Written Answers Nos. 286-305
286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans to expand on the schedule of prescribed bodies in the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (details supplied); and if he has consulted the Data Protection Commissioner in this regard and-or his ministerial and departmental colleagues. [11937/24]
View answerAt present there are no plans to make an order under section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act in respect of any organisation.
However, a comprehensive review of the Freedom of Information Act has been undertaken. Among the themes identified as requiring examination in the consultation process were the mechanisms for designating a body as one to which FOI applies. This issue is being considered in the context of preparation of the review report.
287. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has received communication from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth requesting additional funding for the provision of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection in 2023 and-or in 2024. [11943/24]
View answer288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has undertaken a review and or assessment of spending and the financial controls of same by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of the provision of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection in 2023 and-or in 2024. [11944/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.
In the first instance it should be noted that this is a matter for the Minister for Children as it relates to expenditure of that Department. Budget 2024 provides an allocation of €1.9 billion by DCEDIY for the provision of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants. This builds on the allocation provided in Budget 2023 and recent years which have seen large increases in expenditure in this area.
With regard to governance and oversight arrangements it is the responsibility of DCEDIY and its Accounting Officer to ensure the necessary financial controls are in place and to review or assess expenditure under the DCEDIY Vote in line with public financial procedures.
DPENDR will continue to engage with DCEDIY in relation to the monitoring of all expenditure within the DCEDIY Vote and any funding requirements necessary through the usual estimates processes.
289. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the definition of what comprises general visitor traffic in the matter of the avenue at Castletown House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12001/24]
View answerAs it stands, the official vehicular access to Castletown House, through the Celbridge gate, was acquired by the State in 1994 along with 13 acres of land. I have already stated, on many occasions, the Lime Avenue is not for general visitor traffic to Castletown House. General visitor traffic in this context refers to vehicular traffic generated by the general public seeking to visit Castletown House and Estate for amenity or cultural purposes.
The OPW seeks only to use the Lime Avenue from Celbridge Gate to allow the staff of Castletown to access their place of work normally and to facilitate deliveries, services and blue-badge holders. It is not proposed to cater for general visitors to the site.
Use of the Lime Avenue for these purposes is estimated to not exceed 20 vehicles entering the site and the same number exiting per day during the week and considerably less at the weekend when no deliveries or works take place and only a handful of staff are rostered on. The OPW has outlined how the system of pedestrian priority has always operated in Castletown House and Estate for access for staff who park at the east of the House and for people with a disability. It is also how Castletown Estate has always operated in regard to vehicles involved in the maintenance of the grounds. This is the same system in place in St. Stephen’s Green, Oldbridge House, Farmleigh, Kilkenny Castle and many other OPW Heritage sites.
290. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what provisions his Department is obliged to make to ensure Government services, such as the Revenue Commissioners, are accessible to the digitally disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/24]
View answerThank you for raising this important matter. I recognise that in an increasingly digital society there are those who are unable to avail of digital opportunities for whatever reason. That is why In August 2023, my Department, following collaboration with a number of Departments and external representative organisations, published Digital for Good: Ireland's Digital Inclusion Roadmap. The Roadmap addresses the digital inclusion aims set out in the national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital. A key focus is to coordinate and integrate our efforts to delivering the United Nations guiding principle of “Leave No One Behind”.
The Roadmap also reflects the ask to public service bodies in the Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy – Better Public Services, to identify and prioritise actions that support digital inclusion to make sure no one is left behind.
Public service bodies will use digital to improve the off-line experience for those who are unable to consume services digitally. By enabling those who can use digital services to so do, we can redirect resources in a range of ways to provide a better service to those who may need assistance, for example through our public offices and libraries.
291. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the details on when his Department will undertake drainage and flood relief works at Gullet Cross, Cratloe, County Clare. [12273/24]
View answerIn February 2023, the Office of Public Works (OPW), approved funding of €76,500 to Clare County Council under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project at Gullet Cross, Carrowmore, Cratloe.
The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The works are carried out under Local Authority powers and ongoing progression of the works and maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the Council.
Clare County Council has confirmed that the works were scheduled for 2023, however it was not possible to undertake the works then due to weather related and resource issues and these works will now form part of Clare County Council's 2024 works programme.
292. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of exit and-or severance and-or redundancy packages granted by his Department, bodies under his aegis and bodies he funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body, in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12355/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there have been no such instances in my Department or the bodies under its aegis since 2019.
293. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW plans to refresh and refurbish the exterior of Rathfarnham Castle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12530/24]
View answerThe exterior of Rathfarnham Castle is finished with a substance called lime harling, which needs to be refreshed periodically. This is a large works project which will necessitate a full scaffold being erected around the building.
There are additional works that are required to the parapets and roof which can be carried out at the same time as the lime harling. However, there is a short seasonal window in which the lime harling finish can be applied, to allow for weather conditions, which means that these works are likely to take place in Spring 2025. Funds have been allocated to undertake this project, and a senior architect has been assigned to oversee the design and completion.
In the meantime, OPW is conducting testing to verify the success of localised cleaning for the summer of 2024.
294. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 22 March 2022, the progress made and the steps he has taken to improve ventilation for staff who work in the basement area of the Swiss Cottage in Cahir, County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to the fact the basement area has no mechanical ventilation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12643/24]
View answerSwiss cottage is a National Monument in State Ownership under National Monument number 647.
The Office of Public Works is committed to providing safe workplaces for its staff at all times and is already aware of the concerns raised by staff in relation to air quality at the Reception area of the Swiss Cottage.
The area in the basement remains functional with no deterioration of fabric or environmental quality. There continues to be ongoing monitoring of the site in regards to air quality in the basement area. There are no immediate plans to introduce additional mechanical ventilation to the structure which forms the National Monument. This would be a highly invasive and obtrusive action which would require ministerial consent and cause significant alterations to the fabric of the building and its presentation. The basement area of Swiss Cottage will be used as a reception area only and staff can alternate between working on the reception area and giving guided tours therefore minimising the period of time spent in the basement.
To further reduce the amount of time being spend by staff in the basement area, I am pleased to advise that a mobile welfare unit is in situ for Guide staff to use as their welfare accommodation. This mobile unit has a kitchenette area and toilet facilities. This alternative guide facility is located at the base of the historic steps.
295. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the full cost of the referendums held on 8 March 2024; and the breakdown of those costs. [12677/24]
View answerThe deadline for Returning Officers to submit all of their costs to my Department is six months after the referendums are held, so final figures for the cost of the referendums held on 8 March will not be available until then. However, it is estimated that the costs over which my Department has oversight will be approximately €21 million, broken down as follows:
• €17 million in payments to Returning Officers to facilitate the running of the referendums
• €3.5 million to An Post to cover the postal costs associated with the referendums
• €400,000 of smaller payments to the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage and the Office of Public Works.
Costs incurred by the Electoral Commission are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
296. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated total cost of the referendums held on 8 March 2024; if he will provide an itemised breakdown of estimated costs, including wage costs, printing, refreshments, rental of venues, purchase or rental of equipment, advertising and the costs of the activities of the Electoral Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12693/24]
View answerThe deadline for Returning Officers to submit all of their costs to my Department is six months after the referendums are held, so a breakdown of the cost of the referendums held on 8 March will not be available until then. However, it is estimated that the costs over which my Department has oversight will be approximately €21 million, broken down as follows:
• €17 million in payments to Returning Officers to facilitate the running of the referendums
• €3.5 million to An Post to cover the postal costs associated with the referendums
• €400,000 of smaller payments to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works.
Costs incurred by the Electoral Commission are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
297. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level of funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12725/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has funded two non-governmental organisations over the past three years, with the amount of funding set out in the table below.
My Department has funded Transparency International Ireland since 2013 to support the Department’s role in the implementation of the Protected Disclosures Act. My Department provides this funding in order to help workers raise concerns regarding potential wrongdoing that has come to their attention in the workplace.My Department provided grant funding to Benefacts between the period 2015 and 2022. The project was funded as a pathfinder initiative in the area of data analytics on the non-profit sector. Benefacts was initially co-funded with philanthropy. However, in latter years, the Department had been providing the majority of funding to the entity. On foot of an independent report in 2019 and a subsequent review in 2020, my Department ceased funding Benefacts in March 2022.
|
NGO |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Transparency International Ireland |
€220,000 |
€285,000 |
€373,453 |
|
Benefacts |
€900,000 |
€263,852 |
(€87,000)* |
*At its cessation, Benefacts refunded grant monies of €87,000 owed to the Department.
298. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings he or officials from his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied), including its representatives, from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12745/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department and I have had a number of engagements with the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) since 2019. In each of the years from 2019 to 2023, my officials and I met with the Community and Voluntary Pillar for a pre-budget meeting and the NWCI attended each of these meetings. In addition to this, the NWCI were also part of a Civic Forum meeting that I attended in November 2023.
With regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am advised that the Public Appointments Service (PAS) had some engagement with the NWCI in the context of the development of the PAS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy in 2019, through the attendance of a representative of the NWCI at a strategy development focus group. In addition, a representative of the NWCI was involved in a shortlisting process for a senior role in a public body in both 2020 and 2023.
299. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW chair will reconvene the meetings of the steering group on the flood mitigation at Ballycar; if the group will report to the relevant Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12761/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the flooding at Ballycar, Co. Clare relates to the flooding of railway infrastructure on the Limerick to Ennis line. The OPW notes that it is ultimately a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Transport to progress the implementation of the flood mitigation measures identified for Ballycar, given that the primary benefits of the measures are derived from the protection of Iarnród Éireann infrastructure.
In order to progress the implementation of flood mitigation measures identified for Ballycar, officials from my Department have advised that steering group meetings be reconvened. However, given that it is a transport related issue, it remains a matter for Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Transport to progress the reconvening of a steering group.
The OPW remains supportive of any initiative taken by Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Transport to reconvene steering group meetings for Ballycar, and officials from my Department will be available to attend such meetings if invited.
300. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount of his Department's capital budget allocation that has been spent in the first two months of 2024; and if he will provide the corresponding figures for 2023. [12800/24]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has a very modest capital allocation of less than €700,000 for 2024. At the end of February no capital funding had been expended, which is similar to the position at end-February 2023.
On a Vote group basis, capital expenditure amounted to just under €34 million at end-February 2024, compared to capital expenditure of over €18 million covering the same period in 2023. The Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Group consists of the Department itself, the National Shared Services Office, the Office of Government Procurement, the Office of Public Works, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Public Appointments Service. The Vote Group allocation for 2024 is €323 million, with the majority of this allocation provided to the Office of Public Works (€288 million total in 2024).
301. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 5 March 2024, if he will accept that the response is misleading, given An Garda Síochána has informed this Deputy that there is no request with it for a business case in relation to the force's long-term requirements in the area; the up-to-date position in relation to acquiring a site for a Garda station in the Castletroy-Annacotty area of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12892/24]
View answerI am happy to clarify the position for the Deputy. A Business Case is required to comply with the provisions of Public Spending Code where it is considered that the acquisition of a property is required. It is the responsibility of the Sponsoring Agency, in this case An Garda Síochána, to prepare this Business Case. An Garda Síochána are preparing an initial Business Case for nine sites, including Castletroy, throughout the country and the Office of Public Works have been engaging with them in this regard over the last number of months.
As stated in my previous response the OPW will seek a suitable site for a new Garda Station in the Castletroy/ Annacotty area of Limerick when the Business Case process is complete and the long term requirements of An Garda Síochána in the area are confirmed.
302. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total capital spend for each year since 2018, broken down by Exchequer and non-Exchequer, by core and non-core, and what the Exchequer expenditure represents as a percentage share of GNI*, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12950/24]
View answer303. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total projected capital spend for 2024, 2025 and 2027, broken down by Exchequer and non-Exchequer as well as by core and non-core, and what the Exchequer expenditure represents as a percentage share of GNI*, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12951/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for the management of gross voted expenditure and the annual estimates process, general sanctioning powers in relation to expenditure and policy matters relating to the appraisal, review and evaluation of expenditure. I am not responsible for the management of non-Exchequer expenditure, which mainly comprises of spending by semi-state bodies, local authorities’ own resource funds, and other state funds, such as the Irish Strategic Investment Fund.
The following table sets out the overall voted expenditure from 2018 to 2023, along with the projected spend for 2024, 2025 and 2026. The figures for 2018 to 2022 are derived from the audited appropriation accounts, the 2023 accounts are not yet audited and thereby the provisional outturn figures are recorded in the table. The figures for 2024, 2025 and 2026 reflect the allocations under the National Development Plan 2021-30 and also include an additional €2.25 billion windfall Exchequer receipts over the period 2024-26 - comprising an additional €250 million in 2024, €750 million in 2025 and €1.25 billion in 2026.
A breakdown of core and non-core expenditure as sought by the Deputy is not available as the audited appropriation accounts do not provide this information and this would require the analysis of a large volume of individual expenditure lines for each Department over the period.
|
- |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
€m |
5,995 |
7,164 |
9,102 |
9,666 |
10,942 |
12,028 |
13,076 |
14,350 |
15,450 |
|
GNI* |
3.1% |
3.4% |
4.5% |
4.1% |
4.0% |
4.1% |
4.3% |
4.5% |
4.6% |
304. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount of rent the OPW has collected from external agencies to have a café-restaurant service in each heritage site under the remit of the OPW in 2023; and when the contract for each of these services is due to expire, by location, in tabular form. [12963/24]
View answerThe table below shows total revenue received by OPW in 2023 from concession fees paid from private businesses operating a Tearoom/Café/ Restaurant Concession on OPW National Historical Properties and National Monument sites broken down by county as agreed with the Deputy's office.
|
County |
2023 |
|
Cork |
€24,232.68 |
|
Donegal |
€325.00 |
|
Dublin |
€445,796.35 |
|
Galway |
€11,162.88 |
|
Kildare |
€43,998.77 |
|
Kilkenny |
€8,995.12 |
|
Kerry |
€18,585.99 |
|
Laois |
€1,219.51 |
|
Mayo |
€2,500.00 |
|
Meath |
€126,796.79 |
|
Wicklow |
€53,432.32 |
|
Wexford |
€3,719.41 |
|
Total |
€740,764.82 |
A breakdown by site is provided below with contract expiration dates. It should be noted that in 2023 National Historical Properties along with the Chief State Solicitors Office carried out extensive work on the suite of documents to be used for future Concession Tenders. The preparation of updated tender documents to be used for future tenders was time consuming. As a result some concessionaires have remained in place pending the running of new tenders. The OPW has put in place additional staffing to administer the new concession arrangements and it is planned that new tenders will issue in Q2 this year. This will facilitate continuity of service until the outcome of the new tenders.
|
Site |
Contract Expiration |
Comments |
|
Farmleigh House |
03/11/2024 |
|
|
Castletown House |
Concession Ceased 23/10/2023 |
Castletown House currently closed, tender to be arranged when reopening |
|
Kilkenny Castle |
Expired 2022 |
Due to go out to tender Q2 2024 |
|
Glebe Gallery |
19/12/2026 |
|
|
Phoenix Park |
21/02/2028 |
|
|
National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin |
Contract Expired |
Tender in Progress |
|
National Botanic Gardens Kilmacurragh |
10/05/2022 |
Due to go to tender Q2 2024 |
|
Emo Court |
31/12/2023 |
Due to go to tender Q2 2024 |
|
Garinish Island |
Contract Expired |
Tender in Progress |
|
Derrynane House |
01/04/2025 |
|
|
Blasket Visitor Centre |
07/11/2024 |
|
|
JFK Arboretum |
01/12/2023 |
Due to go to tender Q2 2024 |
|
Doneraile House |
30/07/2024 |
|
|
Battle of the Boyne |
10/02/2025 |
|
|
Pearse Museum, St Enda’s |
31/12/2023 |
Due to go out to tender Q2 2024 |
|
Kilmainham Gaol |
18/07/2027 |
|
|
Brú Na Bóinne |
01/02/2027 |
|
|
Portumna Castle |
03/11/2024 |
Due to go to tender for 2025 season |
|
Céide Fields |
31/12/2027 |
305. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of persons who will be offered a job as a chef within OPW following the recent recruitment campaign for chefs; and when each of the applicants will be notified of whether they have been offered a job. [12964/24]
View answerIt is expected that there will be 1 role offered. Shortlisting will take place in early April after which candidates will be advised of the outcome of that process. Interviews, for candidates who progress to the next stage of the competition, will take place later in the month.
