Written Answers Nos. 256-275
256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which any particular economic features require amendment or refocus in order to avoid difficulties in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3318/23]
View answerAs a small open and highly globalised economy, we are, by our very nature particularly susceptible to economic shocks and periods of volatility. In the last half decade alone, our economy has endured several once in a generation type shocks. Firstly, we had to contend with the long drawn-out effects of Brexit, this was followed by a global pandemic which brought large parts of our economy to a standstill for nearly two years. Now our economy must contend with the economic aftershocks of war on European soil.
The exceptionally large energy price shock, resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has reverberated throughout the world and led to multi-decade high global inflationary pressure. In Ireland, the annual average inflation rate rose to just over 8 per cent in 2022, compared with around ½ per cent over the past decade. Almost every advanced economy is in the same position, with euro area inflation averaging 8.4 per cent last year.
Whilst we cannot prevent shocks of this nature from occurring, we can ensure we are on the best possible footing to respond to these shocks when they do occur. This prudent approach has enabled the Government to respond pro-actively to help protect households and business as cost of living pressures have mounted. Budget 2023 was a cost of living budget and provided for a total package of €11 billion in measures, comprising €4.1 billion of temporary supports, such as electricity credits, double transfer payments and TBESS as well as €6.9 billion of permanent measures including adjustments to income tax bands, increases in social welfare and pension rates and reduced childcare costs. These supports have been designed to provide much needed support to households and firms while avoiding a situation in which the Government’s response becomes part of the inflation problem.
Despite numerous shocks over recent years, our economy proven to be remarkably resilient in the face of these challenges. Nowhere has this resilience been more clearly evident than in the labour market, with 2½ million people now in employment – a record level and an unemployment rate of just 4.3 per cent in December, one of the lowest rates on record.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if investment funds operating or intending to operate here will be brought under the aegis of the Central Bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3319/23]
View answer258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if investment funds operating here will be asked to comply with guidelines and supervision of the Central Bank given the number, size and power of investment funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3320/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together.
The authorisation and broader regulatory requirements applicable to regulated financial service providers (RFSPs) operating in Ireland is dependent on the nature of the regulated activities carried out and as such RFSPs may be subject to authorisation and regulatory requirements under different regimes.
The Central Bank of Ireland is responsible for the authorisation and supervision of investment funds established in Ireland. Investment funds are established for the purpose of investing the pooled funds of investors (held as units or shares) in assets in accordance with investment objectives and investment policies published in a prospectus.
There are two main categories of funds authorised by the Central Bank: Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) and Alternative Investment Funds. Further details on the legislation, authorisation process, supervision process, regulatory requirements, guidance and other relevant matters pertaining to regulated funds can be found on the following page of the Central Bank website: www.centralbank.ie/regulation/industry-market-sectors/funds
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that inflation here will continue to reduce further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3321/23]
View answer260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the contributory factors to inflation continues to be monitored by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3322/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
Consumer price (HICP) inflation picked up sharply over the past year, with annual average inflation of just over 8 per cent recorded in 2022, compared with around ½ per cent over the past decade. Every advanced economy is in the same position, with euro area inflation averaging 8.4 per cent last year. The key drivers of global inflationary pressures over the past year were the rise in wholesale energy, food and other commodity prices as a result of the war in Ukraine.
While inflation remained elevated at 8.2 per cent in December, this marks a decline from the peak of 9.6 per cent reached last summer, and 9.4 as recently as October. This faster than anticipated easing of the inflation rate is explained largely by movements in wholesale energy prices. Following a surge in prices over the summer and early autumn, gas prices have moderated in recent months. This primarily reflects the milder winter, high European gas storage levels and sufficient LNG supplies with market prices now at around £1.70 per therm, compared with £4 per therm at Budget time. Oil prices have also declined due to the slowdown in global demand.
This easing in wholesale energy markets suggests that inflation has now peaked and is on a downward trajectory. That said, the inflation rate is expected to remain high over the coming months, with a more pronounced easing of the inflation rate anticipated from the second quarter of this year. Despite this, the price level consumers face will remain elevated. Furthermore, due to continued energy supply concerns there remains significant uncertainty around the outlook for inflation.
Government has acted forcibly and decisively to help ease the burden of inflation. Budget 2023 was a 'Cost of Living' Budget and includes an overall package of €6.9 billion, including adjustments to income tax bands, increases in social welfare and pension rates and reduced childcare costs. One-off measures amounting to €4.1 billion have also been provided. This was on top of some €3 billion in measures introduced by Government over the course of last year. The temporary and targeted nature of many of these supports balances the need to provide necessary fiscal support to households and firms while avoiding a situation in which the Government’s response becomes part of the inflation problem.
Looking ahead, my Department will continue to monitor incoming economic data and will publish updated inflation projections in the Stability Programme Update in April. No decision has been made on whether the measures currently in place will be allowed to expire or whether new measures will be introduced. It would be premature to make a decision on further interventions before the prospects for inflation, developments in the public finances and the effectiveness of current measures can be fully evaluated.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied that this economy continues to perform well when considered in the overall European context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3323/23]
View answer262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which he remains satisfied with the performance of Ireland’s economy when compared will all others in the eurozone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3324/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
The invasion of Ukraine and Russia’s weaponisation of gas supplies has triggered an exceptionally large energy price shock and undermined global economic prospects. Given its reliance on Russia for gas imports, the European economy is facing a significant terms of trade shock, manifesting in multi-decade high inflation rates. As such, many of the headwinds faced by the wider European economy are the same as those faced by Ireland.
Inflationary pressures rose sharply over the course of last year, with an average annual rate of inflation of 8.1 per cent recorded in Ireland for 2022 as a whole. While it appears as though inflation has reached its peak, it is expected to remain elevated over the coming months.
Against this backdrop, growth in the domestic economy is expected to remain subdued as inflationary pressures continue to erode household incomes and weigh on consumer spending. However, the Irish economy is facing into this crisis from a relatively strong position with record employment levels and an unemployment rate standing at just 4.3 per cent in December – close to the lowest on record.
My Department is forecasting modified domestic demand (MDD) growth of 1¼ per cent for this year, and while low in comparison to non-Covid years, it compares relatively favourably to our European peers. The OECD forecasts growth of just ½ per cent for the Euro area for 2023, with a projected contraction in the UK economy of -0.4 per cent. The German economy is expected to contract by -0.3 per cent, while the French economy is forecast to grow by 0.6 per cent.
My Department will update its macroeconomic forecasts as part of the Stability Programme Update in the spring.
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which financial services here continue to compete internationally and effectively with all others relative to access, size and location; the degree to which efforts continue to be made in this regard in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3326/23]
View answerIreland is now one of Europe’s major financial centres, with direct and indirect employment across investment management, banking, insurance, aviation financing, fintech and payments.
Direct employment in international financial services at the end of 2021 stood at over 52,800 with over 30% regionally based. Data for 2022 should be available shortly, but it is fair to say that the sector in Ireland is well positioned for further growth, a goal which aligns with the vision contained in the Update to Ireland for Finance strategy (launched October 2022) and the development of a robust and sustainable financial services sector in Ireland.
In this regard, the Government continues, through the IDA and other agencies, to promote the attractiveness of Ireland as a global location of choice for specialised international financial services, building on our strengths in talent, technology, innovation, excellent client service, stable and consistent policymaking and an open economy while also focusing on capturing on new opportunities in a changing market and embracing the highest forms of governance.
Since the Brexit referendum in the UK, we can point to a number of firms that have moved to Ireland in banking plus the many investment firms who have chosen Ireland as their European base. Three of the largest market infrastructure players in their respective markets have made Ireland their post-Brexit location for their European business and a couple of ratings agency have also announced the relocation of their EU HQ location to Ireland. As such over recent years, the nature, scale and complexity of Ireland’s international financial services sector has and continues to change in a number of ways as a result of firms relocating within the single market, and the sector is broader and more diverse with more firms carrying out a greater range of regulated activities than at any time. The full impact of Brexit for Ireland’s international financial services sector may not materialise for some years.
IDA Ireland recognises that there is global competition from many overseas locations within Europe and further afield in attracting mobile foreign direct investment, across all sectors, including international financial services. In this respect, the Agency is constantly monitoring competitor locations and the value propositions they offer potential mobile investment.
Competition for FDI is intense and global with virtually every country in the world actively seeking new FDI investments. Every single job created in Ireland by an overseas company has to be fought for, against every increasing competition from a growing range of sophisticated locations.
Despite the risks from current geopolitical changes, the Government believes that FDI opportunities for Ireland will be on-going, however, investment will be hard won, and it will require continuing whole-of-Government support and private sector participation.
265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance the amount of tax received on all fuel and energy in the past five years. [3362/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the total excise tax receipts in respect of fuel and energy for the past five years for Mineral oil tax (MOT) Solid fuel (SF), Natural Gas (NG) and Electricity Tax (ET) are provided in the table below.
|
Year |
MOT€m |
SFCarbon Tax€m |
NGCarbon Tax€m |
ET€m |
Total€m |
|
2022* |
2,221.6 |
25.8 |
94.5 |
3.5 |
2,345.4 |
|
2021 |
2,467.1 |
27.9 |
83.3 |
5.2 |
2,583.5 |
|
2020 |
2,219.7 |
23.8 |
65.0 |
2.1 |
2,310.6 |
|
2019 |
2,524.1 |
20.1 |
50.4 |
2.3 |
2,596.9 |
|
2018 |
2,518.9 |
25.3 |
50.0 |
2.5 |
2,596.8 |
*Provisional receipts
A further breakdown of excise receipts for 2021 and prior years is available on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/excise/receipts-volume-and-price/excise-receipts-commodity.aspx
In relation to VAT, I am further advised by Revenue that traders are not required to identify the VAT yield generated from the supply of specific goods and services on their VAT returns. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the VAT yield on all fuel and energy related products and services using taxpayer information alone. However, using Revenue and third-party data sources a tentative estimate of the VAT generated over each of the past 5 years is provided in the table below.
|
VAT on Fuel/ Energy Product type |
2018€m |
2019€m |
2020€m |
2021€m |
2022€m |
|
Electricity |
246.8 |
263.4 |
246.8 |
270.8 |
381.0 |
|
Gas |
68.7 |
71.2 |
63.5 |
49.2 |
79.0 |
|
LPG (home) |
13.2 |
13.6 |
11.9 |
13.1 |
14.8 |
|
Home Heating Oil |
33.6 |
31.7 |
23.3 |
28.3 |
47.1 |
|
Marked Gas Oil |
52.0 |
52.2 |
47.5 |
50.3 |
66.5 |
|
Auto LPG |
0.4 |
0.4 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.5 |
|
Kerosene |
60.8 |
54.1 |
65.7 |
69.3 |
67.0 |
|
Petrol |
294.0 |
276.2 |
194.6 |
235.4 |
299.0 |
|
Diesel |
305.8 |
303.1 |
284.5 |
324.0 |
382.0 |
|
Solid Fuel |
44.3 |
30.1 |
30.8 |
47.2 |
61.0 |
|
Total |
1119.6 |
1096.0 |
968.9 |
1087.9 |
1397.9 |
266. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the practices of the financial vulture fund companies in terms of the crisis affecting mortgage holders. [3363/23]
View answerThe Central Bank has put in place a range of measures in order to protect consumers who take out or have a mortgage. This consumer protection framework seeks to ensure that lenders are transparent and fair in all their dealings with borrowers and that borrowers are protected from the beginning to the end of the mortgage life cycle, for example, through protections at the initial marketing/advertising stage, in assessing the affordability and suitability of the mortgage and at a time when borrowers may find themselves in financial difficulties.
This consumer protection framework includes the various Central Bank statutory Codes of Conduct such as the Consumer Protection Code 2012 (Code) and the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears 2013 (CCMA) and all regulated entities, including banks, retail credit firms and credit servicing firms, are required to comply with the provisions of these codes in their dealings with consumers.
The CCMA provides specific protections for borrowers in arrears or facing a prospect of arrears on a loan secured on a primary residence. In particular, a regulated entity must pro-actively encourage borrowers to engage with it about financial difficulties which may prevent the borrower from meeting his/her mortgage repayments.
Also, where a borrower is experiencing repayment difficulty, a regulated entity must explore all of the options for alternative repayment arrangements (ARAs) offered by the entity to determine if a more suitable and sustainable repayment option is available based on the borrower’s individual circumstances.
If a borrower is not satisfied with the options proposed, or if the regulated entity declines to offer an ARA, an appeals mechanism is provided for in the CCMA. In addition, a regulated entity must review an ARA at intervals that are appropriate to the type and duration of the arrangement, including at least 30 calendar days in advance of an ARA coming to an end.
In relation to the mortgage interest rates charged by different categories of Central Bank regulated entity it is, subject to the terms of the particular contract, a commercial matter for individual mortgage creditors to set their own lending rates.
However, the Code, inter alia, requires that all regulated entities explain to borrowers how their variable interest rates have been set including in the event of an increase. Where a borrower is facing an increase in the rate of their mortgage, they can seek to move to another product at their existing lender or switch to a different lender, noting this will be subject to the lending criteria, terms and conditions of the lender to whom they apply.
In this respect, the Central Bank has advised that it has engaged with lenders to ensure the operational capacity is in place to facilitate people to switch at a system wide level.
The Central Bank also advises that the protection of mortgage loan borrowers, including those in arrears, is a key priority and that it will continue to supervise compliance by regulated entities with the CCMA and will investigate any issues that arise, including patterns of behaviour which suggest that the CCMA process is not being followed.
267. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by his Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3381/23]
View answerThe Department of Finance publishes a Tax Expenditure Report annually, as required under the EU Budgetary Framework Directive. A tax expenditure reduces or postpones revenue for a certain population of taxpayers relative to the tax base and can take a number of forms including exemptions, allowances, credits, preferential rates or deferral rules.
The 2022 Tax Expenditure Report was published with Budget 2023. It contains a list of 191 Tax Expenditures in tabular form, including the amount of revenue forgone for each Tax Expenditure for the last two years in which the information is available. The amount of total revenue forgone in the latest year for which data are available is €7.7 billion. Figures for 2022 are not yet available. It should be noted that tax expenditures are available to both individuals and businesses and it is not possible to provide a breakdown of revenue forgone by class of usage.
The Report containing the list in tabular form can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ccc22-budget-2023-taxation-measures/
Further detailed analysis is also available in respect of Covid-related supports provided via the tax system, many of which were targeted at supporting businesses affected by public heath measures. This was published in a Tax Strategy Paper, available online at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/d5b41-budget-2023-tax-strategy-group-papers/
268. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out a timeline for the Chesterfield Avenue project, including details on the design, planning and construction phases and any potential stakeholder engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2724/23]
View answerThe Chesterfield Avenue Cycle Lane Project involves the upgrade of walking and cycle facilities in the Phoenix Park between Castleknock and Conyngham Road/Parkgate Street. The route is a primary route in the Greater Dublin Regional Cycle Network Plan 2013, forming part of Route 5. The scheme extents cover a distance of 4.22km.
The National Transport Authority have agreed to fund the Chesterfield Avenue Project. Dublin City Council Active Travel Programme Office will provide project management services to deliver the project through the design, planning and construction phases and will work collaboratively with the OPW to design and deliver the project. It is estimated that this project will commence in 2024.
Tender documents for the engagement of a multidisciplinary design team are being finalised by DCC and are due to issue in the coming weeks. DCC is setting up a consultative stakeholder process for the project.
269. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the review of ethics legislation consultation; when the review of the ethics legislation report from 2022 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2789/23]
View answerI am happy to inform the Deputy that the review to which his question refers has been completed and a report on it was submitted to Government by my predecessor, Minister McGrath, in December. The Government approved the Review Report‘s publication and agreed to the preparation of a General Legislative Scheme to reform the legislation informed by the review's outcome. On foot of this, my Department will prepare a draft legislative scheme in consultation with relevant Ministers with the intention of bringing it to Government for approval to publish during 2023. The Review Report itself is currently being prepared for publication and it will issue very shortly.
As the Deputy might recall, my Department’s review of Ireland's statutory framework for standards in public office, which was agreed by the Government in September 2021, covered the following elements:
- A review of Ireland’s existing ethics legislative framework, including a reassessment of the 2015 Public Sector Standards Bill.
- A review of the recommendations of relevant tribunals of inquiry.
- A review of recommendations of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) based on its operation of the current regime.
- Consultations with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government on the local government aspects of a consolidated statutory regime; and
- A review of current EU/International best practice; and
- Public Consultation - Consultations with various parties.
Responses to the public consultation were received from citizens, political parties and civil society organisations, including Transparency International Ireland. Themes emerging from responses to the public consultation exercise included:
- The urgency of reform in this area, support for the 2015 Public Sector Standards Bill approach and regret that Bill did not complete the legislative process;
- Calls for the reinforcement of the obligation of public officials, as well as the investigative and enforcement powers of SIPO, and its resources;
- Suggestions for generalised ‘cooling-off’ periods, while acknowledging that a balance is to be achieved between personal freedom and obligations placed on public officials to safeguard the integrity of public life.
The Review also considered input from key public sector stakeholders including the Departments of Justice and Housing and Local Government. It also engaged with the Dáil and Seanad Committees on Members Interests and considered recommendations from the Standards in Public Office Commission.
I can inform the Deputy that the recommendations in the Review Report broadly focus on five key themes:
- A legislative framework for Ethics to be underpinned by a set of overarching integrity principles.
- New specific statutory prohibitions, including on the use of insider information.
- Strengthening disclosures requirements to improve transparency and examining whether the regime should encompass more office-holders.
- Strengthening the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).
- Post-term employment restrictions for elected officials/public servants that address matters not already covered by lobbying regulation and should align closely with that legislation.
In driving this reform process, the Government’s ultimate goal is to create a fit-for-purpose, easy to understand and user-friendly ethical framework that contributes to the quality and efficacy of our public administration.
270. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of secretariat staff provided to the Standards in Public Office Commission by the Office of the Ombudsman in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2790/23]
View answerThe Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) is funded as part of the Vote for the Office of the Ombudsman (Vote 19). The activities of SIPO represent one of the programmes making up the overall Vote (the others are: Ombudsman, Commission for Public Service Appointments, Office of the Protected Disclosures Commission, Office of the Information Commissioner, Commissioner for Environmental Information and Referendum Commission). The table shows details of staff who are directly assigned to SIPO but does not include staff in the shared services area of the Office of the Ombudsman, who provide an extensive range of support services to SIPO.
|
SIPO |
Staff numbers |
|
|
31-Dec-12 |
9 |
|
|
31-Dec-13 |
8 |
|
|
31-Dec-14 |
9 |
|
|
31-Dec-15 |
12 |
|
|
31-Dec-16 |
14 |
|
|
31-Dec-17 |
15 |
|
|
31-Dec-18 |
19 |
|
|
31-Dec-19 |
20* |
* 1 staff member on career break |
|
31-Dec-20 |
22* |
* 1 staff member on career break |
|
31-Dec-21 |
21* |
* 1 staff member on career break |
|
31-Dec-22 |
24* |
* 2 staff members on career break |
The support services of the Office of the Ombudsman are included in full in the Ombudsman programme (which also includes the Director General and Private Secretary). The staffing support provided to SIPO includes the following:
- Provision of ICT services,
- Provision of Finance services,
- Human Resources services,
- Facilities Management services,
- Provision of in-house legal support,
- Provision of in-house communications services,
- Reception/Service officers.
271. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding provided to the Standards in Public Office Commission in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2791/23]
View answerThe Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) is funded as part of the Vote for the Office of the Ombudsman (Vote 19). The activities of SIPO represent one of the programmes making up the overall Vote (the others are: Ombudsman, Commission for Public Service Appointments, Office of the Protected Disclosures Commission, Office of the Information Commissioner, Commissioner for Environmental Information and Referendum Commission).
The following funding has been made available through the Estimates Process for SIPO, including its functions concerning the Regulation of Lobbying. However, these figures do not include rent or the salary costs of the extensive shared services provided by the Office of the Ombudsman which are detailed below.
|
Year |
Estimates Amount €000 |
|
2023 |
2,086 |
|
2022 |
1,992 |
|
2021 |
1,964 |
|
2020 |
1,893 |
|
2019 |
2,234 |
|
2018 |
2,073 |
|
2017 |
2,061 |
|
2016 |
2,008 |
|
2015 |
1,867 |
|
2014 |
1,317 |
The figures in the table above do not include the cost of staff who work in the support services of the Office of the Ombudsman. These staff costs are borne in full by the Ombudsman programme (which also includes the Ombudsman’s salary and travel costs, and the salaries of the Director General and Private Secretary). The staffing support provided to SIPO includes the following:
- ICT services,
- Finance and Procurement services,
- Human Resources services,
- Facilities Management services,
- Legal Services Unit,
- Provision of in-house Communications services,
- Reception/Service officers.
Cost of premises (rent/rates, etc) is also not included. This is paid by the OPW.
The figures in the table do include direct expenses of SIPO (payroll costs of staff assigned full-time to SIPO activities, external legal representation costs for any cases involving SIPO; consultancy costs; T&S; report design and printing. The costs of shared non-pay expenses incurred by the Vote (e.g. incidental expenses, cleaning, utilities, office machinery) are apportioned between programmes based on fixed percentages and are included in the above table.
272. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has fitted each Garda station custody suite with cell panic strip; and, if not, the estimated cost if the remaining Garda stations custody suites were fitted with cell panic strip. [2812/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) can confirm that panic strips are installed in each of the custody suites that have been upgraded since 2014 as part of the anti-ligature programme, a multi-annual programme to upgrade all Garda cells to an agreed anti-ligature standard.
The OPW is in communication with Garda Estate Management regarding the locations of custody suites remaining to be upgraded under this programme, and are working on a definitive list of active Garda custody suites so it is not possible to identify all those stations which are yet to be included in the programme.
The programme has been running since 2010 and the specifications were updated in 2014 to include a panic strip.
The panic strip layout will be specific to the individual project and the requirements will be specified in each individual tender, for inclusion in the overall price. The OPW would not be able to project the costs for this individual element of the programme.
273. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works has allocated money towards the repair and upkeep of Bunratty Castle, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2814/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) commissioned an architectural assessment report for Bunratty Castle in 2021. That report set out significant conservation works that would be required for the repair and upkeep of the Castle. This Office is not currently funded, within its voted allocation, for the repair and upkeep of Bunratty and I can confirm that no allocations have been made for this purpose in 2023.
However, as part of the Estimates Process for 2023, the OPW may seek specific additional funds for 2024 to cover maintenance, capital works and any additional staff requirements needed to undertake a programme of works identified in the aforementioned architectural assessment report.
274. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reinstate funding in order for a database (details supplied) to resume its work. [2849/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department previously provided grant funding to Benefacts between the period 2015-2022. The project was funded as a pathfinder initiative in the area of data analytics on the non-profit sector. Benefacts was initially co-funded with philanthropy, however, in recent years the Department had been providing the majority of funding to the entity.
In 2019, the Department received an independent report, which it commissioned to provide analysis of the market for data on the non-profit sector. This report examined, inter alia, issues around the demand for the data concerned; methodologies and technologies used; the potential for direct provision by the State of these services itself, and; the maturity of the market to provide these services efficiently. On foot of this report, a review was undertaken in 2020 which found that the business case for the continued funding of Benefacts by this Department was no longer justified and accordingly the decision was made to terminate funding.
Recognising that other public service bodies - with direct policy involvement in the not-for-profit sector - may have wished to consider whether they had an appreciable business case to continue funding Benefacts, my Department agreed to fund the initiative up to the end of 2021. This provision was made to facilitate relevant public service bodies to consider their position and to assess all options in relation to their respective business needs concerning data on the not-for-profit sector.
In April 2021, my Department reaffirmed its 2020 decision to the parties concerned. Furthermore, in acknowledgment of the impact of Covid-19 on this deliberative process, DPER sanctioned a final three month extension of funding to Benefacts up to the 31st March 2022. Despite affording a total period of approximately 20 months' notice - to allow the identification of another primary funder - no alternative funding source was identified from public service bodies that used Benefacts.
The factors influencing the original decision to terminate funding have not changed materially and, consequently, my Department has no plans to reinstate funding for Benefacts.
275. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when works will be carried out and completed on the River Thonogue, Ballylooby, Cahir, County Tipperary, following planning approval in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3011/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) 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 location concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the OPW.
I am informed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) who operate under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and who are leading in relation to this matter, that they have previously submitted a planning application to Tipperary County Council for works in the location referenced and that planning permission has not yet been granted. Any further queries in relation to this matter are best referred to Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
