniques.
Members of the NSSO’s Pensions operational team will be going through this data manually, line by line, to clarify what increases are appropriate so as not to apply under or over-payments.
247. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacancies there are currently at Administrative Officer grade; the number of appointments at this grade planned for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59164/22]
View answerDelegated sanction is the policy in place across the majority of the public service for the management of public service staffing levels since 2015. It was introduced by the Government to provide Offices and Departments with flexibility to recruit staff at grades up to Principal Officer level in order to meet identified business needs subject to remaining within overall pay ceilings agreed as part of the budget process.
Under delegated sanction, Departments have the scope to manage their workforce, subject to compliance with legislation, circulars and other policies. As a consequence, information about the current number of AO vacancies, or indeed internal competitions run at the AO grade and subsequent internal assignments, is not available to my Department and would be a matter for individual Departments to reply on.
According to the most recent data available to my Department, based on the Civil Service HR database updated by Departments, there were 1,147 individuals serving in the Administrative Officer (AO) grade, with a further 2,008 individuals at AO equivalent grades, at the end of October 2022 in full time equivalent (FTE) terms. A total of 3,155 individuals were at AO or equivalent grade at end-October in FTE terms.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) have provided the following information in relation to the competitions run by them for the AO grade:
- In October 2020 an AO competition was launched to recruit at that grade at the General, HR, Health Policy Analyst and Business and Finance Streams. From this competition a total of 240 AOs were assigned to different Departments
- In October 2021 a competition with the same criteria was run with 214 assignments resulting.
- A further competition for the Business and Finance stream was run in March of this year. To date 22 people have been assigned from that panel, with some candidates awaiting assignment
- In September of this year an AO General competition was run. First assignments will commence in the new year.
There is ongoing engagement between officials from my own Department and PAS and I understand that PAS plan to launch a new campaign in 2023 for the HR, Business & Finance, Energy, Environment & Climate and for the Health Policy Analyst streams at the AO grade. Assignments from these panels will commence towards the end of Q1 of 2023.
248. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW and An Garda Síochána have identified a site for the development of a new Garda station at Laytown, County Meath; if he will confirm when construction work on the site will commence under the relevant capital programme; the year in which the building will be completed; the estimated total cost of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59225/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I have been informed by An Garda Siochána (AGS) that they have recently included Laytown Garda Station on the draft Capital Programme for 2022 – 2030.
AGS are currently preparing a brief of requirements and a business case and will be requesting the Office of Public Works (OPW) to consider the provision of a site in the town suitable for the provision of a new Garda Station.
It is not possible, at this early stage, to provide either a timeframe or a detailed costing for the new Garda Station.
249. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing his Departments’ services who are employed in his Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that his Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59297/22]
View answerDue to the nature of its role, my Department does not provide services directly to the general public. Access to accommodation and buildings shared by my Department and the Department of Finance is provided by an Access Officer (services and buildings) in the Department of Finance. This arrangement and the contact details for the Access Officer are listed in the Customer Action Plan and Charter for the Department of Finance. This information is also available via the Quality Customer Service link on the Department of Finance website.
250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in his Ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [59364/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, following a security review by Garda Commissioner Harris, it was agreed to provide two Garda drivers to me. I had one Civilian Driver who was replaced by the Garda drivers.
Severance/ex gratia arrangements are in place and the option of redeployment to Temporary Clerical Officer is also facilitated.
We do not comment on personal payment arrangements or the current employment status of any particular individual.
251. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action that can be taken on the River Clodiagh which has been flooding in the Borrisoleigh area in recent weeks and causing damage to private property given that it clearly needs to be cleaned and maintained in order to resolve this ongoing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59383/22]
View answerWork on designing and constructing a viable flood relief scheme for the Borrisoleigh area is planned to progress within the lifetime of the National Development Plan and the Government has committed funding for this scheme.
The potential measures would protect at-risk properties against the 1% AEP Fluvial flood event by a combination of flood defences and improved channel conveyance. The potential flood defences would consist of a series of flood embankments, flood walls and road raising on the Cromoge River. The potential improvement in channel conveyance would consist of a bridge replacement with a culvert on the Cromoge River and pipe replacement with culvert on the Coolataggle tributary.
Local flooding is, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme and applications for funding from local authorities are considered for flood relief and erosion protection measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. In 2019, funding was approved to Tipperary County Council by the OPW under this programme for the construction of a surface water pipe along with 3 new gullies and associated works in the Borrisoleigh area.
The OPW has also provided funding to Tipperary County Council for flood alleviation works in respect of two properties at Priory Demense, Borrisoleigh Road in 2021/22. The Clodiagh River south-east of the townland of Cottage forms part of the Cromoge Drainage District. The Cromoge Drainage District is under the remit of Tipperary County Council.
252. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán a shonrú i dtaobh cé mhéad oifigeach pleanála teanga atá tar éis éirí as a bpost roimh dheireadh a dtéarma ó thosaigh na hoifigigh sin, cé mhéad limistéar pleanála teanga nach bhfuil oifigeach pleanála teanga fostaithe iontu faoi láthair, liosta a thabhairt de na ceantair sin nach bhfuil oifigeach pleanála teanga in oifig iontu faoi láthair, agus cur in iúl a thabhairt de na fáthanna gur éirigh oifigigh pleanála teanga as a bpost. [58748/22]
View answerTuigtear do mo Roinn ón aiseolas a fuarthas ina leith ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil tús curtha le feidhmiú pleananna teanga i 24 den 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta (LPT) agus i bpéire den 3 Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta (BSG) sa Ghaeltacht atá faoina chúram.
Is iad eagrais forbartha pobail, atá aitheanta mar cheanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga, atá freagrach as na pleananna teanga a fheidhmiú agus Oifigigh Pleanála Teanga agus Oifigigh Cúnta a fhostú. Déantar é sin le tacaíocht leanúnach airgeadais na Roinne a chuirtear ar fáil don phróiseas tríd Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge de réir mar a bhaineann.
Ag an bpointe seo, tá 28 eagraíocht bainteach leis an bpróiseas sa Ghaeltacht idir 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga agus dhá Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta.
Faoi láthair tá 25 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus 4 Oifigeach Cúnta Pleanála Teanga i mbun oibre sna LPT agus BSG sin. Tá folúntais d'Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga i 3 LPT - Árainn Mhór, Dún na nGall Theas agus na Déise. Tuigtear don Roinn go mbeidh tús á chur le feidhmiú pleananna teanga sna LPT Bearna/Cnoc na Cathrach agus an tEachréidh go luath - áit a mbeidh Oifigigh Pleanála Teanga ag dul i mbun oibre iontu.
Den 28 ceanneagraíocht thuasluaite, tá an OPT céanna i mbun oibre i gcás 18 de na ceanneagraíochtaí ó thosaigh siad faoi seach ag feidhmiú a gcuid pleananna.
Tá curtha in iúl ag an Údarás go bhfuil 14 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga tar éis éirí as a bpost roimh dheireadh a dtéarma ó cuireadh tús le feidhmiú an phróisis 5 bliana ó shin. Baineann sé seo le 10 gceanneagraíocht/limistéar pleanála teanga éagsúla san iomlán. Tuigtear gur bhain cúiseanna éagsúla leis seo, ar nós deiseanna ar phost buan/post ag leibhéal níos sinsearaí, bogadh as ceantar amháin go ceantar eile nó filleadh ar an earnáil ina raibh siad roimhe sin. Tuigtear chomh maith ón aiseolas atá faighte ón Údarás, go bhfuil beagnach gach duine a bhí fostaithe mar OPT fós fostaithe in earnáil na Gaeilge.
253. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici a chinntiú go dtabharfaidh athbhreithniú cuimsitheach Choimisiún na Meán aird ar na nithe sin a mhol sí a bheadh feiliúnach don athbhreithniú sin, le linn an phlé ar an mBille um Rialáil Sábháilteachta ar Líne agus na Meán, 2022, ag Céim an Choiste - go háirithe soláthar seirbhís náisiúnta raidió ar leith don aos óg, cuótaí i gcás úsáid na Gaeilge ar an teilifís agus ar an raidió, athbhreithniú straitéiseach ar chraolachán na Gaeilge, íosmheid 30 nóiméad de Ghaeilge ar an raidió agus ar an teilifís ó 9 go 5 idir Luan agus Aoine, cuótaí don cheol trí Ghaeilge ar an raidió, agus íosmhéid infheistíochta de 25% ag RTÉ i léiriúcháin neamhspleácha trí Ghaeilge - trí threoir shonrach a thabhairt don Choimisiún, an bhfuil sí den tuairim gur chóir go mbeadh an Coimisiún in ann neamhaird a thabhairt ar na nithe sin san athbhreithniú más mian leo, nó an bhfuil sí den tuairim gur chóir go mbeadh aon treoir don athbhreithniú cuimsitheach sin curtha go sonrach isteach sa Bhille ag Céim na Tuarascála chun a chinntiú go mbeidh siad san áireamh in athbhreithniú. [58754/22]
View answerCeann de na moltaí a rinne an Coimisiún um Thodhchaí na Meán go ndéanfaí athbhreithniú cuimsitheach ar sheirbhísí agus ábhar Gaeilge ar fud chóras na meán. Ghlac an Rialtas leis an moladh seo, agus tá sé i gceist go ndéanfaidh Coimisiún na Meán an t-athbhreithniú seo, agus meastar go dtógfaidh sé ocht mí dhéag le críochnú.
Leag an Coimisiún roinnt ceisteanna amach ina dtuarascáil ar cheart don athbhreithniú díriú orthu, lena n-áirítear róil RTÉ, TG4, Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus soláthraithe ábhair. Ina theannta sin, moladh go scrúdófaí san athbhreithniú deiseanna do chomhoibriú agus do chomhpháirtíochtaí amach anseo; straitéisí le haghaidh rannpháirtíocht óige, cláir óige agus oideachais. Cé nach mian liom talamh slán a dhéanamh de mhionsonraí athbhreithniú neamhspleách an Choimisiúin, bheinn ag súil go mbeadh an próiseas leathan go leor chun na ceisteanna a d’ardaigh an Teachta a chlúdach.
254. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding allocated annually for specific projects (details supplied) by county in each of the past ten years; the stage of development that the funded projects are currently at in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58814/22]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the funding allocations for angling development, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
255. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress of the night time economy pilot for the nine cities and towns announced in October 2022; and if she will provide a schedule for the expected progress in the delivery of these pilot schemes and the various supports, appointments and funding involved. [58958/22]
View answerI recently announced the locations of the 9 towns and cities which will take part in the new Night-Time Advisor pilot initiative. The selected pilots are Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town. The selection process was led by the City and County Management Association (CCMA) with support from my Department and an independent panel reviewed and selected the successful applications. This is in direct response to Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which I launched last year.
My Department will be providing the funding for the Advisor posts and my officials are working with the CCMA to finalise details in relation to the role and to ensure that the recruitment process to appoint the officers gets underway as soon as possible.
It is expected that the new Night-Time Economy Advisors will help to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their specific areas. They will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. Each new Advisor will be tasked with establishing a new Night-Time Economy Committee which will be diverse, inclusive and dynamic. The Advisors will have to ensure that all existing local structures are assessed to ensure synergies are developed where possible.
A consultation process will also be undertaken leading to the development of an action plan setting out a range of interventions to support the co-ordinated development of the area’s Night-Time Economy.
I would like to thank the CCMA for their role in leading this process and I look forward to getting the Advisors in place as soon as possible and getting started.
256. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will agree to her Department conducting a review of the agreement between France and audiovisual media service providers between the present date and the end of the year, seeking the advice of her French counterparts on the system in place there, and producing a report early in the New Year outlining the advantages and disadvantages of the agreement and the applicability of such a model in the Irish market. [59057/22]
View answerSection 54 of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 provides for the imposition of a content production levy (termed the ‘European works levy’) on media service providers (i.e. providers of broadcasting and video on demand services) to fund a scheme (termed ‘the European works scheme’) to support the production of European works, including Irish works. The Bill provides that both the levy and the associated scheme would be administered by Coimisiún na Meán.
I am aware that the French authorities have imposed investment obligations on certain audiovisual media service providers. For the purposes of consistency and transparency it was determined that a content levy was the most appropriate approach to the issue in the Irish context. As with the existing Sound and Vision scheme, the model envisaged in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill would allow producers to compete for funding on a transparent and competitive basis in line with objective criteria. This would not be the case with investment obligations, where decisions on the nature of content to be funded would lie with the company subject to the investment obligation.
It is not envisaged that the content production levy would be put into effect until Coimisiún na Meán has carried out independent research into the viability of such a levy in an Irish context. Accordingly, upon its establishment next year, I expect that research into the design and incidence of the levy will be priority for Coimisiún na Meán. An Coimisiún will need to identify all the consequences associated with the levy, including the impact on our broadcasters who may be liable for the levy, and on the price of audiovisual media services in the State.
257. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing her Departments’ services who are employed in her Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that her Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59301/22]
View answerContact details for my Department's two Access Officers, appointed under the Disability Act 2005, are available on my Department’s website - www.gov.ie/organisation/en/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-media.
As the Deputy will be aware, with the exception of the National Archives, my Department is not involved in the direct provision of services to the public. Information in relation to my Department's policies, initiatives and schemes, is also available on my Department's website.
Information for visitors to the National Archives, including contact details for the Access Officer, is available on the NAI Website www.nationalarchives.ie.
258. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the names of all companies supplying private security and cleaning services in her Department, including the cost of private cleaning in her Department, the cost of private security in her Department; the number of private cleaners supplied to her Department to provide these duties as part of these contracts, and the number of private security personnel supplied to her Department on foot of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59740/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy regarding cleaning and security services costs incurred in respect of my Department’s offices in Killarney, Joyce House Dublin, Na Forbacha Co. Galway and Gaoth Dobhar, Co,. Donegal is set out in the tables below.
Cleaning Services
|
Supplier |
Office Location* |
Number of staff supplied |
Expenditure - 2022 to date |
|
Allpro Services |
Killarney (see note below) |
3 |
€58,063 |
|
Bidvest Noonan |
Na Forbacha |
2 |
€16,134 |
|
Clean Plus |
Joyce House |
2 |
€8,941 |
|
FM Services Group |
Gaoth Dobhar |
1 |
€221 |
|
Total |
8 |
€83,359 |
Note: In June 2022, following a tender competition, Allpro Services were contracted to provide cleaning services at all Department offices with 8 staff currently employed.
Security Services
My Department has no on-site security services, instead private security services are engaged for key-holding and after-hours call-outs as set out in the table below.
|
Supplier |
Office Location |
Expenditure - 2022 (to date) |
|
Bidvest Noonan |
Killarney |
€ 315 |
|
G4S |
Na Forbacha |
€ 319 |
|
€ 634 |
259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in her Ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [59776/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that I have two Civilian Drivers currently assigned to me since the formation of this current Government. Both appointments were made in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform instructions regarding Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil and staffing for Ministerial Offices. Both officials were hired on fixed-term contracts to temporary positions in the Civil Service.
I am aware of arrangements currently underway whereby members of An Garda Síochána are to be assigned as Ministerial Garda drivers. At this time, no Ministerial Garda drivers have been assigned to me.
I am advised that both Civilian Drivers appointed to me have been advised regarding the severance and redeployment options that may be available following assignment of Ministerial Garda drivers.
260. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline any proposed changes to the process of voter registration; the details that are required on voter registration forms; and when these changes will come into force. [58699/22]
View answer
