Vol. 1029 No. 3
84. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding received by each local authority for flood relief schemes in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56322/22]
Flood relief schemes are hugely important. I welcome the fact that the Government has made a large amount of money available for such schemes in recent times. How much has been made available in recent years? What is the current situation? Are there plans to increase funding?
I thank the Deputy. I have set out in tabular form in the following link the detail on the amount of funding approved for each local authority under the OPW minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022.
As the Deputy will be aware, the purpose of the 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 scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short timeframe. The works to be funded are carried out under local authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the local authority.
Under the scheme, the OPW reviews all applications to ensure the proposed works are technically, environmentally and economically feasible. The scheme applies to all eligible projects with an estimated cost of up to €750,000 and 90% of the overall costs for approved projects are paid by my office.
Since the scheme was established in 2009, 7,600 properties have been protected through 643 minor works projects at a cost to the end of 2021 of €43.4 million. Approved works typically include the provision of flood barriers, remedial works to embankments, installation of trash screens, works to culverts, drainage and channel widening. Since 2018, funding of €19.4 million was approved by the OPW for 212 individual projects across 27 local authorities. Of these, the highest funding approval, €2.2 million, was granted to Galway County Council. Cork County Council was allocated €2 million, Kerry County Council, €2 million, and Fingal County Council, €1.4 million.
Over this time, five of the 212 applications from local authorities were for projects of over €500,000 each, with 86% of all applications estimated to cost less than €150,000.
During that same period the amount of funding drawdown by local authorities for approved flood projects was €9.6 million. The commencement and progression of any works for which funding is approved is a matter for each local authority concerned. Often drawdown will take up to five years after approval.
https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2022-11-15_pq84-15-11-22_en.xlsx
I would be concerned about delays in drawdown and maybe money being lost or taken back by the OPW. The Minister of State might tell me what the situation is with that. Does the OPW keep tabs on the local authorities to put pressure on them to do the work in a timely fashion? Obviously, these works would not be approved unless they were needed. If they are not done in a timely fashion then people are going to suffer.
I am sure the Minister of State will be interested in my next question about sea-level rise himself. We know from the recent conference in Egypt that sea levels are rising at an alarming rate. I have raised this before. In my own area in Pilmore near Youghal we see the impact of that. Do these schemes encompass the rate of sea level rise and the damage that it can do to property, livelihoods, to roads and houses and so on? Are there any plans to expand the scheme to take that into account?
The Deputy is correct about drawdown. Much of the funds are not drawn down. Roughly half the funds approved have actually been drawn down during the five-year period we were looking at. The budget itself is not entirely applied for. There is always much more money in the budget than is applied for by the local authorities. I would encourage the Deputy to ask his local authority to apply for the funding for minor works schemes and then to make sure that it does draw it down.
There must be a role for county councillors in local authorities to pursue their council executive over these matters to, first, request that they ask for money and then to make sure that they draw it down and make sure that they spend it. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, asked me to convey to the Deputy that he is planning to visit Midleton in coming weeks.
Of course, sea level rises are something that affect not only the Deputy's constituency but also my own. In Dún Laoghaire the railway line runs along the seafront and this is becoming a cost for Irish Rail as well as for the country as a whole and everyone who happens to live near the coast, which is an increasing number.
Would the Minister of State agree that his last point on sea level rises is something that we really need to get our act together on? If reports are true, we face a very serious impact on property and housing, farmland, railway lines and so on across the country. I get the feeling we are not treating this with the urgency that we should as a Government, as a State or as a nation but it is coming if all the scientists are correct.
Would the Minister of State agree that perhaps the local authorities do not have the capacity to draw down the funding he is talking about? It is very serious if they are not drawing down the amounts which he mentioned because these schemes are needed. If money is being handed back because local authorities do not have the capacity, is it time for the Government to have a conversation with local authorities to see if they need more help, such as more personnel to get this work done in time?
On the approach to sea level rises all around the country and its effect on critical infrastructure, housing and so on, the Climate Action Plan will continue to address that. There will be specific actions relating to flooding. People will pay particular attention to that in the current environment.
On whether the local authorities need extra capacity, I know the OPW will act in an advisory capacity to anybody who has been allocated money. If local authorities feel they do not have the capacity to draw it down they should write to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan and let him know, if that is what the problem is. Really, many of these are small projects of under €0.5 million. They are the kinds of projects that local authorities are well capable of delivering if they put their minds to it. There is a role for county councillors to put pressure on their own local authorities to actually carry out the work.
85. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the level of funding for minor drainage works will be increased in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56458/22]
In 2009 the OPW introduced the minor flood mitigation works. These enabled local authorities to carry out flood mitigation works to address localised flooding. As has been said, these schemes have been extremely beneficial. There is a good return on public investment. They are turned around in a short time. It is a scheme that merits increased funding on the basis that it addresses local issues and also ensures a good return on public investment.
The purpose of the Office of Public Works' minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection 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 scheme was introduced by my office in 2009 and applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short timeframe. The works to be funded are carried out under local authority powers and ongoing maintenance of the completed works is the responsibility of the council.
Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost-benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. The original maximum amount was €500,000 and was increased to €750,000 following a review of the scheme in June 2017.
The scheme is demand-led and the funding has always been available to cover eligible applications submitted by the local authorities. Funding will continue to be available in 2023 on this basis. To date, nationally and since 2009, my office has approved 873 projects under this scheme and funding of €57.7 million. This is a very significant and important scheme for managing localised flooding problems and both I and my office promote and encourage local authorities to avail of the funding under the scheme to address such localised flooding issues.
It has been a very successful scheme with a relatively small investment that has brought great benefits to many communities right throughout the country. The Minister of State is encouraging local authorities to submit proposals to the OPW. My local authority in Cavan has a number of proposals with the OPW that I would like to see advanced as quickly as possible. Two are The Maples estate in Cavan town and The Meadows estate in Shercock. Unfortunately, over the past few weeks both those estates endured heavy flooding which caused flooding in some homes and limited pedestrian access into The Meadows estate. There are very reasonable proposals with the OPW on these two estates. I would be very glad if the Minister of State would speak to the officials and ensure that the funding is provided to Cavan County Council to ensure that they can carry out the necessary remedial works in early 2023.
I will take those two schemes in Cavan to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan and raise them with him directly. Any local authority should apply for funding where needed. There is a very low refusal rate. I think only about 10% of schemes are refused. Also, as we discussed, there is a low rate of drawdown on the projects. Sometimes projects are approved but the funding is not drawn down. The question was phrased in such a way as to ask if there will be sufficient money for next year. There is always sufficient money in the budget. The problem has always been spending the money in the budget. It is available for anyone who needs it. The budget is set at such a level that if there is a very bad year, where there were bad storms for instance, there is enough money to cover those flood-relief works. I think the emphasis has to be not on increasing the funding but on making sure that the Deputy's local authority does apply for the funding and has capacity to do it. If it needs advice or help to apply for the funding, we can help with that.
I will take the two schemes in Cavan to the Minister of State.
I thank the Minister of State for agreeing to bring those two schemes to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. I would state very clearly here that Cavan local authority has put forward very realistic proposals on those two particular estates and other projects too. I hope that it would be possible to get clearance from the Department early in 2023 so that the council can set about drawing down that funding and bringing those necessary improvement works to those two particular estates. Other projects have also been submitted by the council which it is confident it could easily carry out should the funding become available.
I commit that I will bring those two projects in Cavan to the Minister of State and ask him to look into them and contact the Deputy's office directly to liaise with him to make sure the schemes are met. I understand that flooding is devastating for anyone who has a home that is affected by it. It causes great distress to families and also great financial distress.
Sometimes you cannot wait for a major flood-relief scheme to be carried out and need remedial works that provide relief in the short term, so I will do everything I can to help the Deputy with that.
86. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he anticipates further expenditure measures to address the rise in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56444/22]
Does the Minister anticipate further expenditure measures to address the increase in the cost of living?
I thank the Deputy for the question. Budget 2023 contained significant responsive measures to support households, public and community services and businesses, with spending measures of €4.5 billion. As part of this budget, a winter cost-of-living package for households, costing €2.2 billion, was announced by the Government. It included the following: a double payment of weekly social welfare scheme payments in October; a fuel allowance lump sum of €400; a once-off payment of €500 to those in receipt of the carer's support grant and people on the disability allowance, blind pension and invalidity pension; a €200 living-alone allowance lump sum; a €500 working family payment lump sum; a double child benefit payment; a once-off reduction in the student contribution fee of €1,000 for undergraduates and one-third for apprentices; a €1,000 increase to the postgraduate tuition fee contribution grant; a double payment to those eligible for Student Universal Support Ireland maintenance grants and a once-off payment of €500 for Science Foundation Ireland and Irish Research Council PhD researchers; €8 million for the student assistance fund; and three €200 electricity credits, with two instalments due in the new year. In addition, a Christmas bonus will be paid to eligible social protection recipients in December.
In recognition of the unprecedented rise in energy bills for businesses and public services, the Government introduced several further support measures. It provided €340 million this year in support for public and community services. It will introduce a €200 million Ukraine emergency response scheme, helping firms facing liquidity issues as a result of increased energy costs. It is to be administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We are introducing a temporary business energy support scheme, providing up to €1.2 billion to support businesses encountering increased energy costs. The focus of the Government is now on implementing all these measures, plus a range of others announced in the budget less than two months ago.
I set up the Minister nicely to list the measures he has introduced. In fairness, there has been an incredible intervention. We have never seen anything like it in the State's history in terms of how we have tried to cushion the blow from the increase in the cost of living. The Minister mentioned the cost-of-living payment, the disability support grant, the doubling of the social welfare payments, the reduction of the student contribution and the doubling of the student grant for December. These are all extraordinary measures that will make a difference and help. However, as we get into the middle of winter, time goes by and inflation continues to increase, at what point will we review the existing measures and consider increases where needed?
A key element in reducing energy costs is the roll-out of solar. Can we expect a rapid roll-out of solar, particularly domestic solar?
I thank the Deputy. Just today, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, and I announced the details of the four lump-sum payments to be made this week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These payments are: the fuel allowance lump sum; the disability grant lump sum; the living-alone allowance lump sum; and the payment to low-income working families in the form of the working-family payment. Throughout next year, starting on 1 January, we will see the implementation of a range of other budgetary measures designed to ease the cost-of-living pressures we know many households are facing, including the changes to core weekly social welfare rates, the easing of the eligibility threshold and qualifying criteria for the fuel allowance, to give just a few examples in the area of social welfare, and also income tax changes. We will consider the point the Deputy has made on solar energy and what more we can do as a Government to incentivise investment in that source of renewable energy.
The Europe-wide windfall tax represents another opportunity to reduce costs for both households and businesses. This tax will be levied on energy companies that provide low-carbon and low-emissions energy. I have heard figures of between €2 billion and €3 billion for Ireland alone out of the entire pot. That is a significant pot to use to cushion the blow for businesses and households, but the latter especially. When can we expect to see the benefits of the windfall tax? When can we expect to see the revenue distributed to the households that will badly need it in January and February, when it will still be cold, and to businesses? Some businesses are very appreciative of the temporary business energy support scheme but feel more may need to be done in future months. Can we see the windfall tax revenue distributed?
The Aire spoke about the electricity credits. In this regard, I would like to bring up an issue. Would it be possible to consider a bespoke solution for communal heating systems? Constituents of mine in Carlinn Hall have a gas-fed communal heating system that presents a particular anomaly. In the long term, the only solution is to change the source, but in the short term we need to mitigate the pressure people are under. If possible, could the temporary business energy support scheme payment be made to the companies that run such schemes, once it is ensured that the residents get the break?
I also wish to raise a related issue. Have we dealt with anomalies such as shared meters at caravan parks, etc.?
Could I ask the Minister about funding to assist students as they cope with the cost-of-living crisis? In Carlow, we now have the South East Technological University and Carlow College. However, while students in the university can access Government supports to combat the cost-of-living crisis, those in the college cannot. Some third-level students can receive funding for laptops under the assistance scheme but Carlow College students cannot access that scheme. The college loses out on mental health funding and other supports simply because it is not under the Higher Education Authority, HEA. Can the Minister tell me what engagement the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, has had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the progress on including Carlow College under the HEA?
In response to Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, we have committed that any additional revenues we raise, whether from a windfall tax, a solidarity contribution from companies in the renewables sector, which companies have done very well owing to how energy is priced, and also from fossil fuel companies, will be provided by way of additional supports to communities, households and businesses. Several Departments are currently working to scope out the impact of the measures that have been agreed at EU level. That work is continuing. I expect that, throughout next year, we will have further clarity on what that means. The commitment to giving revenue back to people by way of additional supports, reduced network tariffs and so on will apply.
On Deputy Ó Murchú's question, I assume he was referring to district heating systems. This issue has been raised with me also at constituency level. I have engaged with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, on it because I am aware it has presented particular problems for residents with group heating. A district-heating group has been set up across government to work on that and determine what possible solutions may exist.
I will ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, to revert to Deputy Murnane O'Connor on Carlow College and the non-availability of some of the supports to some of its students.
87. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update of the implementation of the national development plan for the period 2021 to 2030, specifically in relation to national strategic objective, NSO, 8 of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56445/22]
Could the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform provide an update on the implementation of the national development plan, specifically concerning NSO 8, which refers to the transition to a climate-neutral society?
At the outset, it should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in co-ordinating the national development plan, NDP, review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies, as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and agencies.
National strategic objective, NSO, 8 seeks the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society. The next ten years are critical in order to address the climate crisis, and we have significantly stepped up our climate ambition by committing to reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by the end of the decade, and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
This is set out in the new Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. The Act established a new legally binding framework for climate change, including the adoption of a series of three economy-wide, five-year carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, which set the maximum limit on greenhouse gas emissions for each sector of our economy. In addition, the Act provides for the climate action plan to be updated every year. The latest version of the plan for 2023 is expected to be brought to the Government in the coming weeks and it will be aligned with our carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.
The sectoral strategies for flood risk management are outlined in the Government's climate change sectoral adaptation plan for flood risk management. These strategies play a critical role in identifying the goals and priorities for the sector and are therefore critical in informing the investment priorities set out in the NDP.
Over the period to 2030, an additional €5 billion of the expected €9.5 billion in additional carbon tax receipts will be invested in energy efficiency. In terms of strategic investment priorities for the energy sector, this includes supporting the delivery of offshore renewable energy, retrofitting up to 500,000 homes and the installation of 600,000 heat pumps. Specific projects include the Celtic interconnector, which when completed in 2026, will be Ireland's largest electricity interconnector. I will add further details in a moment.
I thank the Minister for the response. He alluded to many of the measures that will be used to reduce emissions and achieve climate neutrality. One of the key ways that we can transition to a climate-neutral society is through active travel and the provision of walkways and cycleways in particular. Unfortunately, we saw an alarming statistic in 2021, which was that 56% of funding for active travel in rural areas remained unspent. Is the Department monitoring the expenditure of the various local authorities on active travel? Are local authorities being proactive in spending this funding? Could the Minister refer in his response to Cork County Council and whether it is reaching its targets on active travel expenditure? I would appreciate if he could go further and tell me if west Cork is meeting its targets as well.
The important point to make is that the funding that has been provided represents an enormous opportunity for local authorities all over Ireland. The Deputy is correct in saying that there have been underspends across some local authority areas. To be fair, it can take time to build up the capacity to deliver certain projects and to get them through the various planning approval processes. The allocation of €360 million every year will support 1,000 km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025, as well as additional investment in greenways. My Department is working closely with the Department of Transport in particular on the roll-out of the funding. As the Deputy can imagine, it is in touch on a regular basis with all of the individual local authorities around the country. I do not have a breakdown of the performance by local authority versus budget, but as the Deputy is aware, there is within the overall management of capital expenditure an opportunity to carry forward certain unspent funds. It is about having a pipeline of projects that can be delivered over several years. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve our walking and cycling infrastructure.
If possible, I would like to see a breakdown, especially of Cork County Council. It has achieved great things especially in building social houses. I am interested to see what its delivery on active travel is like, especially in the western division.
I know the Minister cannot comment on individual projects, but the NDP does refer to a project to deliver safe walking and cycling access between Clonakilty, my home town, and Inchydoney, probably our most famous tourism destination. Currently, there is no safe pedestrian or cycling access. A dedicated group has been formed which has put its weight behind this project. It has approached landowners, 99% of whom are fully behind this project. The entire public are behind the project, but we are finding it difficult to get the local authority to buy into it, and apply for funding for it. Could the Minister's Department do anything to give a nudge to local authorities to get behind projects like this one that will deliver safe cycling access to a wonderful beach like Inchydoney?
It certainly is a wonderful beach. It is a real gem in west Cork. I am happy to work with Deputy O'Sullivan and the elected members of Cork County Council to advance the project because it would be hugely exciting if we were in a position to develop a safe pedestrian and cycling access between Clonakilty and Inchydoney.
The returns that are made by local authorities are available, so we will get access to the records. It is important that everyone is held accountable for their use or non-use of public money, as the case may be. As I said at the outset, this is a tremendous opportunity provided through the funding available under the NDP and it is important that local authorities all over Ireland make maximum use of it.
88. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress on flooding project works for Ardcahan Bridge in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56471/22]
When the Bandon river floods at Ardcahan it causes a great deal of disruption for people trying to get to Dunmanway and west Cork and to mid-Cork. The R587, which is the key artery from mid-Cork into west Cork, is blocked when the river floods. There has been a great deal of talk for many years about advancing flood defences and improvement works in the area and much investigation has been done. Could the Minister outline the progress on it as we need to see headway on getting the flood defences improved?
In the first instance, local flooding is a matter for each local authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, local authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
As there is no application on hand in the OPW for the location mentioned in the Deputy's question, my office contacted Cork County Council and it has advised that the area around Ardcahan Bridge has a history of flooding, whereby the R587 frequently becomes impassable to road traffic. To alleviate flooding at the bridge, the council's Dunmanway area office approached the regional and local road design office to examine the possibility of removing silt around Ardcahan Bridge as part of bridge works. Consulting engineers were appointed to progress the project in 2019. To date, the detailed design of the repair works to the bridge are substantially complete and include: structural bridge investigations; the production of a preliminary design report; extensive 2D hydrological modelling has been carried out; and environmental surveys have been completed, which have fed into the draft Natura impact statement.
The consultants are aiming to have the Natura impact statement completed by the first quarter of 2023. Works will follow once statutory approvals are in place. Cork County Council will liaise with the Department of Transport under its annual bridge rehabilitation programme, in the first instance to fund these works. I will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport.
I thank the Minister of State for the overview. It is essential that headway is made on commencing the work. The Natura impact study was expected earlier this year, and it is frustrating and of concern for locals to hear that it will not be available until next year. I understand that Cork County Council is taking the lead role in the project. Once the various plans are ready, is there a possibility that the project could be fast-tracked through the planning services to ensure that work can advance as quickly as possible? We must also ensure that funding is in place to carry out the essential works. Has there been engagement on the matter?
As this is not a case where property is at risk, but where a road is concerned, it is therefore a matter for the Minister for Transport. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, has committed to speak to the Minister for Transport about the issue.
The area is located in a special area of conservation, SAC, and that makes it harder to get the consents. As to the question of whether it would be possible to have a fast track for planning, the only fast track that exists is emergency planning in case of bridge collapse or something like that. That is unlikely. I do not want to give the Deputy false hope there. As soon as the Natura impact statement is in, the council will be in a position to draw up its plans. There is no reason the council cannot progress matters. I think the design work is in place so there is no reason the council cannot pre-prepare its planning application and have a degree of parallelism such that it is ready to go when it gets its consent.
I thank the Minister of State. It is very disruptive when that area floods. A key artery into mid-Cork and west Cork is disrupted and there is a great deal of disruption for locals as well. I thank the Minister of State for the various details on it. It is hugely important every effort be made to advance that work as quickly as possible in the interests of locals. I acknowledge the work the council and the various Departments have been doing on it.
I will take the Deputy's thoughts to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. The estimated cost of the project is in the region of €150,000, to give an idea of the size of it. I appreciate the impact this has on people in Dunmanway and in the west Cork and central Cork areas.
90. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the implementation of the National Development Plan 2021-2030 and specifically in relation to NSO 3 of the Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56423/22]
What is the status of the implementation of the National Development Plan 2021-2030, with specific reference to NSO 3?
My role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform involves setting the allocations for capital expenditure across a number of Departments relevant to this NSO. This objective, as the Deputy knows, seeks to strengthen rural economies and communities. It applies to the traditional pillars of the rural economy as well as those emerging from such developments as improved transport connectivity, national broadband delivery, climate action and rural economic development. The sectoral strategies here include some important policy objectives and projects, such as Our Rural Future, the Town Centre First policy, Food Vision 2030, the Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage strategy, the Linking People and Places tourism strategy, and the national sports policy. An extensive number of projects are already being rolled out through the €1 billion rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF. As of the end of October the RRDF has allocated funding of €280 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €380 million. Examples of this include the Cahersiveen town centre regeneration project in County Kerry and the Cahir town centre regeneration project in County Tipperary. I congratulate the Deputy on the role he played in lobbying and securing funding for the project in Charleville town centre in the recent allocation.
Under the national broadband plan that commenced roll-out in 2020, some 1.1 million people living and working in over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms, along with almost 700 schools, will receive access to high-speed broadband. As of the end of October, over 97,000 premises can order or preorder high-speed broadband connections. More than 87,700 premises have been passed and are ready for immediate connection.
I thank the Minister for his engagement with the Charleville community, including Councillor Ian Doyle and the Charleville Chamber of Commerce, back in early September around the application for funding from the RRDF. It is a fantastic project worth €5.2 million and we hope it will be rolled out. There are a couple of issues. All these schemes are hugely beneficial to rural communities across the spectrum. Some rural communities got funding under the town and village renewal scheme and other schemes. Some of them started off two years ago at cost and now they have an allocation but that funding does not meet the cost of what they are trying to do. Is there a possibility of using unspent funding for 2022 to bolster the funding these communities got to give them an extra envelope of funding? It is important, especially for projects we could term shovel-ready that have planning and everything else but which need extra money because of the escalating cost of building.
That is an especially exciting project in Charleville and I was pleased to see it at first hand. I understand it will see the renovation of a number of vacant and derelict buildings in the heart of the town. Charleville courthouse will be renovated into a remote working hub and a currently vacant heritage building on Chapel Street will be converted into a new arts and community centre. In addition, an old HSE building in the town will be converted into the new home of the men's shed and the local snooker club. I again commend the Deputy, Councillor Doyle and others who made a contribution to securing that funding. I understand the Deputy's point about older allocations under schemes such as the town and village renewal scheme and the difficulties presented by the escalation of costs due to inflation. When it comes to individual projects, I ask that there be engagement with the relevant line Minister or that they be brought to my attention. If the projects are shovel-ready, we will certainly examine them and see what we can do.
I thank the Minister. He mentioned broadband. Some of the dates given are in 2024 or 2025 and the roll-out in particular areas has been brought back to 2023. Is there engagement with National Broadband Ireland, NBI, to see whether it can be further speeded up to ensure broadband for rural Ireland? It is the great enabler. There are great prospects for remote working and for companies to set up in rural Ireland, especially when so many people have decided to return to live there because of Covid. We have seen an expansion in our population and it is greatly welcomed. I ask the Minister to use his good offices to try to get us the broadband even faster, especially for areas where the date went back to mid-2023 when there had been talk about them being reached in early 2023. I would appreciate it if he could look at that.
I assure the Deputy that as a Government we recognise the importance and centrality of good broadband connectivity in rural Ireland. It is the great enabler in so many respects. In a post-Covid - if I can use that phrase - environment of remote and hybrid working, there are huge opportunities for towns and villages all over Ireland. The Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, as the line Minister with responsibility for the national broadband plan, has very regular engagement with all of the key stakeholders, including NBI and also Eir, which is a supplier to NBI. The Deputy may be assured that where an opportunity exists to accelerate the roll-out of this programme, it will be seized upon. There were naturally delays during the period of Covid-19 but every effort is being made by the Department, the Minister of State, NBI and those who work with it to fast-track the roll-out of the plan insofar as is possible. We know how important it is.
91. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will clarify the current position in awarding a contract for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme; the likely date when the contract will be awarded; when work is due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56367/22]
I am seeking clarification on the current position on awarding the contract for the Glashaboy flood relief scheme in Cork, the likely date for the award of the contract and when work is due to commence.
The Glashaboy River flood relief scheme in the Glanmire-Sallybrook area of Cork is being progressed by Cork City Council. The Office of Public Works, in partnership with Cork City Council, is engaging proactively to progress the flood relief scheme for Glanmire. The Glashaboy flood relief scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995.
The scheme is being funded from the €1.3 billion in flood relief measures under the national development plan to 2030 and as part of Project Ireland 2040.
The Glashaboy River flood relief scheme will protect 103 properties from a significant risk of flooding. The tender documentation for the procurement and appointment of a contractor was issued in September 2021 with a return date of 24 January 2022. Unfortunately, Cork City Council was not in a position to appoint a contractor for the works on foot of this procurement process.
Cork City Council is proceeding towards issuing updated tender documents in the coming weeks, however, with works scheduled to commence in quarter 2 of 2023. The key project partners are working to minimise the overall delay in the completion of these works.
The problem I have is that major flooding occurred on 28 June 2012. Houses had more than 6 ft. of water in them. We now have properties, businesses and private dwellings for which people cannot get insurance. The relief scheme was signed off back in January 2021. The whole process that occurred thereafter was too slow, however. When contractors were invited to send in tenders, the cost of doing this work went way up. The Minister of State said it would be a few weeks. I always get concerned about the use of that term because by the time the few weeks are over, costs will have gone up again. Is there any chance we can tie down specific dates for when invitations will be issued for tenders to be submitted, and a specific timeline for when tenders are submitted and agreement is reached on who is awarded the contract? I raised the issue of the time delay with the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts recently. It is a problem we are now running into.
I am assured by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform that funding for this project has been secured. That is definitive. Second, I understand that these 103 families are now facing the risk of flooding but also the fear that they cannot ensure their properties. I understand this is a matter of urgency.
The first tender process collapsed due to inflation problems, which I spoke to the Deputy about at the time. The whole framework for procurement has been changed to take into account and remove the inflation risk as far as possible. Cork City Council is now proceeding towards issuing updated tender documents in the coming weeks. The aim is that the works will commence by quarter 2 of 2023. That is the clear timeline for that. I will keep the Deputy updated as we go along.
Is the Minister of State confirming that the invitation for tendering will go out before Christmas? Will we have a timeline for when tenders have to be in and when a decision will be made about the awarding of the contract? Will that all be done by 31 March of the coming year?
We will take three more speakers before the Minister of State comes back in. I call Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan.
As the Minister of State will be aware, I have a question later on the schedule that is unlikely to be reached, but it is on the same subject. The reason I stand here this evening is that there is much misinformation in the public domain regarding this project. It is important, particularly for the residents and businesses in Glanmire, that the Minister of State gives clarity and certainty. He half gave that already with regard to Deputy Colm Burke's question. Could he clarify for the audience at home specifically what the red tape hold-ups are, however? Can he clarify what processes specifically need to be adhered to in terms of the tendering process as we go forward? Obviously, there are legal conditions that need to be fulfilled. I would appreciate if he could give clarity on what they are specifically. The Minister of State confirmed this to Deputy Colm Burke, and the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath met with residents. However, can the Minister of State confirm once more that the money is there for this project?
Glanmire flooded again recently, which affected businesses and homes. I was there on the night and saw the frustration and anger. The people and businesses in the community of Glanmire have been putting up with ten years of broken promises. They are sick of delays. This is like the Cork event centre. Every year, there is an announcement on flood protection for Glanmire but it is not delivered. They need flood protection now. They are facing into winter and every time there is a high tide or high rainfall is forecast, people in Glanmire cannot go to sleep at night. They are afraid to go to sleep because they could lose everything. The people affected have no flood insurance. Nothing has been done to protect them.
I spoke to a lovely retired couple who have lived in Glanmire for decades. They raised their family there. They are great neighbours. They are selling their home because they can no longer put up with the broken promises. The people of Glanmire need flood protection now.
I thank the Deputies. Behind every one of these flood relief schemes are tales of people who are going through the anxiety, financial damage and mental trauma of having to deal with risk to their family home and their finances. I can confirm that the money has been secured. I stand beside the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform to say that very clearly.
Unfortunately, the tender for the project went ahead during perhaps the worst period for a public procurement tender to happen during a period of rampant inflation. By the time the bids came in, none of the people who bid wanted to stand over their bids because the price of material had gone up so dramatically. Therefore, a new anti-inflationary framework has been put in place to deal with that in order that our public tenders can go ahead. It legally had to be put out to re-tender. It is a legal requirement that all public works contracts over a certain amount of money go out for tender. That is now being assessed by Cork City Council. The information I have is that it is scheduled to commence construction during quarter 2 of 2023. I cannot give a clearer or more definitive indication. The information I have is that the project will commence in quarter 2 of 2023.
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which public expenditure on the capital side remains vigorous and sufficient to meet demands and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56382/22]
This question seeks to ascertain the extent to which capital works can continue, and that sufficient funding remains available to ensure the progress of water, drainage, sewage and housing schemes throughout the country.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for allocating public funds across each area of Government spending and ensuring that expenditure is managed in line with these allocations by Departments. The National Development Plan 2021-2030, published last year, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to meeting Ireland’s infrastructure and investment needs over the medium-term horizon. The NDP provides €165 billion in public capital funding alongside a detailed and positive vision for Ireland up to 2030 as part of Project Ireland 2040.
In budget 2023, I announced an additional €800 million for capital infrastructure projects and programmes next year, which will be made available under the NDP for core capital spending to help in delivering the largest, greenest and most ambitious infrastructure plan in the history of the State. This represents a very substantial commitment of resources.
The Fiscal Monitor for October this year, published on 2 November, recorded gross capital expenditure of almost €5.5 billion to the end of October. The expenditure figure of €5.5 billion does not include capital carryover from 2021 spent in 2022. The amount of capital carryover spent to the end of October amounted to almost €750 million, giving an overall capital spend of just over €6.2 billion for this period. In year-on-year terms, gross capital expenditure is over €400 million higher, excluding capital carryover.
Capital expenditure by its nature tends to be lumpy, with a particularly high drawdown at year-end. It is, therefore, not unusual for Departments to record an underspend or overspend against profile throughout the year. There can be any number of reasons for projects to diverge from the profiles submitted at the beginning of the year, such as delays in planning, delays caused by the rising level of costs, supply chain disruptions, fuel costs and skilled labour shortages.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Will he continue to encourage his colleagues in various Departments to progress this as fast as possible? We always hear complaints about an inability to start a project because t's have not been crossed or i's dotted and some hold-up creates a problem.
These things are not always possible to resolve. Will the Minister keep a close watch on what is happening in the various areas that are most affected and can most benefit from the allocation he has made?
I thank the Deputy. I certainly will. It is an important part of our ongoing work. It is true to say that so far this year we have a significant underspend in capital. I think that will continue to year-end although it is difficult to predict what the precise amount will be. We will certainly have a substantial carry-forward of unspent capital this year into 2023. I am working very closely with colleagues to make sure that we streamline the process as best we can. There is a balance to be struck between having an assurance process and absolute compliance with public spending code rules, which we must do, and ensuring that projects continue to move forward and actually get done. The whole purpose of providing €12 billion next year is to get a lot of work done in our country that must be done in terms of building more homes, building schools, improving our healthcare infrastructure, and improving our public transport and road infrastructure to name a few. It is a great opportunity to get projects completed given the scale of funding that is now available under the national development plan.
I thank the Minister. I think his priorities are right. It is most important to ensure that works already earmarked for progress in the near future start. If they do not start, they cannot conclude. My strong recommendation is that the Minister continues in his role across Departments to encourage them to speed everything up.
Given the amount of ambition and indeed the need that is there across our country for investment in all of the areas I have already mentioned and others, we do have to make sure we deliver. It is about delivery. The budget is in place. We are at almost a unique point in our history where when it comes to capital expenditure, funding is not the greatest constraint. The greatest constraint is the capacity to deliver. That can manifest itself in a number of ways. We have to strike the right balance, ensuring that we have due process, proper project appraisal in advance and value for money at all times, and ensuring above all else that we get the projects done and secure completion of vital projects to improve the quality of life of our people, fundamentally to provide homes for our people and also, from an economic point of view, to make sure we are competitive by continuing to invest in and improve our infrastructure. I thank the Deputy for a really pertinent question. It is an ongoing part of our work.
93. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress which has been made by the steering group to advance the flood mitigation works at Ballycar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56453/22]
I wish to ask the Minister the progress which has been made by the steering group to advance the flood mitigation works at Ballycar in County Clare. My Government colleague, Deputy Carey, would like to come in on this one as well.
I am informed that a flood alleviation options assessment for flooding at Ballycar Lough was initiated by Iarnród Éireann and was completed by consultant engineers RPS in December 2020. This assessment study built on previous reports of 2011 and 2015 commissioned by Iarnród Éireann. Having considered all various options, the assessment study recommends a new preferred option of a technically viable drainage scheme that would prevent flooding of the railway occurring while also including any flood mitigation measures downstream that would be necessary either directly or indirectly with this option.
The Office of Public Works, OPW, has engaged constructively with both Clare County Council and Iarnród Éireann over recent years in relation to the flooding problem at Ballycar and has participated in a meeting on the matter convened by the council in 2014 and participated on a steering group from 2018 to 2020 comprised of Clare County Council, Geological Survey Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Iarnród Éireann, in relation to the new preferred option.
The selection of the new preferred option was based on the hydrological, hydraulic environmental impact assessments, mainly ecology, geology and hydrogeology, and costs of each option. The primary benefits of the measures identified in the assessment are derived from the protection of Iarnród Éireann infrastructure and accordingly it is with Iarnród Éireann, as the key stakeholder, to lead and pursue the resolution of the railway line flooding problem and to secure funding for the proposed project. The OPW will continue to work with Iarnród Éireann and the other steering group stakeholders in addressing the problems on the rail line at Ballycar. In response to a recent contact from the Department of Transport, my office has indicated that it is available to meet on the matter.
I thank the Minister of State. I take issue with the answer. He has said Irish Rail is to lead on this project. The solution to this serious issue is a couple of kilometres away from the rail track and really it should be with the OPW and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Confidence will be lost in the service between Limerick and Galway if this floods. We had 2.5 times the normal rainfall just in October and it is not unlikely that we will see flooding on this line like we saw back in 2014 and 2015. If that happens, the service will be knocked out for anything between seven and 15 weeks, perhaps even longer. I am afraid to say that this has been passed from Department to Department and back again. The report is there now over two years and it seems that nobody wants to take ownership of this issue. It will be very detrimental to our ambitions to enhance public transport between cities and across the country if we allow this to happen and do not act now to prevent the flooding of the line.
There were five options recommended by the assessment study. The first was removing underground restriction between the swallow hole and spring and ancillary works. The second was attenuation of some flows at Rossroe and Fin loughs. The third was diverting the Rossroe Lough sub-catchment flow towards the Ratty river catchment along with removing the underground restriction between the swallow hole and the spring. The fourth was raising the existing railway embankment in the vicinity of Ballycar Lough. The fifth was pumping of flood flows from the swallow hole to the spring. Option 2, attenuation of some flows at Rossroe and Fin loughs, along with removal of restriction between the swallow hole and spring and ancillary works, was the one that was identified in the report and is the preferred option.
The next stage is for funding to be obtained. The indicative duration of the project would be between seven and ten years. It is not a straightforward project. The primary purpose of the project is to protect the railway line between two cities, as the Deputy says, Limerick and Galway. It is recognised that this connection has been interrupted on a large number of occasions over the last decade.
I acknowledge that it is a long-term project. The situation at the moment is that responsibility for the project is being passed between different Departments. That is a problem. We are two years in now and nothing has been done. A recent parliamentary question I submitted to the Department of Transport passed the buck again over to the OPW. Now we are hearing the buck being passed back again. It is not acceptable because if it keeps going on we are going to get flooding on the line. Everybody will accept a solution that takes seven to ten years to finish out but they will not accept it if nothing is being done when it can be done. We are losing years and have lost two already. A solution has been identified. It is a critical piece of infrastructure. We cannot afford to lose confidence in the service between Limerick, Ennis and Galway. That is what will happen if we do not act on this as soon as possible.
I thank Deputy Leddin for putting forward this question. It is an issue we have both worked on. We have had meetings with the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. There really needs to be a coming together. Why not have a joint venture between both Departments? There is an identified solution there. It was originally costing €20 million. Both the Minister and the Minister of State will be aware of the fact that all these prices are escalating. The quicker we do it the better value for money we will get. We are ignoring the problem. I put in a parliamentary question last week to the Department of Transport. It is pointing at the OPW. It is literally pass the parcel. We need a solution to this. One has been identified. Both Departments need to get behind it and fund the option. The Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy has been published.
It hangs on the need to invest in rail. A rail spur to Shannon Airport is identified in that and various rail stations have been identified. This is a key link between Ennis, Limerick and Galway so the matter needs to be rectified. There is a solution and we need both Departments to fix it.
The Deputies have done the right thing in meeting both Departments. It is a key role of all politicians to broker agreement between different parties. The view of the OPW is that it is acting in an advisory role. Deputy Leddin is telling me the Department of Transport is saying it is an OPW job. We have all been in this situation before. I will bring the Deputies' comments back to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan. It is a multimillion-euro project of between seven and ten years so it cannot happen quickly. I hear the Deputies and I will take their comments to the Minister of State and the Minister.
94. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the likely timescale for the launch of the PEACE PLUS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56398/22]
The different PEACE programmes and the INTERREG programme have been extremely beneficial to communities across the Border region, North and South. Not alone have they been beneficial but they have been essential. They have brought economic, social and community development benefits and many of these areas still need that type of investment. I sincerely hope it will be possible to have the new scheme rolled out as soon as possible because many communities and statutory agencies I am working with are preparing plans to draw down funding for worthwhile programmes.
I thank the Deputy for the consistent and personal interest he has taken in the PEACE PLUS programme, which is so important to the Border counties and Northern Ireland. I am pleased that this new cross-Border programme is at its final stage of development as a successor to the EU's INTERREG and peace programmes. With an unprecedented funding allocation of some €1.1 billion, PEACE PLUS will support shared peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the Border counties over the remainder of this decade.
The draft PEACE PLUS programme has been developed by the Special EU Programmes Body, SEUPB, working closely with my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, and has been approved by the Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the North-South Ministerial Council. The draft programme was formally approved and adopted by the European Commission in July 2022. The final required element of programme development is the completion of a financing agreement between the EU, the UK and Ireland in order to formalise respective financial contributions to the new programme. By way of context, this had not been a requirement for previous iterations of the INTERREG and PEACE programmes, as the UK was then an EU member state. Work on this draft agreement is now well advanced. Engagement is ongoing between the three parties in order to finalise the text of the draft agreement over the coming weeks. The agreement will then have to be ratified by the three parties. It is anticipated that this process will be completed in time for the first calls for funding applications under PEACE PLUS to issue during quarter 1 of next year.
I must also commend the programme of pre-development support for PEACE PLUS which is being delivered by the SEUPB. This is ensuring that potential applicants can deliver high-quality applications once funding calls open.
I thank the Minister for his answer and commend him on his work. He has been driving this programme forward and I thank him for engaging with me so often on this new and exciting PEACE programme that will deliver €1.1 billion in investment across this island, particularly in the Border counties, North and South. I mention some of the suggestions I brought to the Minister on working with the SEUPB, statutory agencies and community groups in my constituency and the Minister has provided for the type of issues we were hoping would be addressed.
I welcome the Minister's statement that the EU has approved the draft programme. Hopefully, within a number of weeks it will be possible to put the final stamp of approval on it. I ask the Minister to give us an assurance that the preparatory work that statutory agencies and community groups have been engaged in will be allowed to continue so that no time is lost while we await a final approval in a few weeks' time.
That is a crucial point because there is a lot of human capital and a great deal of experience and expertise within the system - the SEUPB and the local authorities - and we need to protect and harness that. I had an opportunity on two occasions earlier this year to visit Northern Ireland and different projects that received funding under INTERREG 5A and PEACE IV. I visited Belfast in March and Derry in June, where I saw up close the transport hub and the Waterside shared village project. There are so many exciting projects in the Border counties, including in Cavan-Monaghan, the constituency the Deputy represents, that will benefit from the programme which has been agreed. The final piece of the jigsaw is the financing agreement and I assure the Deputy that the pre-application support work is continuing. I look forward to final approval of the financing agreement and then a formal launch of this programme whereby it can open up for applications.
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that spending across all Departments remains in line with projections, while retaining the capability of responding to emergencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56381/22]
245. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied that levels of public expenditure in Ireland are adequately proofed to ensure the best outcome for the Exchequer and the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56677/22]
These questions seek to ascertain the extent to which the Minister remains satisfied that spending across all Departments remains in line with projections but, at the same time, we retain the capability of responding to emergencies that may arise.
I propose to take Nos. 11 and 245 together.
Total gross voted expenditure to the end of October amounted to €66.531 billion, which is €80 million, or 0.1%, below profile overall. Gross voted current expenditure of €61.055 billion is €1.262 billion, or 2.1%, ahead of profile. Gross voted capital expenditure of €5.476 billion is €1.342 billion, or almost 20%, below profile. There have been a number of developments this year which have an impact on the level of current expenditure. These include the extension of the Building Momentum pay agreement, the response to the cost-of-living crisis, the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and the ongoing recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The position of the gross voted current expenditure in some of the major spending Departments is as follows. The Department of Social Protection is ahead of profile by €517 million. The position is mostly reflective of the payment of some of the cost-of-living measures in October, which were announced as part of the budget in late September but not included in the 2022 profile. Gross current expenditure in the Department of Health is €581 million ahead of profile. This is largely due to higher Covid-19 related expenditure than anticipated, due to the Omicron wave and the pandemic recognition payment. Gross current expenditure in the Department of Education is €168 million ahead of profile, mostly due to increased costs associated with the substitutions and payments of Covid-19 supports to schools for term three, as well as increased escort payments for school transport.
I can go through all the different Departments. We already had a discussion on capital expenditure but if the Deputy has a particular question, I will do my best to answer it.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I have a general question. The Minister is fully conversant with the situation but there may be emergencies this year, such as floods, storms, coastal erosion and any number of issues that may arise. I assure him that the House will support all measures required in emergencies, whatever they may be and whatever their nature.
I reassure the Deputy and the House that we will always provide the resources necessary to respond to emergencies. Be it a flooding event or any other major humanitarian issue that arises, we will always step in and provide the necessary support. In adopting budget 2023 we have a strong fiscal framework and we are projecting a significant surplus next year. As the Deputy knows, we are in a position to put €6 billion into a national reserve between now and the end of next year.
While there are undoubtedly global economic headwinds that will have an impact on Ireland, we are coming into this period in a position of strength.
We have the public finances in a healthy state, which gives us the capacity to respond across next year to the type of scenarios that the Deputy outlined and indeed others that may arise in an unforeseen way.
