Thursday, 20 Jun 2013

Written Answers Nos. 113 - 122

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (113)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

113. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for managing the State's portfolio of property assets in order to secure a reduction in the State's property bill in respect of leasehold and rental expenditure; if he will list all properties rented by the State which are subject to an upward-only rent review clause; the total annual rental payment in respect of each such property; the date of the next review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29785/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

A key priority of the Commissioners of Public Works is to optimise accommodation to facilitate Government Departments in delivering public services efficiently and effectively, and to ensure that property costs are minimised. Policies are under constant review to ensure the best outcomes in meeting the operational requirements of client Departments in terms of location, size, cost, sustainability and that particular operational needs are delivered. New initiatives in this regard include the development of a new standard office workplace specification and a review of office space allocation norms.

In recent years there have been substantial changes within the Civil Service in terms of numbers of employees, departmental and agency breakdown and in changing locational needs. The Commissioners have shifted focus to rationalisation of the existing property portfolio to address the reduced demand for office space. There is a time lag between the reduction in demand for space and the disposal of surplus space, particularly in the current poor market. Notwithstanding this, The Commissioners have succeeded in reducing the office property footprint every year since 2008, by a total of almost 1 million sq.ft. (c. 88,000 m.sq.) This ongoing programme of rationalisation has also driven down annual rental expenditure by almost €30m since 2009.

The table schedules the current live leases held by the Commissioners of Public Works where an ‘Upward Only’ rent review clause is applicable.

LOCATION	PROPERTY	RENT PA	NEXT REVIEW
ARKLOW	Arklow Prob & Welfare Serv	€19,046.07	N/A
BALBRIGGAN	Balbriggan Passport Office	€390,000.00	24-Jan-14
BALLINA	Ballina Road Safety HQ	€121,250.00	28-Feb-17
BALLINA	Ballina Road Safety HQ	€121,937.50	28-Feb-17
BALLYSHANNON	Ballyshannon Maritime Office	€25,000.00	N/A
BANTRY	Bantry SWO - 7 Main Street	€24,000.00	N/A
BORRISOKANE	Borrisokane GS	€14,000.00	01-May-18
BRAY	Block D Bray Civic Centre	€471,541.36	N/A
CABINTEELY	Cabinteely GS	€34,000.00	N/A
CARLOW	Carlow Temp Decent Off (D/ETE)	€369,436.00	06-Jul-17
CARRICK ON SHANNON	Carrick-on-Shannon Dcnt SWO	€800,000.00	N/A
CARRIGALINE	Carrigaline DSFA Office	€103,940.00	01-Jan-18
CASTLEBAR	Castlebar Prob/Welfare Service	€38,259.80	N/A
CORK	Cork C&E Centre Park House	€110,000.00	N/A
CORK	Cork Gov Off Doughcloyne	€42,158.41	01-Apr-17
CORK	Cork SWO - ESB Premises	€120,000.00	N/A
CORK	Cork Marine Office	€58,500.00	N/A
CORK	Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg	€61,448.00	N/A
CORK	Cork Environment Office	€76,773.52	N/A
CORK	Cork C&E Centre Park House	€43,940.00	N/A
CORK	Cork C&E Centre Park House	€41,400.00	N/A
CORK	Cork Gov Off Irish Life Bldg	€69,914.52	N/A
CORK	Cork C&E Centre Park House	€48,000.00	N/A
CRUSHEEN	Crusheen GS	€25,000.00	N/A
DROGHEDA	Drogheda Prob & Wel Serv	€66,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 01	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	€672,175.55	29-Apr-17
DUBLIN 01	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	€1,206,096.51	09-Apr-17
DUBLIN 01	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	€994,569.76	29-Apr-17
DUBLIN 01	Capel Street 89 -94	€689,321.76	01-Jun-16
DUBLIN 01	Gardiner Street Upper 77 CWS	€201,190.00	N/A
DUBLIN 01	Irish Life Centre	€900,000.00	01-Mar-15
DUBLIN 01	Irish Life Centre	€1,110,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 01	Parnell Sq 16	€1,493,644.72	01-Jul-17
DUBLIN 01	Abbey Street Upper 26 - 30	€211,542.00	29-Apr-17
DUBLIN 01	Great Strand St Millennium Hse	€265,675.00	04-Apr-15
DUBLIN 01	Kings Inn House SWO & ESO	€208,275.00	21-Dec-17
DUBLIN 01	Kings Inn House SWO & ESO	€558,200.00	21-Dec-17
DUBLIN 02	Bishops Square	€1,495,500.00	04-Jan-17
DUBLIN 02	Bishops Square	€1,525,000.00	04-Jan-17
DUBLIN 02	Bishops Square	€1,120,000.00	04-Jan-17
DUBLIN 02	Clare Street 12	€112,500.00	11-Jan-15
DUBLIN 02	Clonmel Street [Clonmel Place]	€804,500.00	01-May-14
DUBLIN 02	East Essex Street Dolphin Hous	€655,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Ely Place 7-8 Ely Court	€730,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Harcourt St Harcourt Cntre Blk	€228,500.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Harcourt Sq Garda	€1,300,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Harcourt Sq Garda	€1,832,500.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Harcourt Sq Garda	€1,278,800.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Harcourt Sq Garda	€417,250.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Holles Street Holbrook House	€174,000.00	31-Jan-15
DUBLIN 02	Harcourt Road Dun Sceine	€850,000.00	22-Apr-15
DUBLIN 02	Lombard St East 8 - 11 Joyce H	€560,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Fenian Street Car Park	€32,750.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Molesworth Bldg Setanta Cntre	€114,388.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Molesworth Bldg Setanta Cntre	€1,145,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Mount St Lr 73-79 Ballaugh Hou	€612,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Mount St Upr 36	€200,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Leeson Street Lower Ossory Hou	€900,000.00	31-Dec-14
DUBLIN 02	Earlsfort Terrace Earl Ctr Blk	€150,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	Adelaide Road 29-31	€2,970,000.00	23-Dec-17
DUBLIN 02	Revenue Castleview Georges st	€1,827,522.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	St Stephens Gr 94	€612,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 02	St Stephens Gr 94	€408,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 04	Shelbourne Rd 21Shelbourne Hse	€1,018,000.00	08-May-14
DUBLIN 04	Waterloo Road St Martins House	€570,000.00	08-May-17
DUBLIN 05	Raheny DTC	€60,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 07	Bow Street 31-35	€450,000.00	15-Nov-15
DUBLIN 07	North Circular Road Park House	€92,778.00	N/A
DUBLIN 07	Navan Road Ashtowngate Block B	€254,401.00	01-Feb-17
DUBLIN 07	Nth King St 90 Georges Court	€1,353,509.00	01-Apr-14
DUBLIN 07	Nth King St 90 Georges Court	€655,940.00	15-Dec-13
DUBLIN 07	Smithfield Off of Film Class	€255,955.00	08-Jan-14
DUBLIN 08	Mountshannon Rd Fur Br Off Blo	€460,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 08	Conyngham Road Phoenix House	€365,000.00	08-Feb-14
DUBLIN 08	Garden Lane Prob/Welfare Off	€55,980.00	01-Apr-16
DUBLIN 08	The Chancery Building	€543,880.00	15-Dec-16
DUBLIN 09	Airways Industrial Estate	€290,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 10	Ballyfermot Prob & Wel Service	€39,500.00	N/A
DUBLIN 11	Finglas Prob&Welfare Service	€66,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 11	Finglas Driv Test Ctr+Rev Stor	€45,520.15	N/A
DUBLIN 11	Finglas Driv Test Ctr+Rev Stor	€42,479.85	N/A
DUBLIN 11	Jamestown Bus Park W/house	€120,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 11	Finglas Finance Storage	€72,500.00	01-Jan-18
DUBLIN 11	Finglas Driving Test Yard	€120,000.00	01-Jan-16
DUBLIN 12	Park West Business Park	€212,585.90	01-Sep-16
DUBLIN 12	Park West Ind Est Unit 4	€180,000.00	01-Jun-14
DUBLIN 15	Blanchardstown Gov Off	€638,678.25	N/A
DUBLIN 18	Sandyford Furze Road	€255,000.00	N/A
DUBLIN 22	Clondalkin SWO Ninth Lock Rd	€215,000.00	07-Sep-14
DUBLIN 24	Tallaght PIAB	€188,553.75	30-Apr-14
DUBLIN 24	Tallaght Gda Vehicle Pound	€1,051,020.41	N/A
DUN LAOGHAIRE	Dun Laoghaire Prob&Welfare Ser	€85,999.36	N/A
DUNLAVIN	Dunlavin GS + MQ	€10,500.00	N/A
ENNISCORTHY	Enniscorthy SWO Portsmouth Hse	€25,000.00	N/A
FERMOY	Fermoy SWO - Connolly Street	€9,000.00	N/A
GALWAY	Galway Irish Water Safety	€41,722.00	01-Feb-15
GALWAY	Galway Prob & Wel Serv	€34,274.04	N/A
GALWAY	Galway Prob & Wel Serv	€27,068.28	N/A
GALWAY	Galway Gov Off Hynes Building	€222,425.00	01-Jul-15
GALWAY	Galway Liosbaun Garda Unit 1B	€25,987.50	N/A
KILLARNEY	Killarney D.T.C	€40,000.00	N/A
KILRUSH	Kilrush Decentral.Revenue Off.	€85,050.00	05-Jul-17
LETTERKENNY	Letterkenny Driving Test Centr	€15,000.00	N/A
LIMERICK	Limerick Gov Off Houston Hall	€373,568.00	01-May-15
LIMERICK	Limerick Decent Off DFA	€900,000.00	01-Dec-13
LISTOWEL	Listowel Revenue Office	€244,923.70	31-Jul-17
LOUGHREA	Galway Millenium House	€19,407.50	N/A
LOUGHREA	Loughrea Trans & RSA Temp Off	€31,225.00	N/A
LOUGHREA	Loughrea Trans & RSA Temp Off	€56,187.50	N/A
LOUGHREA	Loughrea Trans & RSA Temp Off	€51,837.50	N/A
MALAHIDE	Malahide SWO	€15,871.73	N/A
MONAGHAN	Monaghan Drainage Workshops	€32,500.00	N/A
MOYNE	Moyne Wildlife Office	€9,500.00	N/A
NAAS	Naas Agric Off - Poplar House	€95,696.00	N/A
NAAS	Naas SWO - Rathasker Square	€23,000.00	N/A
NAAS	Naas Millennium Park	€119,163.00	05-Sep-16
NAVAN	Navan SWO	€230,000.00	01-Aug-17
NAVAN	Navan Gov Off Kilcairn	€573,700.00	28-Sep-16
NAVAN	Navan Athlumney House	€439,921.00	15-Dec-17
NAVAN	Navan Revenue Abbey Mall	€575,360.00	25-Dec-17
NENAGH	Nenagh Justice Office	€36,270.00	01-Jul-13
NEWCASTLEWEST	Newcastlewest Prob/Wel Office	€39,613.16	N/A
PORTARLINGTON	Portarlington Decentral Office	€73,500.00	01-Dec-16
PORTLAOISE	Portlaoise Agric Warehouse	€107,919.25	01-Dec-14
PORTLAOISE	Portlaoise DAF Appeals Office	€84,051.49	01-Jun-18
PORTLAOISE	Portlaoise Agri Records	€98,133.16	10-Dec-17
PORTLAOISE	Portlaoise Agri Gandon Court	€70,500.00	14-Mar-14
PORTLAOISE	Portlaoise Agri Gandon Court	€76,050.00	22-May-15
PORTLAOISE	Portlaoise Agri Gandon Court	€67,245.00	01-Jul-15
ROSCREA	Roscrea Civil Defence Office	€178,825.00	01-Sep-14
ROSCREA	Roscrea Civil Defence Office	€25,000.00	01-Sep-14
ROSCREA	Roscrea Equality Auth Office	€152,000.00	31-Mar-14
ROSSLARE HARBOUR	Rosslare Harbour Government Of	€79,206.26	N/A
ROSSLARE HARBOUR	Rosslare Harbour Government Of	€10,860.00	N/A
SLIGO	Sligo Customs and Excise Store	€17,000.00	N/A
SLIGO	Sligo Gov Off-Westward Town Cn	€53,250.00	N/A
SLIGO	Sligo Gov Office Marino House	€57,642.00	N/A
SLIGO	Lough Arrow Field Study Centre	€33,430.00	N/A
SLIGO	Sligo Gov Office Marino House	€57,640.15	N/A
SWINFORD	Swinford DSFA Office	€17,500.00	N/A
SWORDS	Swords Gov Office	€390,000.00	16-Sep-15
SWORDS	Swords Agricultural Inspectors	€8,253.30	N/A
SWORDS	Swords Gov Office	€231,443.68	28-Sep-15
SWORDS	Swords Gov Office	€173,226.50	28-Sep-20
TRALEE	Tralee Agric Warehouse	€18,324.86	01-Jul-15
TULLAMORE	Tullamore SWO Castle Buildings	€204,044.80	N/A
WATERFORD	Waterford RSA Test Centre	€40,000.00	N/A
WATERFORD	Waterford RSA Test Centre	€156,000.00	01-Mar-17
WATERFORD	Waterford Agri Belview	€13,220.00	N/A

Public Expenditure Statistics

Ceisteanna (114)

Seán Fleming

Ceist:

114. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the outturn for Exchequer capital spending in each year from 2008 to 2012, inclusive; the Revised Estimate for Exchequer capital spending in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29786/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the years 2008 to 2013 can be found on the databank website hosted by my Department, http://databank.per.gov.ie/. The databank contains a comprehensive set of data on public expenditure in Ireland. The capital allocation for 2014, as published in the Revised Book of Estimates, is €3,229 million.

As the Deputy is aware, the Exchequer capital plan has, by necessity, been reduced in recent years to contribute to fiscal consolidation. However, it is important to note that since the publication of “Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2012-2016: Medium Term Exchequer Framework” in November 2011 no further cuts have been made to the capital programme. That publication was the result of a major review of capital expenditure. It prioritised investment in infrastructure which would be most beneficial to supporting economic growth, thereby supporting sustainable employment growth in the medium term, meeting urgent social needs and maintaining our existing stock of infrastructure. It also took account of the fact that €70 billion had been invested in the previous decade.

At the time of publication of the report I noted that, should a funding source become available, there was much more that I wanted to deliver through investment in infrastructure. The deal I negotiated with the Troika with regard to the proceeds from the sale of State assets and the recovery of the PPP market are allowing us to now progress additional projects which we could not include in the 5 year framework.

In July 2012, I announced a Stimulus Plan of €2.25bn, comprising a €1.4bn PPP programme and an Exchequer element of €850m. The latter is to be funded from some of the proceeds from the sale of State assets and the new licencing arrangement for the National Lottery. On 5th June, as a follow up to last year’s Stimulus Plan, I announced Exchequer investment of €150m to fund school building projects, local and regional road maintenance and retrofitting of Local Authority housing. This €150m investment is additional to that included in the existing budget. I expect that approximately €70 million of this additional funding will be spent this year, with most of the remainder being spent in 2014 and a small amount in 2015.

Departmental Properties

Ceisteanna (115)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

115. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Office of Public Works taking a castle (details supplied) in County Donegal into State care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29887/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brian Hayes)

I believe that the process to transfer this castle into State care reached an advanced stage in 2005. At that point all action required by the State in the matter had been undertaken. It is my understanding that the landowner decided at that point not to proceed with the transfer of ownership.

There are currently no plans to bring Northburg Castle into State care and the 2013 budget for conservation works at national monument sites has already been allocated.

Haddington Road Agreement Issues

Ceisteanna (116)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which the Haddington Road agreement will contribute to the targets set by his Department across each Government body or agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29934/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

Public service trade unions are currently considering the various proposals put forward under the Haddington Road Agreement and those unions and associations that need to ballot their members are in the process of doing so ahead of the implementation date of 1 July. The composition of the savings arising can only be finalised when the results of the various ballots are known.

However, the measures set out in the Agreement will enable the Government to achieve the targeted savings of approximately €300 million in the public service pay and pensions bill in 2013, including savings on Local Government. Furthermore, it is estimated that the measures set out in the Haddington Road Agreement will reduce the public service pay and pensions bill by €1 billion by the end of the Agreement.

The Revised Estimates Volume was published on the basis of the previous Labour Relations Commission (LRC) recommendations, prior to the recent re-engagement between the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and the Trade Unions. These recommendations were, at the time, the most appropriate means of achieving the savings required and it was important that the relevant Oireachtas Committees could begin the process of examining the Vote allocations for 2013.

While the recommendations set out in Haddington Road Agreement have changed since the previous LRC recommendations, the pay allocations for individual Votes based on the implementation of these recommendations remain largely the same.

Public Expenditure Statistics

Ceisteanna (117)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which costs have been reduced by means, other than wages or salary cuts, across each Department in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which this corresponds with targets set in the troika agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29935/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

The Government continues to make good progress on achieving all of our deficit targets and priorities, as articulated in the Government Programme. We are bringing public expenditure back onto a sustainable path and driving forward the public service reform agenda to ensure that efficiencies and reformed work practices play a full part in contributing to the overall budgetary consolidation effort which is essential to achieving our annual deficit targets. To date, all quantitative fiscal targets set as part of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support have been met in full.

Since this Government was established in 2011, a medium-term expenditure management process began with a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure exercise. This exercise was carried out by all Departments in order to identify ways of reducing expenditure in line with commitments under the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland, while minimising the impact on service delivery.

Following on from this, the Ministerial expenditure ceilings for 2012 - 2014 were introduced on an administrative basis in the Comprehensive Expenditure Report, published in December 2011. The CRE exercise forms the foundation of these ceilings and is the basis for all subsequent decisions on expenditure.

The Expenditure Report 2013 was published on 5 December 2012 and includes further well-specified expenditure savings measures across every area of Government spending. While these structural economic and budgetary reforms that the Government is delivering will bring a return to prosperity and growth over the medium term, the current international economic position combined with the high levels of uncertainty across the world’s financial market will require Ireland to maintain fiscal discipline into 2014.

For a detailed breakdown of Exchequer pay and non-pay spending by Departments, I would refer the Deputy to the Databank available from my Department’s website which can be found at http://databank.per.gov.ie/.

Public Sector Staff Data

Ceisteanna (118)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which employment in the public sector has been reduced in line with troika agreement; the degree to which this has achieved the savings targets set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29936/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

As the Deputy is aware the development of a leaner, more efficient public service is a key element of the Programme for Government and there are annual targets for achieving this. These annual targets have been met each year since the Government came to power. These targets also form part of our commitments under the EU-IMF programme.

Historical data on public service staff numbers and exchequer pay is available on my Department’s website (http://databank.per.gov.ie/).

Ministerial Responsibilities

Ceisteanna (119)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

119. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has brought in new guidelines to allow for a record to be kept of ministerial involvement with an issue and any decisions taken as per the commitment made in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29954/13]

120. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has kept an accessible record of ministerial involvement with an issue and any decisions taken as per the commitment made in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29974/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.

The Programme for Government contains a number of important commitments, including that referred to in the Deputy’s question to ensure that there is legal clarity and certainty regarding the legal relationship between Ministers and their civil servants and the appropriate accountabilities that apply in each case. The Government Reform Unit in my Department has carried out a review of the current accountability framework for ministers and civil servants set out in the Ministers and Secretaries Acts and the Public Service Management Act, 1997. Work is now at an advanced stage in my Department in finalising a consultation paper based on the outcome of that review which will be considered by Government prior to its publication. The case for the requirement for any legislative change, for guidelines or for any strengthening in the governance frameworks for Government Departments in relation to the documentation of decision making can be assessed in the context of the process following the publication of the consultation paper.

I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place in my Department relating to the documentation of key decision-making in my Department

Microenterprise Loan Fund Applications

Ceisteanna (121)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which he continues to monitor the situation in respect of applications for funding to Microfinance Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29754/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Microfinance Ireland (MFI) opened for business on Monday 1st October 2012. A full progress report on the operation of the scheme from 1 October 2012 to 31 March 2013 can be found on my Department’s website (www.enterprise.gov.ie) and the Microfinance Ireland (MFI) website(www.microfinanceireland.ie). I hope to publish the next MFI progress report by mid-July.

Microfinance Ireland has undertaken a number of publicity and awareness raising activities since it began lending on 1 October 2012, including radio advertisements and attending local business network meetings. National radio advertisements of MFI have been prominent in recent weeks. In addition, the Minister for Small Business and I promote the scheme at every available opportunity, locally, regionally and nationally.

I can also assure the Deputy that the Minister for Small Business and I maintain regular contact with the Chairman of MFI and staff of my Department remain in regular contact with the CEO with regard to progress of the Scheme.

Question No. 122 withdrawn.