Written Answers Nos. 68-87
68. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport being cognisant of the fact the population of Drogheda grew by 13% between 2016 and 2022, and with 25,000 new residents expected within a few years due to housing developments along the PANCR, what additional public transport resources are being considered for Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32940/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North. DART+ Coastal North will extend rail electrification to Drogheda.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Government approved a ten-year fleet framework agreement between Iarnród Éireann and Alstom in December 2021. This agreement allows for the purchase of up to 750 electric and battery-electric train carriages over the contract period.
Alongside approval of the framework in December 2021, the Government also gave specific approval for the first purchase under the framework of 30 electric carriages and 65 battery-electric rail carriages. The battery-electric carriages are expected to enter into service in 2025 to expand DART services on the Northern Line to Drogheda. This fleet will deliver more capacity and increased service frequency for commuters in advance of electrification of the line.
The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
Separately, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades to 2050, in line with net-zero commitments in both jurisdictions.
The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities including the potential for higher/high-speed, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This includes the role of rail freight.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation later in July. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and Government in the autumn, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the NI Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022 or relevant legislation in place at the time.
It is expected that the final Review will be published in the autumn of 2023.
69. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport what measures to alleviate traffic congestion, such as removing the slip road toll at Donore, are being considered whilst the Obelisk bridge at Oldbridge, is closed for repair and restoration from 1 August 2023 to 31 May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Department has provided funding to Louth County Council for essential rehabilitation works of the Obelisk Bridge in Drogheda. Implementation of the project and the associated traffic management measures are the responsibility of the Council.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
70. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a strategic project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32964/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
71. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he or his officials have had with the providers of charging points in relation to leaving the older-type charge points in place when new-type charge points are being installed (details supplied) given there are still vehicles that cannot get a fast charge at the new type-charge points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33026/23]
View answerThe expansion and upgrade of the public EV charging network is an effective way to help the transition to a zero and low emission vehicle fleet. It is important that the network is able to cater to as many vehicle types as possible, while also adhering to the latest technology standards in the EV market.
The EU has adopted the Combined Charging Standard, CCS, as the universally available plug type for fast charge points, as well as the Type 2 standard for normal charging.
Directive 2014/94/EU requires that all high-power DC charging points installed after November 18, 2017 must be equipped for interoperability purposes at least with CCS connectors, however the Directive does not prohibit the use of other types such as CHAdeMO in conjunction with CCS.
It is important to note that the decision on what additional connectors, if any, to install at a fast charge point is dictated by both the preferences of the installer and by market demand.
72. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33062/23]
View answerThe Department of Transport has 18 agencies in total, 12 commercial and 6 non-commercial which have either a CEO or Commissioner running the organisation.
All CEO/Commissioner contracts under the aegis of my department have terms and conditions based on sanction received from the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. All CEO salaries and benefits are published in the company’s Annual Report and Financial Statements in keeping with the Business and Financial Reporting requirements of the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Information on pay and other benefits as requested by the deputy is outlined in the table attached.
73. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he and the NTA will set out the policy in respect of domestic animals travelling on public transport with their owners; and if there are plans to review and/or amend the policy. [33102/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to domestic animals on public transport, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
74. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of instances in which his Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was used. [33166/23]
View answerGiven the time period covered, and the nature of the Deputy's request, it will require an extensive review of records to respond to this Question. My Department is currently in the process of compiling the information requested and will aim to forward this to the Deputy within 10 working days.
75. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if there are any circumstances where, in a joint mortgage application where one applicant is eligible for the help to buy scheme and one applicant is not, if the scheme can be availed of;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32994/23]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the HTB scheme. I am advised by Revenue section 477C (6) provides that a HTB claimant must make an application confirming he or she meets various conditions specified in the legislation, including that he or she is a first-time purchaser. Where there is more than one party to a HTB claim, the first-time purchaser condition applies to each party of the claim, therefore, where there are two people buying a new property and one of them is not a first-time buyer, the purchase is not eligible for the scheme.
Section 477C (1) defines the term “first-time purchaser” for the purposes of the HTB scheme as being “an individual who, at the time of making a claim under the scheme, has not, either individually or jointly with any other person, previously purchased or previously built, directly or indirectly, on his or her own behalf a dwelling”. Where more than one individual is involved in purchasing or building a qualifying residence, all of the individuals must be first-time purchasers.However, where a first-time purchaser is required to have a guarantor on the mortgage, there is no requirement for the guarantor to be a “first-time purchaser”, as defined above. The first-time purchaser will still be eligible for the scheme, provided all the other conditions are met.
76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if they have received the pre-Budget 2024 submission from a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32858/23]
View answerI can confirm the pre-Budget submission to which the Deputy refers was received Tuesday 27 June from a number of sources. All submissions are acknowledged by my department on receipt.
The contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget and the Deputy will be aware that it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
77. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance regarding the proposed increase in VAT to 13.5 % for the hospitality sector (details supplied) if he will give a commitment to maintain the current 9% VAT rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32903/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will recall, I extended the 9% VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sectors to 31 August 2023 from the previous end date of 28 February 2023. It will revert to the 13.5% VAT rate on 1 September 2023. The estimated cost of this measure is €300m. This extension strikes a balance between the cost to public finances and the provision of support for these sectors.
It is not intended to extend this 9% reduced rate for a further period. As you may know, officials from my Department compiled a ministerial briefing on a number of measures, including the temporary 9% VAT rate. This briefing included an economic assessment of the measure. This considered the macroeconomic backdrop to any extension of the 9% rate, noting that the economy has rebounded strongly from the pandemic and that economic activity is now above pre-pandemic levels. The briefing also noted that the reduced rate is both regressive and very costly, and that this cost represents a transfer from taxpayers to the sectors which it covers.
The Government accepted the Department’s economic assessment, which found that there was no longer an economic case for the temporary 9% rate, and, therefore, decided upon a reversion to the 13.5% VAT rate. Specifically, the Government decided that the 9% VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sectors will only apply until 31 August 2023. This decision was made in recognition of the employment provided in the sectors to which the 9% rate applies, as well as to give businesses a transition period to adapt to the changing economic and policy environment. Finally, the Government was cognisant of avoiding adding to upward pressure on prices while inflation remains so elevated.
78. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide clarification on a tax matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/23]
View answerFuture tax changes are generally taken in the context of the Budget. The Deputy will be aware that my officials prepare a series of papers containing tax options for the Tax Strategy Group to be considered in the context of the budgetary process, alongside a wide range of submissions from various stakeholders and lobby groups.
As the Deputy will also be aware, it is a longstanding practice that the Minister for Finance does not comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
79. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the pre-Budget 2024 submission from a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32955/23]
View answerIn advance of the Budget, as Minister for Finance I receive a large number of pre-budget submissions on a wide range of issues. All submissions are acknowledged by my Department on receipt.
I have not yet received a pre-Budget 2024 submission from the group to which the Deputy refers. The group invited me to a launch of the submission last week but I was unable to attend due to previous commitments.
80. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance the financial measures that are in place for older working people unable to secure a standard bank mortgage due to their age but unable to afford private renting once they retire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33033/23]
View answerPolicy on the public supports and measures to assist people, including older working people, with their housing needs, and also in relation to the provision of mortgages by local authorities, are in the first instance a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Specifically in relation to the provision of mortgages by Central Bank regulated entities, there are certain legal and regulatory requirements governing the provision of mortgage credit to consumers by such entities, including the Central Bank’s macro-prudential mortgage lending rules and relevant legislation and Central Bank’s regulatory codes.
For example, the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 (the Code) imposes ‘Knowing the Consumer and Suitability’ requirements on lenders. Under these requirements, lenders are required to assess the affordability of credit and the suitability of a product or service based on the individual circumstances of each borrower.
A regulated entity must gather and record sufficient information from the consumer prior to offering, recommending, arranging or providing a product or service appropriate to that consumer. The level of information gathered should be appropriate to the nature and complexity of the product or service being sought by the consumer, but must be to a level that allows the regulated entity to provide a professional service.
The information gathered must include details of the consumer’s needs and objectives, personal circumstances and their financial situation including, where relevant income, savings, financial products and other assets as well as debts and financial commitments.
Information on a person’s personal circumstances can include the following where relevant:
• age,
• health,
• knowledge and experience of financial products,
• dependents,
• employment status, and
• known future changes to his/her circumstances.
When assessing the suitability of a product or service for a consumer, the regulated entity must, at a minimum, consider and document whether, on the basis of the information gathered:
• the product or service meets that consumer’s needs and objectives,
• the consumer is likely to be able to meet the financial commitment associated with the product on an ongoing basis and is financially able to bear any risks attaching to the product or service,
• the consumer has the ability to repay the debt in the manner required under the credit agreement, on the basis of the outcome of the assessment of affordability, and
• the product or service is consistent with the consumer’s attitude to risk.
Furthermore, the European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016 (CMCAR) provide that before concluding a mortgage credit agreement, a lender must make a thorough assessment of the consumer’s creditworthiness. The assessment must take appropriate account of factors relevant to verifying the prospect of the consumer being able to meet his or her obligations under the credit agreement.
The CMCAR provide that a lender should only make credit available to a consumer where the result of the creditworthiness assessment indicates that the consumer’s obligations resulting from the credit agreement are likely to be met in the manner required under that agreement. The assessment of creditworthiness must be carried out on the basis of information on the consumer’s income and expenses and other financial and economic circumstances which is necessary, sufficient and proportionate.
Within this regulatory framework, and it can be noted that there is no specific age restriction on the provision of mortgages in that framework, and subject also to other relevant legal provisions governing the provision of services to individuals, lending policies and individual decisions on the provision of mortgages is a business and commercial matter for lenders.
Neither the Central Bank nor I have a role in such matters. However, if a lender refuses a mortgage application, the CMCAR provides that the lender must inform the consumer without delay of the refusal and the Code states that the lender must clearly outline to the consumer the reasons why the credit was not approved and provide these reasons in writing if requested.
More generally, the Central Bank has advised that it expects that all regulated entities to take a consumer-focused approach in respect of any decision that affects their customers and to communicate clearly, effectively, and in a timely manner with all customers.
If a consumer is not happy with the way a regulated entity is dealing with them, they should in the first instance make a formal complaint to that entity. If a consumer’s complaint is not resolved to their satisfaction through an internal complaints process, they can then seek recourse via the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO).
The FSPO will take on complaints once the financial services provider's internal complaints process has been exhausted.
Contact details for the FSPO are as follows:
• Address: The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Lincoln House, Lincoln Place, Dublin 2, D02 VH29;
• Tel: 01-567 7000;
• Email: info@fspo.ie ;
• Website: www.fspo.ie/.
81. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33051/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy as follows.
The Credit Union Advisory Committee was set up to advise the Minister for Finance in relation to credit union matters. It meets on a monthly basis in my Department, with Department officials providing a secretariat function. It does not have a full time chair or any full time employees.
The Credit Union Restructuring Board concluded its restructuring work on 31 March 2017. It was operationally wound down on 31 July 2017 and is awaiting final dissolution.
The Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) is a board of medical practitioners appointed by the Minister of Finance from a body of interested registered medical practitioners, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health. The DDMBA is currently not operational. When operational, the DDMBA has a defined role in respect of hearing appeals. The National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) provides clinical facilities and staffing (the Chair of the Board and the secretary of the Board) to facilitate the DDMBA in carrying out its remit, and costs incurred are reimbursed to the NRH annually by DFIN on receipt of relevant invoices from the NRH. The Chair of the Board is paid a salary in accordance with the HSE Consultant salary pay scale.
The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited is in advanced liquidation and has no employees.
The information in the below table was provided by the remaining bodies under my Department’s remit.
|
Body under Aegis of the Department of Finance & Title of head of Organisation |
2020 Pay |
2021 Pay |
2022 Pay |
2023 Pay to date |
Other benefits/payments/bonuses/ BIK from 2020 to 2023 to date- |
|
Central Bank of Ireland-Governor of the Central Bank |
€288,224 |
€293,257 |
€307,108 |
€157,286 |
The Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland has not been paid any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind. The Governor has been refunded for travel expenses in compliance with the standard Central Bank policy. The Governor is a member of the Central Bank of Ireland Superannuation (Defined Benefit) Pension scheme with standard entitlements. |
|
Credit Review Office – Head of Credit Review |
€65,000 |
John Trethowan -€45,000Catherine Collins-€32,514.53 |
€101,247.16 |
€57,341.48 |
The below amounts refer to expenses i.e. travel and parking.2020: €398.342021: €474.88 (€293.54 for John Trethowan and €181.34 for Catherine Collins)2022: €185.102023 to date: €112.24 |
|
*Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman |
€160,643 |
€163,313 |
Ger Deering -€16,272 Mary Rose McGovern -€138,822 Liam Sloyan -€14,418 |
€87,664 |
Nil |
|
Home Building Finance Ireland – Chief Executive Officer |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€250,000 |
€125,000 |
The below amounts include car allowance and private health insurance.2020: €19,000 2021: €19,000 2022: €19,000 2023 to date: €9,000 |
|
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal – Chairperson |
€7,008 |
€7,008 |
€7,008 |
€2,152 |
Nil |
|
*Irish Fiscal Advisory Council – Chief Economist/Head of Secretariat |
€98,573 |
€104,300 |
€102,494 |
€56,324 |
Nil |
|
Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) – Chief Operations Officer (COO) |
€127,461 |
€129,684 |
€135,812 |
€69,556 |
The COO is an employee of the Central Bank of Ireland, assigned to the role of COO in the ICCL and as such has not been paid any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind. The COO is a member of the Central Bank of Ireland Superannuation (Defined Benefit) Pension scheme with standard entitlements. |
|
National Asset Management Agency – Chief Executive Officer |
€430,000 |
€430,000 |
€430,000 |
€215,000 |
The below amounts include company car, reimbursement of professional subscriptions and private health insurance.2020: €19,246 2021: €20,463 2022: €23,150 2023 to date: €9,000 |
|
**National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA)– Chief Executive |
€480,000 |
€480,000 |
Conor O’Kelly €294,000 and Frank O’Connor €240,000 (Salary figure of €294,000 in 2022 includes base salary and annual leave accrued and owed which was paid upon completion of term) |
€240,000 |
The below amounts listed for both NTMA CEOs relate to private health insurance premiums.2020: €4,000 2021: €4,0002022: €4,000 - (€2,000 for Conor O’Kelly and €2,000 for Frank O’Connor)€2,000 for 2023 to date |
|
Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General – Secretary and Director of Audit |
€159,917.59 |
€162,732.68 |
€170,256.95 |
€93,986.29 |
The below payments are for the Chartered Accountants of Ireland membership fee. 2020: €582 2021: €582 2022: €594 2023 to date: €183.48 |
|
Office of the Revenue Commissioners – Chairperson |
€197,448.44 |
€200,923.76 |
€213,056.21 |
€121,513.36 |
Nil |
|
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland – Chief Executive Officer |
€250,000 |
Nick Ashmore -€31,000 Ian Black -€135,000June Butler -€83,000 |
€250,000 |
€125,000 |
The below amounts include car allowance, reimbursement of professional subscriptions and private health insurance. A performance related payment of €30,000 was paid in 2023 relating to performance in 2022. This is included in the 2022 benefits below. 2020: €24,0002021: €27,000 (3,000 for Nick Ashmore, €17,000 for Ian Black, €7,000 for June Butler)2022: €52,000 2023 to date: €13,000 |
|
Tax Appeals Commission –Chairperson |
€91,589-(Commenced employment on 1 July 2020) |
€186,626 |
€195,256 |
€98,797 |
Nil |
*In addition the Financial Services & Pensions Ombudsman and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council have advised that their heads of organisation are members of a Pension scheme.
** The National Treasury Management Agency assigns staff to Home Building Finance Ireland (HBFI), the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). Contributions to retirement schemes are not included. All of this information is available in the public domain in each of the bodies’ Annual Reports for the years 2020-2022. The 2022 Annual Reports of the NTMA and SBCI are to be published shortly.
82. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the number of instances in which his Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was used. [33155/23]
View answerThis situation has not arisen in my Department, all software used is licenced.
83. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide a full list of the individual projects funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund by Department; the amount of funding given in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32875/23]
View answerThe European Union’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial, and environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
Initially €5.47 billion was allocated to the reserve while Ireland’s initial allocation was €1.165 billion. Since the BAR regulation came into force in October 2021, the Government has, over a series of budgets, allocated BAR funding across a number of impacted sectors in order to mitigate those adverse effects of Brexit and to adapt to regulatory changes. The Government has made significant allocations across a range of sectors, both before the Regulation came into effect and afterwards. In order to be eligible for BAR funding, the expenditure must fall within the BAR eligibility period for expenditure which runs from the 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2023. Specific BAR funding of €389 million was provided in Budgets 2022 and 2023 across a number of sectors. This was allocated as follows:
|
Department |
€m |
|
Agriculture |
271 |
|
Enterprise |
15 |
|
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
37.3 |
|
Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform |
4.4 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
2.2 |
|
Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media |
7.75 |
|
Environment Climate and Communications |
24 |
|
Health |
5.5 |
|
Justice |
21.5 |
|
Transport |
0.1 |
|
Total |
389 |
Following agreement to transfer €150 million to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Ireland’s allocation from the reserve will be €1.015 billion. Ireland’s allocation now represents approximately 30 per cent of the overall BAR fund, following transfers by other Member States to their National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
Officials in my Department are currently engaging in a review exercise of Brexit related spending, from the 1st of January 2020 to the end of December 2023, for possible inclusion in Ireland’s BAR claim to the EU Commission in September 2024. This involves engaging with Departments on expenditure since 2020 outside of that allocated under Budgets 2022 and 2023 which may qualify for inclusion in the BAR claim. A figure of approximately €0.7 billion has been identified in this regard. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Revenue are likely to account for a significant amount of that €0.7 billion figure. It should be noted that, in addition to all of the above, the Government also provided significant funding to prepare for Brexit prior to the BAR eligibility period.
The exact composition of Ireland's BAR claim will not be finalised until the claim is submitted in September 2024. My Department continues to review and assess all spending identified as Brexit-related for inclusion in the final BAR claim. As this work is ongoing, and as further funding can be considered for allocation during the remaining months of 2023, it is not possible at this time to confirm individual projects or final amounts of expenditure in any sector that will be included in the BAR claim.
84. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the case of a housing estate (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32905/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW), through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, carried out the largest ever flood risk study in Ireland to date, which assessed 80% of properties at risk from Ireland’s main causes of flooding. The OPW Flood Maps, that show the flood risk for 300 communities, are a key output of the study together with 29 Flood Risk Management Plans, with the proposed flood relief measures to address the flood risk in each community.
The Flood Maps are available to the public at www.floodinfo.ie however, it is important to note that they are community based maps. The maps were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. Therefore they do not show individual properties and they do not identify if a property close to an extent is, or is not, within an area at risk of flooding. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on future projections.
The Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of OPW Flood Maps on www.floodinfo.ie includes a provision that users of the website must not use the Flood Maps, or any other content of the website for commercial purposes. As such, the Disclaimer prevents insurance companies from using the flood maps generated by the OPW. The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. It has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW Flood Maps to inform its flood modelling. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis. The Government cannot interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).
The flood mapping that was produced for Kilcock through the CFRAM Programme is under review as part of the OPW’s Map Review Programme. Development in Kilcock has re-aligned the River Rye and its floodplains since the mapping was initially produced.
The OPW is awaiting completion of development in the Millerstown area of Kilcock prior to carrying out topographical surveys and computational modelling to produce updated predictive flood maps. To ensure that the flood maps fully reflect the changes on the ground, the flood map review cannot progress until the development is complete.
The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance. The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. This Memorandum sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. While the Memorandum does not guarantee the availability of insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas.
Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01 567 7000.
85. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the names of travel agents currently on the Office of Government Procurement muti-supplier framework for the provision of travel services in public bodies. [32928/23]
View answerThe Framework Agreement for the provision of Travel Management and Ancillary Services has two members, Club Travel Limited and World Travel Centre Ltd. t/a Selective Travel Management.
86. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33057/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the tables below.
Office of Public Works – Chairman
|
Pay Scale* |
Year Received |
Benefits |
Loyalty Payments / Bonuses |
|
Civil Service Secretary General Level III pay scale |
2023 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Civil Service Secretary General Level III pay scale |
2022 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Civil Service Secretary General Level III pay scale |
2021 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Civil Service Secretary General Level III pay scale |
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
* Civil Service Secretary General Level III: €216,000
National Shared Services Office – Chief Executive Officer
|
Pay Scale* |
Year Received |
Benefits |
Loyalty Payments / Bonuses |
|
Deputy Secretary General pay scale |
2023 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Deputy Secretary General pay scale |
2022 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Deputy Secretary General pay scale |
2021 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Deputy Secretary General pay scale |
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
* Deputy Secretary (PPC): €199,040
Public Appointments Service – Chief Executive Officer
|
Pay Scale* |
Year Received |
Benefits |
Loyalty Payments / Bonuses |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2023 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2022 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2021 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
* Assistant Secretary (PPC) scale: €154,160 €161,166 €168,760 €176,350
Office of the Ombudsman – Director General
|
Pay Scale* |
Year Received |
Benefits |
Loyalty Payments / Bonuses |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2023 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2022 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2021 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Assistant Secretary (PPC) pay scale |
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
* Assistant Secretary (PPC) scale: €154,160 €161,166 €168,760 €176,350
Office of the State Laboratory – State Chemist
|
Pay Scale* |
Year Received |
Benefits |
Loyalty Payments / Bonuses |
|
State Chemist (PPC) pay scale |
2023 |
PCW Allowance - 0 |
Nil |
|
State Chemist (PPC) pay scale |
2022 |
PCW Allowance - €719 |
Nil |
|
State Chemist (PPC) pay scale |
2021 |
PCW Allowance - €1,251 |
Nil |
|
State Chemist (PPC) pay scale |
2020 |
PCW Allowance - €1,272 |
Nil |
* State Chemist (PPC) Scale: €129,351 €132,372 €135,424 €137,611 €142,015 (LSI1) €146,417 (LSI2)
Office of the National Lottery Regulator – Regulator of the National Lottery
|
Pay Scale* |
Year Received |
Benefits |
Loyalty Payments / Bonuses |
|
Director Grade pay scale |
2023 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Director Grade pay scale |
2022 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Director Grade pay scale |
2021 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Director Grade pay scale |
2020 |
Nil |
Nil |
* Director Grade Scale (PO1 + Director Allowance) (Non-PCC) €113,027 €117,127 €121,238 €125,338 €128,840 €132,530 €136,215
87. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of instances in which his Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was used. [33161/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for her question and inform her that the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the division within my Department with responsibility for providing IT services to the Department, has confirmed that they have had no instances in the last ten years where they used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software.
