Pauline Tully
Question:206. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance if he met with a person (details supplied) during his recent visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos. [3575/24]
View answerDepartmental Meetings
Questions (206)
Written answers
During my engagements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, I had a wide range of political and business-related meetings, as well as a number of interviews with international media, and I participated in a number of discussion panels organised by the Forum. I can confirm to the Deputy that I did not have a bilateral meeting with any representatives of Amazon while in Davos.
I did, however, meet with representatives of Amazon MGM Studios earlier this month during my visit to the U.S. West Coast. Amazon MGM Studios is a subsidiary of the wider Amazon group. The core purpose of that visit was to promote two-way trade and investment between Ireland and the US West Coast, and to meet with a number of companies that have a long-standing and significant presence in Ireland.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (207)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:207. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 266 of 20 June 2023, if he will agree that Regulation 10(5) is no longer legal and needs amendment; if he will agree that this amendment should extend to non-blood related carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3636/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as defined, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Principal Medical Officer (PMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled by satisfying at least one of the six medical criteria that is set out in legislation, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate.
With regard to the legislative amendments to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, my officials are working with Revenue officials to consider the policy and operational implications of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, and in particular that wards of court will over time be assessed in respect of their decision-making capacity. Such considerations will inform amendments to be made to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
Electricity Supply Board
Questions (208, 209)
Réada Cronin
Question:208. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications will reach the necessary consent to pay the agreed pension increases to ESB beneficiaries, such consent notified to them as being required for payment and long awaited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3431/24]
View answer
Mark Ward
Question:209. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he has received contact from ESB pensions in relation to seeking consent for payment of a pension increase; when there will be a decision on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
Under rule 42.4 of the Scheme rules, set out in Electricity Supply Board (Superannuation) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 18/2014), the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform is required for pension increases under the Scheme.
On 22 November 2023, the Secretary of the Superannuation Committee of the ESB Defined Benefit Pension Scheme wrote to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications requesting consent for a 4.0% increase to pensions under the Scheme effective from 1 January 2024. A report on the proposed increase was completed by NewERA on 20 December which has informed the ongoing consent process.
On 17 January, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications wrote to my Department confirming the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and requesting my consent.
The proposed increase is currently being considered and a decision will be made on the matter shortly.
The consideration of the pension increase request has followed the pension increase process agreed between the ESB and both Departments and is being carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, as amended by Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular 16/2021.
Question No. 209 answered with Question No. 208.
Civil Service
Questions (210)
Jackie Cahill
Question:210. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 23 November 2023, if the new Civil Service Arbitration Board has started issuing hearing dates; if not, when it plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3519/24]
View answerWritten answers
In line with the terms of the C&A Scheme for the civil service, I brought a Memo to Government on 7th November and a Government Decision was made to appoint a new Arbitration Board with effect from that date.
I have been advised that the new Board has commenced its work and that hearings have been scheduled from early February.
Heritage Sites
Questions (211)
Seán Sherlock
Question:211. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of repair works at a site (details supplied); and when it will reopen to the public. [3552/24]
View answerWritten answers
The re-pointing and re-grouting elements of the works on Barryscourt Castle are progressing well and are now at an advanced stage. In addition, enabling works to facilitate the upgrade of the mechanical and electrical systems within the Castle have also commenced and are on target together with the presentation of the rooms and historic garden.
OPW has directed additional labour resources to the project in recent times. I have asked my officials to respond directly to the Deputy on when the works at the Castle will be complete and ready to open to the public.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (212)
Pauline Tully
Question:212. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the timeframe his Department is expecting for the construction of the new Garda station in Bailieboro, Cavan to be completed; and the estimated cost for these works. [3571/24]
View answerWritten answers
The project for a new Garda Station at Bailieborough, Co. Cavan includes conservation of the existing former National Irish Bank building and the construction of a new three storey over basement building to the rear on a site located on the town’s main street.
The purchase of a neighbouring property by the Office of Public Works (OPW) allows the provision of extra secure parking spaces and safer processing of those being arrested. Plans to facilitate this were approved by Garda Estate Management and Planning Permission for the works was granted in September 2023.
The Contractor has submitted costings and timescales for these works which are currently being considered by the OPW.
Heritage Sites
Questions (213)
Catherine Murphy
Question:213. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the progress made to date on renovating Jigginstown Castle into a safe and accessible ruin that can be open to the public; if surrounding fencing will be improved; the date on which OPW last inspected the castle; if the site in general can be improved to facilitate biodiversity areas; and the amount expended on restoration of the castle in the past 25 years to date. [3601/24]
View answerWritten answers
More time is needed to collate the information to answer the question tabled by the Deputy on Jigginstown Castle. My officials will collate the information and reply directly to the Deputy.