Tuesday, 26 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 280-300

Departmental Banking

Ceisteanna (280)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

280. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the value of services provided to the public by his Department and entities reporting to his Department where a payment is accepted by debit or credit card; the percentage of additional charge that is applied to such transactions under the merchant agreement; the total value of the additional charge in respect of debit and credit cards in 2012; if any portion of the additional charge accrued to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50139/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In response to the Deputy’s question my Department does not provide any service to the public where a payment by debit card or credit card is required. I understand that the Office of Public Works are unable to provide the information in the time allowed but will be writing to you shortly with a comprehensive reply.

Semi-State Bodies Dividends

Ceisteanna (281)

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

281. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 12 November 2013, in respect of the NewERA strategy, if he has devised a strategy for the payment of dividends by State-owned companies to the Exchequer for the next five years. [50199/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

In general, dividends of 30% of profits after tax have been sought of State companies in recent years. My Department, working with other relevant Departments and NewERA, is at present working on a range of shareholder considerations, including developing a new dividend policy for commercial state companies.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Ceisteanna (282)

Jack Wall

Ceist:

282. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will consider assisting with flood relief at a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50269/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The management of localised flooding issues in any particular area is a matter in the first instance for the relevant local authority concerned. It is open to Kildare County Council to submit an application under the OPW's Minor Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which includes a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and have regard to the overall availability of funding. Application forms and related guidelines are available on the OPW website under Flood Risk Management.

Garda Station Closures

Ceisteanna (283, 299)

Jim Daly

Ceist:

283. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a decision will issue to a community (details supplied) in County Cork regarding the handing over of a disused Garda station to a community project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50397/13]

Michael McCarthy

Ceist:

299. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a decision will issue to a community association (details supplied) regarding the handing over of a disused Garda station to a community project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50744/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 299 together.

The OPW received a proposal for use of this Garda Station from the Casteltownshend Community Association. The OPW will only issue licences to legal entities and the community group did not have the required legal status. Property Management advised the Association of the licensing conditions.

Flood Prevention Measures

Ceisteanna (284)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

284. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the stage of the flood risk management of the River Deel in Crossmolina; when he expects the consultant's report investigating the matter to be completed; when he expects further flood mitigation measures to be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50520/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The engineering consultant's draft report regarding potential options to address the flood problem in Crossmolina is expected to be completed in December. The draft report will be assessed by the Office of Public Works and it is hoped that the report and the associated cost benefit analysis can be finalised in early 2014. If the report identifies mitigation measures that are economically justified and environmentally acceptable, these measures will be progressed subject to OPW's overall resources for flood risk management. It is not possible to indicate a timeline for any such measures at present.

Semi-State Bodies Mergers

Ceisteanna (285)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the report on the possible merger of Coillte and Bord na Móna will be completed and when it will be presented to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50529/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As referred to in the Deputy’s question, and in light of the Programme for Government commitment to create a streamlined and refocused commercial state company in the bio-energy and forestry sectors, the Government decided in June of this year that an evaluation would be carried out on how to give effect to a beneficial merger of Coillte and Bord na Móna.

NewERA is undertaking a financial evaluation on behalf of the relevant Government Departments (my Department, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources), which I understand is nearing completion. The Departments will consider NewERA’s findings when they are available and I hope to be in a position to bring a recommendation to Government on the matter shortly thereafter.

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Ceisteanna (286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

286. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by the Department of Finance in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50659/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

287. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by the Department of Finance in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50661/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

288. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by the Department of Finance in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50663/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

289. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by the Department of Finance in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50667/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

290. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by the Department of Finance in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50669/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

291. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by the Department of Finance in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50671/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

292. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50672/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

293. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50674/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

294. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50676/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

295. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50678/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

296. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50680/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

297. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50682/13]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

298. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of contracts and their total financial cost awarded to a company (details supplied) by spending Government Departments in each of the years from 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date in 2013, or whatever years practicable; if all the contracts were winning public tenders; and if he will provide a breakdown of the contracts by date, purpose and individual value. [50684/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 298, inclusive, together.

In response to the Deputy’s questions I can only answer on behalf of my Department as this information is not collated centrally. Since the formation of my Department in 2011 only four companies mentioned were awarded contracts with details as follows:

Name of Consultancy Firm	Year	Amount Paid	Number of Contracts	Nature of work	Winning Public Tenders?
Deloitte	2011 2012 2013	€141,067.35	2	Expert assistance on the development of the Public Service Reform plan	Yes
Grant Thornton	2012 2013	€55,792.80	1	Independent verification of savings under Croke Park. Independent Verification of savings of selected projects under the Public Service Agreement Report will be published alongside the Implementation Body's 3rd Annual Progress Report shortly.	Yes
Deloitte	2012	€67,650.00	2	Expert advice on the development of the Payroll Shared Services Centre strategy	Yes
Deloitte	2013	€154,069.03	2	Expert advice on the development of the FMR Shared Services strategy. 1. Baselining Phase for Banking and Financial Management. 2. Support for the implementation of public service reform initiatives.	Yes

Question No. 299 answered with Question No. 283.

Health Services Staff Data

Ceisteanna (300)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

300. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his Department has at any stage since 9 March 2011 received a request for approval from the Department of Health for any salary or remuneration package with an annual value above €145,000 to be provided to any hospital administrator or hospital group administrator; if so, the date on which the approval was sought; if approval was given and when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50778/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Following the identification of serious capacity issues in a number of hospitals in Galway and Limerick, the Minister for Health sought urgent approval from my Department on 2 December 2011 to appoint two identified senior managers from within the health system to new roles as the Group CEOs for the Galway/Roscommon and the Mid-West Hospital Groups.

On 13 December 2011 my Department sanctioned the appointment of two persons as Group CEOs on the basis of temporary transfers. The post in the Mid-West Hospital Group was sanctioned at HSE National Director Level 2 level. For the Galway/Roscommon post the remuneration approved was on a personal to holder basis, which the Department of Health advised was commensurate with the existing remuneration package of the individual concerned.

Following a further submission from Department of Health in October 2012, the rate for future appointments to Hospital Group CEO posts was sanctioned in December 2012 at HSE National Director Level 3 (€145,959). The above salary rate has been subject to the appropriate reduction applied under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013 from 1 July 2013.