Written Answers Nos. 26-34
26. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he intends to take to review the valuation process in relation to business rates, with particular reference to enhancing the appeals process which prevents a business which has been assessed in error from being reviewed, if the original applicant did not appeal it in the first instance. [41289/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter to which the Deputy refers is provided for in the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 which was approved for publication by the Government on 3rd August and the primary purpose of which is to introduce amendments to the legislation which underpins the rateable valuation system on which commercial rates are collected.
Among the new features in the Bill, the circumstances outlined by the Deputy are addressed in a provision that where a revision manager decides not to revise a valuation on the basis that a material change of circumstances which warrants the carrying out of a revision has not occurred, the occupier has a right to make representations to the Commissioner of Valuation within 40 days of the revision manager’s decision and the Commissioner may, depending on the particular circumstances, amend the valuation or any other detail appearing on the list that in the opinion of the Commissioner is inaccurate.
27. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to maintain frontline services in view of his plans for targeted voluntary redundancies in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43500/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to maintain frontline services in view of his plans for targeted voluntary redundancies in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra34. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on reports that he intends to seek a further 10,000 redundancies by 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43361/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 29 and 34 together.
The Government is committed to reducing the size of the Public Service and to creating, leaner more efficient Public Service. At mid 2012 Public Service numbers were around 292,000. This is 28,000 below the peak numbers level of 320,000 in 2008 and is comparable to the 2005 staffing levels. Service levels have been largely maintained, and in fact increased in some areas, notwithstanding these considerable staff reductions due to increased productivity/workplace flexibilities.
The Government agreed last July in order to maximise paybill savings to accelerate the programme of staff reductions. It was also noted at that time that where staff surpluses are identified a targeted voluntary redundancy (VR) scheme would be implemented. The Government decision of the 2nd of October confirmed that a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme would be made available for targeted areas throughout the Public Service.
Identification of staff surpluses is under way. My Ministerial colleagues are actively examining particular works areas, bodies, locations or grades at which voluntary redundancy can be targeted. Of course there will be full regard for the skills needs and priorities of Departments now and into the future during this process. I would stress that there will be no automatic right to redundancy and all applications will be subject to ongoing business needs. Final decisions on numbers reductions to be achieved in each sector will take account of the surpluses identified by Ministers in respect of their portfolios and of expected rates of retirements in those sectors over the next few years. The reports that the Government intends to seek 10,000 redundancies are incorrect and are not helpful.
28. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the anticipated total cost to the Exchequer of public sector pay increments in 2013; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning €50,000 to €60,000; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning €60,000 to €70,000; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning €70,000 to €80,000; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning €80,000 to €90,000; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning €90,000 to €100,000; the amount of this figure applies to public servants currently earning €100,000 to €120,000; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning €120,000 to €140,000; the amount of this figure that applies to public servants currently earning in excess of €140,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43241/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated full year cost of increments for 2013 in the public service (excluding the Local Authority sector) is some €170m.
The following information was provided under Standing Order 40A
I refer to my reply to Question No. 32625/12 of 4 July 2012.
31. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reduce pensions paid to former office holders. [43486/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of reforms have been introduced in relation to Public Service pension entitlements which affect Ministerial pensions. Under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, Ministerial pensions are not payable to new Oireachtas Members (as defined in the Act) before 65 years of age and, under the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 2009, Ministerial pensions are no longer payable to sitting Members of the Oireachtas following the last general election, or to Members of the European Parliament following the next elections to the Parliament.
Public Service pensions for former Ministers who retire after February 2012 will be reduced in line with the substantial pay reductions applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts, and for those who retired before the end of February the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) applies. I provided for an increase in the rate of PSPR that applies to pensions in excess of €100,000 to 20% of the excess amount, effective from 1 January of this year.
Furthermore, the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 introduced a new Single Public Service Pension Scheme with a new minimum pension age of 66, rising in due course with the age at which the State Pension (Contributory) will become payable. This will apply to all new Members of the Oireachtas, including new entrant Ministers, as defined in the Act. This Act also provides that pensions for all Public Servants who are subject to the Act will be based on career average earnings, as opposed to the current final salary basis.
It is important to point out that legal advice from the Attorney General says that it is possible to apply proportionate reductions to existing pensions, as has been done to date in the FEMPI legislation. However, account must be taken of the fact that pension benefits are considered to be property rights, which limits the action that can be taken.
32. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on his review of the grading structure of the civil service and public service; and if he intends to reduce the number of management grades. [43492/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Public Service Reform Plan my Department is reviewing the grading structure of the Civil Service. The review will examine the number and distribution of management grades across the Civil Service, the percentage of the pay bill accounted for by such grades and taking account of organisational needs and best practice, assess the scope to reduce the number of management grades. Preliminary work has been commenced on the review and, in line with the Reform Plan, it will be completed by end June 2013.
The review of the grading structure in other sectors of the Public Service is a matter for the relevant parent Department in each case.
33. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on any recent discussions he has had with the social partners. [43029/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the Second Annual Report from the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement Implementation Body in June last, together with the Taoiseach I met with the Body on 11 July. The Deputy will be aware the Body's membership includes representatives from the Public Services Committee of ICTU.
We took the opportunity to emphasise the need to accelerate the implementation of the various initiatives under the Public Service Agreement and to fully utilise the provisions of the Agreement to secure efficiencies and reforms.
I also hold periodic meetings with trade union leaders and officials of my Department meet with stakeholders including representatives of public service trade unions on a regular basis as part of routine consultation in the context of the implementation of the Agreement and the broader public service reform agenda.
In recent weeks the Government requested further proposals for savings and reforms from Ministers under the Agreement and those proposals are currently being examined. In this context the Taoiseach and I will be meeting with the Implementation Body again shortly as part of that process.
