Written Answers Nos. 57-68
57. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for flooding alleviation projects to be carried out in Ballylongford, County Kerry, in view of the flooding that has taken place over the past number of winters. [38648/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for Kerry County Council, in the first instance, to investigate and address flooding issues in the County. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has no flood defence assets in Ballylongford and, therefore, has no direct responsibility for maintaining or improving existing flood defences. However, Ballylongford was identified through the national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment as an area where the flood risk was potentially significant. It is therefore designated as an area for which detailed analysis is being carried out under the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study, which OPW is currently undertaking in partnership with the relevant local authorities including Kerry County Council. The engineering consultancy company Jacobs Engineering has been commissioned to carry out the work on behalf of the OPW.
The analysis under the CFRAM project will enable flood maps to be produced in 2014 and the identification of flood risk management options for this area in 2015. There will be public consultation on the draft flood maps within the next couple of months and this will be advertised locally.
Following the significant flood events earlier this year, Jacobs were on site at Ballylongford collecting data on flood extents, levels and flood mechanism etc. This information will contribute to calibrating any flood modelling being produced for the town and thus ensuring any future mitigating measures proposed are robust and effective.
On a recent visit to Ballylongford, I met with local residents, Councillors and County Council officials and had the opportunity to see the flood prone areas and hear of the problems at first hand. At that meeting Kerry County Council indicated that it would be making a submission shortly to the OPW for funding under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake some interim flood protection measures that could be carried out pending the completion of the CFRAM process. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria of the Scheme, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. It is also open to local authorities to carry out flood mitigation and coastal protection works using their own resources.
58. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in appropriate locations in all State owned buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38672/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary control of the risk of carbon monoxide in fuel burning installations must be the provision of adequate ventilation. This is reflected in the Building Regulations and other relevant standards. Proper maintenance is another factor which reduces this risk. Carbon monoxide alarms are very useful in ensuring the safety of people where these controls fail. The current Building Regulations have a requirement for the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwellings in specific circumstances.
59. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which targets set by his Department across all Government Departments have been met and continue to be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38732/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he continues to be satisfied regarding the progress made over the past three and a half in the areas of reform resulting in the elimination of waste or duplicative spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38733/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Departments and bodies under their aegis that are likely to have to make greater efforts to achieve targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38735/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that all Departments and public bodies under their aegis continue to make equal efforts to remain within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38737/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the full extent of savings made by each Department and its subservient bodies over the past three and a half years under the separate headings of reform and reduced expenditure or elimination of waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38738/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the scope for minor relaxation of efforts to curtail expenditure in areas that have preformed well in the past three and a half years but where the needs may have changed such as in the public housing programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38739/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 62 to 65, inclusive, together.
Managing the delivery of public services within Departmental Budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department, and several measures are in place to help ensure that these budgetary targets continue to be met. My Department is in regular communication with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being controlled and we monitor the drawdown of funds from the Exchequer against Departmental published expenditure profiles. Overall net expenditure to end-September, 2014 amounted to €30,982 million. This was broadly on target at just €14 million ahead of profile. The year-on-year reduction in expenditure amounted to €630 million, a decrease of 2.0%.
With regard to the progress made on reform, since this Government took office, sustainable and far reaching Public Service Reform has been a key element of our strategy to meet the challenges that have faced the country in recent years. Public Service Reform will also continue to play a key role in our recovery.
We published our first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011. A Progress Report on the Reform Plan was published in September 2012 and a second Progress Report was published in January this year (www.reformplan.per.gov.ie). These reports set out the significant progress that has been made to date.
Some examples of this progress include:
- while meeting increased demand for services, we have reduced staff numbers by around 32,000 or 10% since 2008 and the paybill has been reduced from €17.5 billion in 2009 to a forecasted €13.6 billion net by end 2014;
- new working arrangements have been introduced, including longer working hours, new rosters, and standardised arrangements for annual leave and sick leave;
- we are implementing a radical overhaul of our approach to public procurement, with the Office of Government Procurement targeting savings of €500 million over three years;
- Peoplepoint the Civil Service wide Human Resources and Pensions Shared Services Centre has been operational since March last year and now services over 25,000 employees across 19 organisations;
- an Action Plan to deliver efficiencies in the State's property portfolio was published in mid 2013 and is currently being implemented;
- we have issued over 800,000 Public Services Cards, which are currently being used for social welfare payments and the free travel scheme, and will cover a greater range of services over time;
- the Office of Government Chief Information Officer has been established to maximise the potential benefits of digitalisation in delivering services and information;
- the Government services portal - www.gov.ie - includes quick links to more than 400 information and transaction services;
- we have launched a new Open Data portal - www.data.gov.ie - and a consultation process on data sharing;
- a series of public expenditure reforms have been implemented to bring greater structure, scrutiny and openness to budgeting;
- we are making good progress in implementing our programme of political and legislative reform, aimed at enhancing openness, transparency and accountability; and
- we will shortly publish a Civil Service Renewal Plan setting out a new vision and strategy for the Civil Service.
In January this year, I published the Government's second Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016. The actions set out in the Reform Plan include greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity and capability to deliver reform and service improvements across the Public Service. Overall, I am satisfied that both the strong progress made to date and our future plans are in line with best practice across Europe and that the progress we are making is well regarded internationally.
In relation to the upcoming Budget, this Government has made some very difficult but necessary decisions over the past 3 years, decisions which have resulted in the restoration of a sustainable and viable economic future for the citizens of this Country. The Comprehensive Review of Expenditure is currently being concluded and will inform Government decisions that will underpin the basis of the multi-annual expenditure ceilings which will be published as part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2015 - 2017. The exact expenditure measures required to meet these targets will be agreed by Government in the context of Budget 2015 taking into account macroeconomic developments.
61. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he is satisfied that reforms and efficiencies throughout the public sector are in line with best practice throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38734/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince this Government took office, sustainable and far reaching Public Service Reform has been a key element of our strategy to meet the challenges that have faced the country in recent years. Public Service Reform will also continue to play a key role in our recovery.
We published our first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011. A Progress Report on the Reform Plan was published in September 2012 and a second Progress Report was published in January this year (available at www.reformplan.per.gov.ie ). These reports set out the significant progress that has been made to date.
Some examples of this progress include:
- while meeting increased demand for services and a growing population, we have reduced staff numbers by around 32,000 or 10% since 2008 and the paybill has been reduced from €17.5 billion in 2009 to a forecasted €13.6 billion net by end 2014;
- new working arrangements have been introduced, including longer working hours, new rosters, and standardised arrangements for annual leave and sick leave;
- we are implementing a radical overhaul of our approach to public procurement, with the Office of Government Procurement targeting savings of €500 million over three years;
- Peoplepoint the Civil Service wide Human Resources and Pensions Shared Services Centre has been operational since March last year and now services over 25,000 employees across 19 organisations;
- an Action Plan to deliver efficiencies in the State's property portfolio was published in mid 2013 and is currently being implemented;
- we have issued over 800,000 Public Services Cards, which are currently being used for social welfare payments and the free travel scheme, and will cover a greater range of services over time;
- the Office of Government Chief Information Officer has been established to maximise the potential benefits of digitalisation in delivering services and information;
- the Government services portal - www.gov.ie - includes quick links to more than 400 information and transaction services;
- we have launched a new Open Data portal - www.data.gov.ie - and a consultation process on data sharing;
- a series of public expenditure reforms have been implemented to bring greater structure, scrutiny and openness to budgeting;
- we are making good progress in implementing our programme of political and legislative reform, aimed at enhancing openness, transparency and accountability; and
we will shortly publish a Civil Service Renewal Plan setting out a new vision and strategy for the Civil Service.
In January this year, I published the Government's second Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016. There are over 230 specific actions set out in the Reform Plan including greater use of shared services and innovative approaches to service delivery; increased use of technology and improved engagement with service users; more efficient and effective public procurement and property management; increased accountability and transparency in public decision making; enhanced leadership and performance management; and a continued focus on building the required capacity and capability to deliver reform and service improvements across the Public Service. The new Reform Plan is also available at www.reformplan.per.gov.ie.
Overall, I am satisfied that we have made very strong progress to date in an environment that has been significantly more challenging than most other EU Member States. Our future plans are in line with, and frequently exceed, best practice across Europe and our progress has been noted and is well regarded internationally. The levels of reform we have delivered could not have happened without the efforts and commitment of our public servants and I commend them for their contribution to date.
66. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if it is possible to approve a mechanism to fund the purchase of existing and-or construction of new houses by the local authorities to meet the ever increasing housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38740/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Estimates and Budgetary process for 2015, the Government will be considering all options for increasing the supply of social housing, including the funding of the purchase of existing houses and the construction of new houses by local authorities.
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he may through the aegis of his Department address areas of infrastructure deficiency throughout the county such as road, rail, telecommunications, energy, information technology including broadband with the object of encouraging economic development throughout the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38741/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently finalising a review of the public capital programme with a view to setting the Government's investment strategy and capital budget for the five year period ahead.
The key issues for the capital review will be the Government's economic and social priorities including the investments that would best support economic recovery and social progress.
Full details will be available in the capital review to be published on Budget day.
68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the objectives for his Department over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38742/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key objectives for my department over the next five years, as I see it, will be:
(a) To manage public expenditure at sustainable levels in a planned, rational and balanced manner in support of Ireland's economic development and social progress; and
(b) To have public administration and Government structures that are transparent, effective, efficient, innovative, accountable and responsive to the citizen.
A Statement of Strategy for my department for the period 2015-2017 will be finalised and published by the end of this year. This will detail in greater detail the strategic goals and actions to be undertaken by my Department in the period.
