Written Answers Nos. 351-365
351. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of external consultant reports commissioned by the bodies under his Department's aegis in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35980/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the bodies under the aegis of my Department from 2020 to date is set out in the tables below.
I have been advised that the Office of Public Works and the Public Appointments Service will reply directly to the Deputy.
|
Public Body |
Service Provider |
Title of Report |
Date of Completion / Publication |
Cost |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
Marston Ltd |
Fire Safety Report |
Completed May 2020 – for internal use |
€650 |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
Integrated Engineering Consultancy Ltd. |
Energy Audit Compliance |
Completed September 2022 – for internal use |
€2,214 |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
Commercial Energy Ratings |
Display Energy Certificate Advisory Report |
Completed December 2022 – for internal use |
€1,536 |
|
Standards in Public Office Commission |
Ms. Niamh O’Donoghue |
Review of staffing resources in the Standards in Public Office Commission |
Completed July 2022 – for internal use |
€6,000 |
|
State Laboratory |
Institute of Public Administration |
Review of the Management Board Structure in the State Laboratory |
Completed September 2020 – for internal use |
€9,840 |
|
State Laboratory |
Institute of Public Administration |
Phase 2 of a Review of the Governance Structure in the State Laboratory |
Completed July 2021 – for internal use |
€12,456 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
PA Consulting Ltd |
Organisational Capability Assessment |
Completed in 2021 – for internal use |
€105,270 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
EY Ireland |
Enterprise IT Organisation Planning |
Completed in May 2022 – for internal use |
€29,394 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
Deloitte |
Review of the Existing NSSO Processing of Payrolls with a view to amending to processing arrears |
Completed in November 2022 – for internal use |
€27,675 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
EY Ireland |
Strategic Shared Services Review |
Due for completion in September 2023 |
€188,836 estimated (work is ongoing) |
|
National Shared Services Office |
EY Ireland, Bearingpoint |
Report for the ICT Committee |
Due for completion end July 2023 – for internal use |
€80,000 estimated (work is ongoing) |
|
National Shared Services Office |
Mentoring Connection |
Post Implementation Review of Wave 1 of Finance Shared Services |
Due for completion before the end of 2023 (intended the learnings will be published) |
€50,000 estimated (work is ongoing) |
There were no such reports commissioned in this time frame by the Office of the National Lottery Regulator.
352. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if consideration has been given to the inclusion of the running costs for the President to be subject to freedom of information requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36212/23]
View answerThere are no plans to change the current status of the President under the Freedom of Information Act, which derives from the constitutional position of that Office, as recently considered by the Supreme Court in Right to Know CLG v. Commissioner for Environmental Information [2022] IESC 19.
However, details of expenditure by the President’s Establishment are in any case available outside of FOI, as they are set out annually in the Revised Estimates Volume.
353. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to clarify the circumstances in which it is appropriate for public sector bodies to store or process citizen data in cloud services provided by commercial operators, as opposed to a private Government cloud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36216/23]
View answerThank you Deputy for this question. As I mentioned in my reply to your recent question about cloud computing, the Cloud Computing Advice Note issued by my Department, provides high-level guidance to assist Public Service Bodies in making decisions in relation to the adoption of cloud services.
In all cases, a move to cloud, whether commercial, government, or hybrid, will be a business decision made by individual Public Service Bodies on the basis of specific considerations. Public Service Bodies should and will take a range of factors into account such as the risk profile of the data, where it resides, and other such issues, which may determine that use of private government cloud is most appropriate for particular circumstances.
Public Service Bodies remain fully responsible regarding their regulatory obligations including data protection. In that regard, Public Service Bodies can also refer to the Data Protection Commission’s publication Guidance for Organisations Engaging Cloud Service Providers .
354. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost of a 30% increase in funding for the OPW for the construction and acquisition of buildings for public sector use. [36333/23]
View answerThe estimated cost of increasing funding at the percentages in the linked table is based on the 2023 REV allocation Subheads B5, B6 and B12. Details of what spend is covered in each subhead is below.
B5 - Purchase of Sites and Buildings
This subhead provides for the acquisition of properties and the perfection of title on existing properties in the state portfolio.
B.6 - New Works, Alterations and Additions
This subhead provides for the construction, refurbishment and fit-out of buildings required by the State e.g. Government Offices, Garda Stations, Cultural Institutions and Heritage sites
B.12 – National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP)
This subhead is funded through the NextGenerationEU recovery package for Europe in the shared response to the severe health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19. Specific projects will be carried out including a Building Energy Retrofit Programme on Regional buildings as well as completion of Tom Johnston House and Datacentre, Backweston.
355. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will consider a review of the rate of pay for conservation officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36394/23]
View answerPublic service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices.
The current public service agreement is ‘Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021 – 2022. The outcome of this agreement was a set of proposals put forward by the Workplace Relations Commission to extend Building Momentum for a period of 12 months to the end of 2023. Three additional pay adjustments totalling 6.5% are provided for under these proposals over 2022 and 2023. These are:
• An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 3% backdated to 2 February 2022.
• An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 2% on 1 March 2023.
• An increase in annualised basic salaries for public servants of 1.5% or €750, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2023.
Section 5.6.1 of the Agreement provides that there will be no cost increasing claims for improvements in pay or conditions of employment by trade unions, Garda and Defence Force associations, or employees during the period of the Agreement.
Sectoral Pay claims are a matter for the relevant Department in the first instance. There are established IR mechanisms in the public service where pay claims can be processed.
356. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36701/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of my Department and the bodies under its aegis is set out in the table below.
|
Public Body |
Telephone details on website and other media platforms |
Telephone details on stationery and headed paper used in correspondence |
|
Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform |
Yes* |
Yes |
|
Office of Public Works |
Yes |
Yes |
|
National Shared Services Office |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Public Appointments Service |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Office of the Ombudsman** |
Yes |
Yes |
|
State Laboratory |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery |
Yes |
Yes |
* The Department’s telephone number is displayed on its website (www.per.gov.ie) but not on other media platforms.
** This is also the case for the Office of the Information Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information, the Standards in Public Office Commission, the Commission for Public Service Appointments and the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner.
357. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the engagement he has had with the Minister for Transport regarding a project (details supplied) to date in 2023, including any meetings held in Government Buildings on the matter and the details of those present. [36841/23]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the NDP is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
I have had no specific meetings with the Minister for Transport on this project to date in 2023.
358. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding a project (details supplied) to date in 2023, including any meetings held in Government Buildings on the matter and the details of those present. [36842/23]
View answerI have had no formal engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to date in 2023 regarding the Cork Event Centre.
While responsibility for making the grant funding available for the project lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I understand that responsibility for the advancement of proposals for the development of the Event Centre lies with Cork City Council.
359. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by the hospitality sector in rural Ireland due to the rate of inflation and rising cost of living; what measures his Department is taking to assist the hospitality sector in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37115/23]
View answerDirect engagement with and support for the hospitality sector in rural areas is a matter for the relevant sectoral policy Departments rather than my Department. Of course, my Department will engage with those Departments on any proposals relating to the hospitality sector in rural areas that they bring forward in the context of the estimates process or during the year on the basis of their merit and the overall budgetary parameters.
360. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether his Department has conducted a review into the appropriate height of footpaths in relation to accessibility for those with mobility issues; and if so, what guidance is provided to those contracted to carry out the construction of new footpaths. [37116/23]
View answerThe construction and maintenance of footpaths is a matter for the relevant local authority.
361. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform whether an accessibility review was conducted in relation to the redevelopment of Bandon town centre; whether disabled parking bays will be provided close to amenities in the town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37117/23]
View answerThe redevelopment of town centres and the provision of parking bays are matters for the relevant local authorities.
362. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the scheme viability review (SVR) for flood relief schemes for Annagassan and Termonfeckin, to include when a decision will be made by the OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/23]
View answerThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk.
The CFRAM process investigated possible structural Flood Relief measures for both Annagassan and Termonfeckin. However while CFRAM did not identify economically viable Schemes for these communities the OPW is undertaking a review of the flood risk in these communities and the likely associated costs and benefits.
The purpose of the Scheme Viability Review (SVR) is to determine whether or not potential schemes should be taken to the full Flood Relief Scheme Project Stages. Its purpose is not to develop and design a Scheme in preparation for planning.
Due to resource constraints in the market the Termonfeckin SVR is being undertaken by the OPW and is expected to be completed by the end of Q3, 2023.
Following a procurement process to complete the review of a potential scheme for Annagassan consultants have been appointed and the Project is progressing well with the outcome of the review expected by the end of 2023.
Once the outcome of the Annagassan and Termonfeckin SVRs are known OPW will discuss the results with Louth County Council.
363. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on the interdepartmental working group looking at the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an occupational supplementary pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37139/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may will be aware, for all new entrants to public service between 6 April 1995 (move to Class A PRSI) and 1 January 2013 (introduction of the Single Pension Scheme) pension payment comprises of three components:
Public Service Occupational Pension payable by the Public Service employer from Voted expenditure, the calculation of which takes account of Social Insurance benefits that may be payable to the individual;
Social Insurance Benefit(s) (Jobseeker’s Benefit, State Pension Contributory (SPC) etc.), payable, subject to eligibility, by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from the Social Insurance Fund and;
Where the full rate of SPC is not payable, a balancing pension equivalent to a non-integrated pension i.e. a pension based on 1/80th of final pensionable remuneration, per year of service to maximum of 40 years, referred as an ‘Occupational Supplementary Pension’, which is payable, subject to eligibility, by the Public Service employer from Voted expenditure.
This approach is often referred to as an ‘integrated’ pension, as it takes into account the fact that employees are fully socially insured and includes the value of the social benefit(s) in the total value of the pension.
As mentioned above, the payment of an Occupational Supplementary Pension component is subject to eligibility, including the following:
The retired public servant is not in paid employment;
The retired public servant, due to no fault of their own, fails to qualify for Social Insurance benefit(s);
The retired public servant must have reached minimum pension age or retired on ill-health.
The second condition is important to ensure that no duplication of payments from public funds occurs. To ensure this condition is satisfied, prior to payment of the Occupational Supplementary Pension, a retired public servant is required to engage with the DSP and obtain a proof that they have exhausted any relevant benefits for which they are eligible under social insurance.
I am fully aware that the process for qualifying for the payment of an Occupational Supplementary Pension is creating issues for some retired public servants. In that light, my officials have been reviewing the current process with a view of establishing a more efficient and, where possible, a technologically enabled approach to eligibility testing that will remove undue cost for all parties involved, while preserving the principle of Exchequer neutrality.
The next step is for my officials to engage with the relevant stakeholders, in order to streamline the process. My Department is progressing the issue with a view to having a resolution in place at an early stage.
364. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department is looking at the pension abatement issue; if his Department is considering exceptions for those who are carrying out critical work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37140/23]
View answerThe abatement of public service pensions is provided for in Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 – the Single Scheme Act, however the principle of abatement is longstanding and dates back to the Superannuation Acts, 1834. In the context of public service pensions, abatement is the suspension or reduction in an individual’s public service pension(s) where that individual is re-employed in the public service.
Abatement policy ensures that a retired public servant receives only the amount of pension, that when combined with the remuneration in their new post, does not contribute to them exceeding the pensionable remuneration of their former position. It should be noted that only the pension is abated - the individual is entitled to the full remuneration associated with the new post.
As the Deputy may be aware, there is discretion under Section 52(4) of the Single Scheme Act to grant a waiver of abatement. Circular 24/2022 Explanatory Document, available on www.publicservicepensions.gov.ie/, contains a checklist of what is required for a public service body to submit a business case in order for me to consider the granting of a waiver of abatement. These waivers are generally granted only in exceptional circumstances and for a limited period of time. Each waiver application is assessed on its merits.
365. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if funding will be secured to establish the HSA's health and social care advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36344/23]
View answerFollowing a recent meeting with representatives of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation with Minister Coveney and myself, Minister Coveney asked the Board of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to consider establishing a new Health and Social Care Advisory Committee of the Board under Section 38 of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The purpose of such a committee would be to place particular focus on health and safety issues in health and social care service provision in the same way as with the construction and agricultural sectors. It could also develop new and targeted activities aimed at reducing the large number of incidents, injuries, and accidents in the sector.
The Chairperson of the Board has since confirmed that it will establish a Health and Social Care Advisory Committee. Terms of reference for this Committee are being prepared and will be considered by the Board at its next meeting in September. In the absence of agreed terms of reference, it is not possible at this stage, to set out the potential additional impacts of the work of this advisory committee on the HSA’s resources.
However, as a result of additional funding in recent years, the HSA had already increased its focus on the health sector and it now has a dedicated national policy and inspection team focusing on the sector as part of its newly established Occupational Health Division. The HSA is prioritising the health sector and is carrying out a mix of pro-active and reactive inspections across the sector as well as providing health sector specific information and guidance and e-learning programmes on managing occupational health and safety in healthcare settings.
