Written Answers Nos. 347-351
347. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the quantity of cigarette packs containing 20 cigarettes sold in each of the past ten years; and the quantity of cigarette packs sold containing more than 20 cigarettes, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [13963/23]
View answerI am informed by Revenue that it does not collect information regarding the specific date of sale of cigarette packs. However, based on tobacco product stamp returns it can determine the numbers of cigarette packets assembled for sale in the State in a given year. This data is provided in the table below in respect of the 10-year period requested by the Deputy.
|
Year |
20 Pack (000’s) |
> 20 Pack (000’s) |
Total Pack (000s) |
|
2013 |
142,231 |
15,344 |
157,575 |
|
2014 |
142,193 |
13,288 |
155,481 |
|
2015 |
143,129 |
16,992 |
160,121 |
|
2016 |
118,385 |
21,190 |
139,576 |
|
2017 |
141,537 |
27,156 |
168,693 |
|
2018 |
69,111 |
14,826 |
83,937 |
|
2019 |
88,322 |
23,440 |
111,762 |
|
2020 |
101,446 |
21,547 |
122,993 |
|
2021 |
84,365 |
25,403 |
109,768 |
|
2022 |
69,287 |
18,375 |
87,662 |
348. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12274/23]
View answerVirement of funding between subheads within a Vote is provided for in the Public Financial Procedures and is typically used to meet expenditure pressures in one subhead through savings in another, subject to the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
There are five Votes within my Department, of which three required a virement for 2022. Virement was sought by each individual Vote from the relevant section of the Department and was formally approved for the three Votes on 16 March, 2023.
The Department’s Vote had a total virement of €1.189 million for 2022, which constitutes 2.4% of the gross estimate for the year 2022 of €49.43 million. The most significant virement was for pensions for bodies under the aegis of the Department (€355,014), which was required as it is challenging for these bodies to accurately estimate pensions and lump sums given staff may retire with 30 days’ notice. A further virement of €323,608 was made to Asset and Equipment Expenses and was mainly utilised to pay for the development and enhancement of EU systems, which will support the timely drawdown of EU funds. The remaining virements were for smaller sums and a number were the result of an internal reorganisation of the Department during 2022.
The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) Vote had a total virement of €0.739 million, which constitutes 1.7% of the gross estimate for 2022 of €43.47 million. This was mainly to supplement its teams with contractors while vacancies were filled and ensured that the OGCIO had continuing capability and capacity to deliver its ICT services.
The Superannuation and Retired Allowances Vote had a total virement of €1.127 million, which constitutes 0.14% of the gross estimate for 2022 of €707.62 million. This was needed due to a higher number of pension payments than forecast from the Civil Service Spouses' and Children's Contributory Pension Scheme and in respect of unestablished Civil Servants.
The full detail requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below.
Vote 11 – Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (2022 Virements)
|
From non-pay |
A.2.1.1.1 Travel and Subsistence €6,282.89A.2.4.1.1 Operating Expenses €108,195.55 A.6.1.2.1 SEUPB North-South Programmes €436,099.98 A.8.1.2.1 Consultancy and Other Services €22,866.07B.7.1.2.1 Reform Agenda €132,008.18B.10.1.1.1 Civil Service Learning and Development Programme €71,582.09B.11.1.1.1 Single Public Service Pension Administration Project €71,342.88Total €848,377.64 |
|
To non-pay |
A.2.3.1.1 Professional, Consultancy and Other Services €20,671.05A.2.5.1.1 Asset and Equipment Expenses €53,965.73A.2.6.1.1 Premises and Accommodation Expenses €55,276.10 A.2.7.1.1 Communication and Marketing Expenses €1,148.74A.4.1.2.1 Structural Funds Technical Assistance and Other Costs €87,168.65A.9.1.1.1 Pensions For Bodies Under the Aegis of the Department €355,214.22B.2.2.1.1 Training and Development €76,197.70B.2.3.1.1 Professional, Consultancy and Other Services €24,364.80B.2.5.1.1 Asset and Equipment Expenses €46,444.73B.2.6.1.1 Premises and Accommodation Expenses €56,583.04B.5.1.1.1 Consultancy and Other Services €71,342.88Total €848,377.64 |
|
From Pay |
B.7.1.1.1 Reform Agenda €17,054.84Total €17,054.84 |
|
To Pay |
B.5.1.2.1 Consultancy and Other Services €17,054.84Total €17,054.84 |
|
From Capital |
B.2.5.2.1 Asset and Equipment Expenses €309,500.00B.10.1.2.1 Civil Service Learning and Development Programme €14,108.02Total €323,608.02 |
|
To Capital |
A.2.5.2.1 Asset and Equipment Expenses €323,608.02Total €323,608.02 |
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (2022 Virements)
|
From Pay |
Admin (i) Admin Pay €592,815.47Total €592,815.47 |
|
To Non-pay |
A.3 Government ICT Services Non-Pay €592,815.47Total €592,815.47 |
|
From Admin Non-Pay |
Admin (viii) Communication and Marketing Expenses €141,567.01Total €141,567.01 |
|
To Admin Non-Pay |
Admin (iv) Professional Consultancy and Other Services €141,567.01Total €141,567.01 |
|
From Admin Non-Pay |
Admin (viii) Communication and Marketing Expenses €5,224.73Total €5,224.73 |
|
To Admin Non-Pay |
Admin (v) Operating Expenses €5,224.73Total €5,224.73 |
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (2022 Virements)
|
From Pensions |
A.4 – Additional allowances and gratuities in respect of Established Officers and payments in respect of transferred service €1,126,865.53Total €1,126,865.53 |
|
To Pensions |
A.2 - Payments under the contributory pensions schemes for spouses and children of civil servants, members of the judiciary and court officers €446,007.61A.5 – Pensions, allowances and gratuities in respect of unestablished officers and their spouses and children and other pensions and payments in respect of transferred service €680,857.92Total €1,126,865.53 |
349. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount by which the Department of Health has overpaid rent for its premises on Baggot Street; the estimated projected cost of the miscalculation of square footage over the course of the next decade; if attempts have been made to recoup the overpayments; if those attempts have been successful; the costs associated with those attempts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12335/23]
View answerThe rent being paid by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) in respect of the offices at Block 1, Miesian Plaza is in accordance with the terms of the lease.
The terms agreed for the lease were negotiated on the basis of net internal area (NIA - SCSI Measuring Practice Guidance Notes) which is the norm in Dublin City rental negotiations. However a new measurement standard, International Property Measurement Standard (IPMS3), was introduced in February 2016 when the lease terms were already substantially agreed. The OPW has acknowledged that the annual rent should have been recalibrated as a result of the new measurement. However, this did not happen and the larger IPMS3 measurement was used as the basis for the calculation of rent. The impact of this was €279,827 plus VAT per annum. When the issue was identified the OPW engaged with the Landlord to mitigate the effect of this issue in a manner that would be acceptable to both parties.
As a result of lengthy, complex and intensive engagement, at a very senior level, between the OPW and the Landlord, the parties have agreed to extend the lease on Miesian Plaza by a period of 9 months at a nominal rent of €10 per annum, which is effectively rent free. A Deed of Variation has now been finalised to give effect to this agreement. The OPW incurred costs of €4,500 ex VAT in respect of financial analysis of the agreement reached.
The OPW considers the agreement reached to be the best possible outcome achievable for the taxpayer in all the circumstances.
350. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the role his Department has in sanctioning or approving the spending of public funds on road building projects; if he will list any such projects that have been approved in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12368/23]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery & Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall multi-annual capital expenditure ceilings for each Ministerial Vote Group as set out in the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.
My Department is also responsible for maintaining the national frameworks within which Departments must operate to ensure that public funding is appropriately accounted for and that value for money for public expenditure is achieved. The Public Spending Code sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing capital projects. Management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
My Department is not responsible for the sanctioning or approving of specific roads projects.
351. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if funding is available from the OPW to repair a bridge (details supplied), considering it is a key heritage, cultural and tourism point and meeting point for the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12417/23]
View answerThis is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
