Written Answers Nos. 425-442
425. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank can direct a financial institution (details supplied) to increase interest rates on savings in line with increase rate increases on tracker mortgages. [18265/23]
View answer426. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance what, if any action he is considering to require financial institutions to increase interest rates paid on savings in line with the increases in mortgage interest rate increases associated with tracker mortgages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18266/23]
View answer427. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Finance the minimum notice period required to increase an interest rate on a tracker mortgage; and if it is correct protocol that a mortgage lender (details supplied) would give nine working days' notice of an interest rate increase in the same month. [18267/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 425, 426 and 427 together.
The formulation and implementation of monetary policy is an independent matter for the European Central Bank (ECB). As the Deputy is aware, the ECB has increased official interest rates over recent months as it attempts to combat inflation. The level of official interest rates will influence the overall level of interest rates throughout the economy.
However, the determination and adjustment of retail and business lending rates and deposit rates are commercial decisions for individual lenders in line with the terms of the particular credit or savings contract and I have no function or role in such decision making matters by financial institutions.
Firms make their own commercial decisions based on many factors, including the costs of offering the loan or deposit products, the terms and conditions of their products and their commercial pricing strategy and funding costs. These are commercial decisions for individual banks and neither the Central Bank nor I have a role in prescribing or setting these interest rates.
The changes in the interest rate on a tracker mortgage are determined by any movement in the underlying rate being tracked (typically the interest rate set by the European Central Bank) and, in line with the terms and conditions of the mortgage contract, these changes are applied to tracker mortgages customers by their lenders. This approach applies to all tracker mortgage customers including those that have remained with the original lender and to borrowers whose tracker mortgages were purchased by another entity.
A regulated entity must notify affected personal consumers on paper or on another durable medium of any change in the interest rate on a loan.
In the case of a tracker interest rate, the regulated entity must provide the notification required as soon as possible, and no later than 10 business days after the regulated entity becomes aware of a change in the underlying rate being tracked.
428. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the number of loans provided by an organisation (details supplied) to developers for social and private residential developments in each county since it was established in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18335/23]
View answerTo 31 December 2022, HBFI has approved 99 facilities across 21 counties. HBFI publishes regular updates on its funding to date on its website at www.hbfi.ie/data-protection-notice/about-hbfi/hbfi-data
A summary of number of facilities approved by county, including by tenure, is provided below:
|
Location of Approved Units |
PRS |
Part V |
Social & Affordable |
Private Sales |
Grand Total |
% Units |
Number of Facilities |
|
|
Carlow |
- |
- |
22 |
- |
22 |
0% |
1 |
|
|
Cavan |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0% |
- |
|
|
Clare |
- |
- |
19 |
11 |
30 |
1% |
2 |
|
|
Cork |
- |
65 |
81 |
614 |
760 |
13% |
18 |
|
|
Donegal |
- |
5 |
24 |
53 |
82 |
1% |
2 |
|
|
Dublin |
1,160 |
62 |
411 |
162 |
1,795 |
31% |
16 |
|
|
Galway |
- |
15 |
52 |
129 |
196 |
3% |
4 |
|
|
Kerry |
- |
- |
151 |
24 |
175 |
3% |
4 |
|
|
Kildare |
- |
45 |
89 |
402 |
536 |
9% |
7 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
- |
11 |
- |
102 |
113 |
2% |
1 |
|
|
Laois |
- |
6 |
70 |
40 |
116 |
2% |
3 |
|
|
Leitrim |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0% |
- |
|
|
Limerick |
- |
- |
- |
76 |
76 |
1% |
1 |
|
|
Longford |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0% |
- |
|
|
Louth |
- |
2 |
247 |
217 |
466 |
8% |
9 |
|
|
Mayo |
- |
4 |
46 |
42 |
92 |
2% |
5 |
|
|
Meath |
- |
27 |
50 |
440 |
517 |
9% |
9 |
|
|
Monaghan |
- |
- |
12 |
- |
12 |
0% |
1 |
|
|
Offaly |
- |
16 |
8 |
119 |
143 |
3% |
5 |
|
|
Roscommon |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0% |
- |
|
|
Sligo |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
0% |
- |
|
|
Tipperary |
- |
3 |
29 |
- |
32 |
1% |
1 |
|
|
Waterford |
- |
- |
19 |
25 |
44 |
1% |
2 |
|
|
Westmeath |
- |
- |
14 |
- |
14 |
0% |
1 |
|
|
Wexford |
- |
- |
70 |
- |
70 |
1% |
3 |
|
|
Wicklow |
- |
3 |
- |
423 |
426 |
7% |
4 |
|
|
Total Units |
1,160 |
264 |
1,414 |
2,879 |
5,717 |
100% |
99 |
429. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update in relation to a scheme (details supplied); when this scheme initially commenced; the timeline for the progression of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16054/23]
View answer430. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the environmental assessments have been completed for a scheme (details supplied); when a decision will be made to confirm the scheme; when work will actually commence on this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16055/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together.
Details of the environmental impact assessments carried out by the OPW can be found on the floodinfo.ie website. The scheme has been submitted to my Department seeking consent for these works under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995 as amended.
An initial round of public consultation was held beginning on the 1st December 2020 and concluding on the 11th January 2021. Following this period of public consultation, my Department sought additional information regarding the scheme from the Office of Public Works. The OPW provided this information to my Department in July 2021.
A further period of public consultation was then required and this took place over the period from the 6th May 2022 to the 1st July 2022. My Department has retained independent environmental consultants to review the submissions received during the consultation and to carry out any necessary environmental assessments as required by EU Directives 2011/92 and 2014/52.
Under Section 7E(4) the Minister shall ensure that he access to sufficient expertise to examine an environmental impact assessment report. In light of this requirements consultants were appointed to provide this expertise.
My Department has been advised by the relevant consultants that this work is due to be completed in the coming weeks. On completion, I expect to receive a recommendation on whether to confirm the scheme in accordance with Section 7E(1) of the amended Act. It is my expectation that I will receive this recommendation in Q2 of this year. Under Section 7E(1) of the amended act it is open to me to:
(a) make an order confirming the scheme, (b) refuse to confirm the scheme, or (c) refer the scheme back to the Commissioners of Public Works for revision in specified respects.
In regards timelines of when works will commence on the scheme, it would not be appropriate to prescribe a timeline at this stage as to do so would be to pre-empt the outcome of the consent process.
431. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the OPW Jamestown Road workshop, its current utilisation and future utilisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16089/23]
View answerThe property at Jamestown Road, Dublin, comprising an area of 7.1 acres, is currently used by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as a Building Maintenance Services (BMS) Metalworks Workshop and for the storage of furniture, archaeological salvage and events items. The property is registered to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW).
In 2006, the ownership of the site was transferred to Dublin City Council (DCC) with a view to developing it for social and affordable housing. Following the completion of site investigations, the housing development did not take place. This was primarily due to ground conditions on the site arising from its historic use as an engineering workshop; and the site subsequently reverted to the Commissioners of Public Works in 2018. The OPW's operations continued on the site throughout the change of ownership.
More recently, the site has been identified for inclusion in a significant housing development by the Land Development Agency (LDA) of the lands around the site. Discussions are ongoing between the OPW and the LDA as well as with the other semi-State owners of the adjacent lands. The future long-term development plans will require advance re-location of the OPW operations currently on the site.
432. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update with respect to a claim made by a business (details supplied) in County Cork to the OPW following flood damages in February 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16505/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works commenced construction of the Fermoy North flood relief scheme in 2009, and the scheme was completed in 2011. The Scheme comprises grass embankments, permanent walls and demountable flood barriers, and pumping stations, and is designed to protect 77 properties on the north side of Fermoy against the 1-in-100-year flood event. Damages avoided in such an event are in the order of €18m.
Cork Co. Council carries out the Operation and Maintenance of the Fermoy North scheme on behalf of the Office Public Works (OPW), the Contracting Authority. An OPW-developed Flood Early Warning System (FEWS), which is used for both the towns of Fermoy and Mallow, is operated by Cork County Council staff in Mallow. Upon receipt of a flood warning, Local Authority staff erect the substantial demountable defences on the completed scheme on the north side of Fermoy.
The flood event which occurred in Fermoy on the morning of the 24th February 2021 led to three properties flooding at Brian Ború Square and flooding of the Town Park area, although no properties flooded there.
The Office of Public Works has received claims for compensation from those whose businesses or premises experienced flooding in Fermoy on 24th February 2021. The claims are currently under consideration.
433. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16565/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that one member of staff of my Department is assigned to the post of Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Attaché in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels. The role of the Attaché is to represent and promote Ireland’s interests in the policy areas under the remit of the Department, including Cohesion policy and funding, public procurement, e-government, transparency, and EU institutional staffing matters.
In addition, two members of DPENDPDR staff are currently seconded out to the European Commission under the terms of the Seconded National Experts scheme that provides civil servants with the opportunity to work temporarily for an EU Institution. One is located in the DG HR in Brussels and one is located in the DG CNECT in Luxembourg.
There are currently no vacant posts working with the European Union in Brussels linked with my Department.
434. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to set out the guidelines or criteria that determine allocation and the allocation process of OPW lodges in the Phoenix Park for rental purposes. [16595/23]
View answer435. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to confirm how many persons are on the waiting list for OPW lodges in the Phoenix Park. [16596/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.
The Commissioners own or manage a limited number of residential properties, primarily within national parks or historic estates. It is the policy of the Office of Public Works (OPW) that clear criteria must be deployed when identifying persons suitable for holding a tenancy in a residential property owned or controlled by the Commissioners of Public Work in Ireland (CPW).
Such residential properties are considered for allocation based on the following ranked criteria:
a) The residential property is an official residence of a designated office holder.
b) The occupation of the residential property is an intrinsic part of an OPW staff member’s job and covered within the terms and conditions of their job description. e.g. Caretaker, Deerkeeper, Housekeeper, Gardener, Security etc.
c) The occupation of the specific residential property is an intrinsic part of another OPW client’s staff member’s job and covered within the terms and conditions of their job description. e.g. Caretaker, Housekeeper, Gardener, Security etc.
d) The granting of residential accommodation is in part-exchange for services that the OPW would otherwise have to retain at its own cost.
e) The residential accommodation is used for the short-term housing of visiting students or guests that would otherwise have to be accommodated at the cost of the OPW.
f) The residential accommodation is leased to the Irish Landmark Trust for onward, short term letting to tenants under agreed terms and conditions.
Officials in my Department have informed me that they do not hold or maintain a waiting list for the allocation of lodges in the Phoenix Park.
436. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to confirm how many vacant OPW lodges there are in the OPW; and when they will be due to be allocated. [16597/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department are currently collating the information requested and it will be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
437. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the mechanisms available to the public where they are of the opinion that the Public Appointments Service have not complied with statutory regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16636/23]
View answerI am informed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) that recruitment to the civil service and a range of other public bodies operates under the provisions of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Acts, 2004 to 2013. PAS operates under licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) and is independent in its operations. In carrying out its recruitment and selection processes, it complies with the Codes of Practice published by the CPSA, which ensure that fair and open processes are in place. Where the Codes do not apply, it adheres to the same core principles in carrying out its functions.
The CPSA, established under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, is the principal regulator of recruitment and selection processes within the public service. It has a statutory role to ensure that appointments in the organisations subject to its remit (that is, those that fall under the authority and scope of the Commission) are made on candidates’ merit and as the result of fair and transparent appointment processes.
Its primary role is to ensure probity and fairness are at the heart of public service recruitment. While the CPSA can deal with complaints from candidates about selection processes they have participated in, it does not undertake recruitment itself and therefore has no direct responsibility for the operation of any particular recruitment process, including the timeliness of any such process.
PAS has established an internal Compliance Unit (independent of the recruitment and selection processes) with responsibility for carrying out reviews and examining complaints under Section 7 and 8 of the CPSA Code of Practice and apply similar standards for reviews of processes where the Codes do not apply. Where someone is still unhappy with their response to a complaint, they can take the matter to the CPSA under the Section 8 Complaints Process as outlined in the CPSA Code of Practice.
Where a member of the public believes PAS has breached non-recruitment related statutory regulations, the complaint can be made to the CEO of PAS, the Chairman of the Board of PAS or to the Department for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
438. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the Blackpool flood relief scheme in Cork; if revised plans are being prepared; if a date has been agreed for further public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16652/23]
View answerFollowing the outcome of Judicial Review proceedings regarding the consenting of the River Bride Flood Relief Scheme, my Department sought supplementary information from the Office of Public Works in February 2022. The OPW submitted supplementary information to my Department in October 2022. A copy of this information can be found on the scheme website at floodinfo.ie.
It is my intention to commence a further period of public consultation on this scheme as provided for by the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019 in Q2 of this year.
439. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the Govtech Delivery Board, first suggested in 2019 in the National AI strategy, as such a board was identified as a key supporter of good practice in the public sector deployment of new technologies. [16424/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that, following discussions between my officials and those of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, which was established by the previous Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation and created to support the government in driving the digitalisation of enterprise across Ireland, will act in an advisory capacity in relation GovTech development in addition to its existing work. The Forum’s work will now include advising on the actions in the GovTech Priority Action Plan which include:
1. Government should seek to facilitate the re-use of Government Assets where lawful and feasible.
2. Government should review the Government business development funding frameworks to identify any gaps or opportunities for further cohesion, with a view to reviewing how the model can be better communicated to, and understood by, its target audience.
3. Government should develop a more cohesive life-long digital talent development model covering all life stages, from pre-school age to retirement and all levels of competence from service user, to systems developer and systems architect.
4. Government should seek to develop procurement solutions, which fully comply with EU legislation, to enable easier access for new market entrants to conduct business with Government.
5. Government should drive GovTech by being an exemplar in the delivery of digital services, the continuous development of employee skills and the adoption of innovation.
6. Government should actively engage with all sectors of society to ensure GovTech is fully inclusive and addresses the main societal obstacles to digital participation.
7. Government should create an appropriate GovTech Governance structure.
8. Government should create a GovTech branding model, which will be available to all contributors.
440. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if providing advice and a set of best practice guidelines on data protection be part of the role of the Govtech Delivery Board, given that, in the 2019 Cruinniú report that proposed the Govtech body, the lack of expertise on GDPR in public sector bodies was identified as a barrier to deployment of new technologies. [16426/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the report of Cruinniú GovTech 2019 represents the views of those who attended that Cruinniú. Since then my colleague, the previous Minister for Public Expenditure National Development Plan Delivery and Reform established the Data Governance Board, under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019. The Board leads on setting and overseeing best practice in data sharing and utilisation across government, including adherence to the Data Protection Act and GDPR.
The Board is independent in the performance of its functions with support provided by the Data Governance Unit in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. The Board’s clearly defined set of legal powers and obligations under the Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 include:
• advising me on the introduction of data management standards and guidelines;
• promoting and reporting on compliance with standards and guidelines;
• advising me on the prohibition of collection of certain data by public bodies;
• advising me on directing public bodies to share data under the Act;
• advising me on the designation and operation of base registries;
• reviewing all data sharing agreements under the Act.
The Data Governance Board is chaired by the Government Chief Information Officer, and details of its current membership are available on the State Boards website.
441. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform given the skills gap in AI identified by the Future Skills report last year, if the monitoring and support of public sector projects which utilise AI will be part of the responsibility of the Govtech delivery Board. [16428/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that, following discussions between my officials and those of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum will act in an advisory capacity in relation GovTech development in addition to its existing work. The Forum, which was established by the previous Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation and created to support the government in driving the digitalisation of enterprise across Ireland.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs published a report on AI Skills in June 2022. The report made ten specific recommendations and the Labour Market and Skills Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has established an Implementation Group to oversee their implementation. The Group consists of representatives from the organisations named in the report as responsible for delivering the recommendations, and has met once to date, in January 2023. Significant progress has been made already on many of the recommendations. The Group will meet again to review progress before the end of the year. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has also convened a Working Group on Trustworthy AI Principles and Guidelines. This group brings together experts in the area of AI, with representatives of Government Departments and state bodies, with a view to agreeing an accessible set of principles for the deployment of trustworthy and ethical AI in the public sector. The group is considering the ways in which it can best help decision makers in the Public Service to make informed decisions on the use and deployment of AI.
442. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware that Govtech boards in some states, for example Singapore, have a role in developing 'whole of government' technologies, and employ substantial technical resources to this end; and if this is perceived as part of the terms of reference of the Irish Govtech Delivery Board. [16430/23]
View answerWhile the main priorities for GovTech were set out in the 2019 Cruinniú GovTech Report, it is the intention that the Enterprise Digital Advisory Forum, established on foot of the national AI strategy by the previous Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, will act in an advisory capacity in relation to GovTech in addition to its existing work. This will include the continuing implementation of enterprise elements of the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework and the GovTech elements of Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service, both of which were published in 2022.
