Finian McGrath
Ceist:148. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on a matter (details supplied) regarding funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36825/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFlood Relief Schemes
Ceisteanna (148)
Freagraí scríofa
The works proposed for the Collins Avenue East area of Dublin 5 are to be included in Phase 2 of flood relief works for the area of the city which are being progressed by Dublin City Council (DCC). The Council, in the first instance, is best placed to provide information on how these works will be progressed.
I am advised that Phase 1 of the flood relief works in Donnycarney which includes defences for the Clanmoyle and Clontarf golf club areas is mostly complete. The remaining work involves the completion of Mechanical & Electrical contracts which DCC hope to close out later this year. The Council has indicated that the further remaining works under Phase 1, which comprise a tunnel under the Howth Road and an additional sea outfall for the Wad river on the Clontarf Road, are scheduled for 2016-2017 subject to the availability of the necessary funding.
A preliminary feasibility study of Phase 2 works in the Donnycarney area, which examines the option of providing defences for Collins Avenue East, the Malahide Road at Donnycarney and at Collins Park, has been completed and assessed by the Council, which is of the opinion that the works are feasible. It is a matter for DCC to apply for funding for these works which, if submitted to the OPW, will be considered in accordance with the normal criteria.
Public Sector Staff Redeployment
Ceisteanna (149)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on current sick leave arrangements regarding staff on redeployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36956/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Public Service Agreements (the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements) provide for agreed redeployment arrangements to apply in the Civil Service and in other parts of the Public Service where there are surplus staff. A Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circular (Circular 8 of 2010) setting out the arrangements across the Civil Service and between the Civil Service and Non-Commercial State Sponsored Bodies issued in July 2010 and can be found at http://hr.per.gov.ie/redeployment/.
The sending organisations must confirm the suitability of the person for the position on the grounds of conduct and sick leave.
Individuals who have sick leave in excess of the standard sick leave arrangements who are considered the best match for a position will have their sick leave referred to the CMO for the purposes of having it discounted.
In accordance with section 6.3.14 of the Croke Park Agreement, it is open to receiving organisations to refuse to accept staff on conduct and sick leave grounds. However, if the best match for a post has an unsatisfactory record in relation to conduct or sick leave, the sending and receiving organisations may consider whether an assignment may proceed notwithstanding. In that case, regard should be had to the overall size of the receiving office and the number of posts at the equivalent grade level in the location in question. This is a matter for the organisations concerned in the redeployment.
Where an office is being abolished, the receiving organisation may not refuse an assignee on conduct or sick leave grounds.
In all cases, sending and receiving organisations will address any underperformance or attendance issues arising in accordance with the terms of paragraphs 3.13 and 3.14 of the Haddington Road Agreement.
Flood Relief Schemes
Ceisteanna (150)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:150. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of works to prevent flooding at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36975/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As indicated in my reply to the Deputy's previous Questions on this subject, a Feasibility Study to examine the options to address the flooding problem at the location referred to is being undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW). This Study is a separate Study to the South Western Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study.
Due to resource limitations and the requirement to advance the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) programme, it has not yet been possible to complete the full Study at this time.
OPW is continuing to monitor water levels on the Sneem River. It is expected that the Feasibility Study should be completed by Spring 2016.
Office of Public Works Properties
Ceisteanna (151)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:151. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a small section of a structure at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry which is owned by the Office of Public Works will be removed in the interest of public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36976/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for bringing this issue to the attention of my Office.
The Office of Public Works South West Regional Office will look into this matter directly and assess the situation.
I hope to revert to the Deputy once that assessment has been carried out.
Garda Remuneration
Ceisteanna (152)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:152. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the salary scale; allowances; and other expenses, available to members of An Garda Síochána in 2007, compared to at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36980/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In response to the Deputy's question the Department of Justice are currently preparing a response to this question and will respond directly to the Deputy.
Independent Members
Ceisteanna (153)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total amounts claimed by each Independent Teachta Dála and Seanadóir under the heading "leader's allowance", or under any subsequent name for this heading since the last general election; the amount of these individual amounts which was vouched and unvouched; if any Members have returned; declined to draw, any of the funding available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36996/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Parliamentary Activities Allowance (formerly known as the Party Leader's Allowance) is provided for under the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1938, amended most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2014.
Under the provisions of the 2014 Act, and with effect from 1 July 2014, the same audit and reporting provisions applicable to Parliamentary Leaders now also apply to Independent Members in receipt of the allowance. For the first time, Independent members must record and account to the Standards in Public Office Commission for expenditure from the allowance.
With regard to returns or 'gifting', it is the policy of my Department not to release personal information of this nature for reasons of confidentiality and privacy when replying to questions in relation to the salaries, pensions or other payments made to individual politicians and other public servants. It is open to the individuals themselves to publicise such information if they so wish.
Details of the payments made in the 31st Dáil to each Independent TD and Senator from 9 March 2011 to end 2013 are contained in my reply to the Deputy on 16 December 2014 under question no. 253 (ref. 48134/14). The amounts paid for the periods 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2014 and 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014 are set out in my reply to the deputy of 19 February 2015 (questions 77-83 inclusive; Ref 7483/15:). The amounts paid for the period 1 January 2015 to end September 2015 are set out in the following table.
|
Names |
Date |
|
Independent TDs |
2015 (to end Sept) |
|
Catherine Murphy |
€27,777.78 |
|
Finian McGrath |
€27,777.78 |
|
John Halligan |
€27,777.78 |
|
Mattie McGrath |
€27,777.78 |
|
Maureen O' Sullivan |
€27,777.78 |
|
Michael Healy Rae |
€27,777.78 |
|
Michael Lowry |
€27,777.78 |
|
Michael Wallace |
€27,777.78 |
|
Noel Grealish |
€27,777.78 |
|
Shane Ross |
€27,777.78 |
|
Seamus Healy |
€27,777.78 |
|
Stephen Donnelly |
€27,777.78 |
|
Thomas Pringle |
€27,777.78 |
|
Tom Fleming |
€27,777.78 |
|
Michael Fitzmaurice |
€33,950.62 |
|
Total |
€422,839.54 |
|
Independent Senators |
2015 (to end Sept) |
|
David Norris |
€15,783.75 |
|
Feargal Quinn |
€15,783.75 |
|
Rónán Mullen |
€15,783.75 |
|
John Crown |
€15,783.75 |
|
Sean D. Barrett |
€15,783.75 |
|
Fiach Mac Conghail |
€15,783.75 |
|
Eamonn Coghlan |
€15,783.75 |
|
Dr. Katherine Zappone |
€15,783.75 |
|
Mary Ann O'Brien |
€15,783.75 |
|
Marie-Louise O'Donnell |
€15,783.75 |
|
Jillian van Turnhout |
€15,783.75 |
|
Gerard Craughwell |
€15,783.75 |
|
Total |
€189,405.00 |
Public Sector Staff
Ceisteanna (154)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:154. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to establish a central transfer agency for public servants, to improve transfer times and make a broader range of potential employees knowingly available to recruiters in the public sector, as the current scenario is heavily dependent on direct bilateral moves within agencies, local authorities or Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37001/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware there are currently no formal arrangements for the transfer of staff between the different sectors of the public service. While, for example, expressions of interest did allow for some movement between sectors such moves were, in the main, designed to address specific skills shortages.
About 12,000 civil and public servants have moved under various mobility schemes.
Under Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan, my Department reporting to the Civil Service Management Board is examining ways to improve mobility across both the civil service and the wider public service. I would expect that the proposed centralised approach set out in the Deputy's question would be one of the options considered in that context given the shortcomings in existing arrangements.
Office of Public Works Expenditure
Ceisteanna (155)
Brian Walsh
Ceist:155. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by the Office of Public Works on private security; pest control; and other services, relating to the maintenance of the 139 Garda Síochána stations that have closed since 2011. [37030/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated. A detailed response will issue to the Deputy directly.
Regional Development Initiatives
Ceisteanna (156)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:156. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to previous parliamentary questions, if he has given further consideration on how best to promote and learn from the success of Killorglin in County Kerry as a rural town with high employment levels in an array of industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Regional Action Plan for Jobs approach that I am currently rolling out is fundamentally based on leveraging the strengths inherent in each region. Killorglin, as emphasised in a previous parliamentary question, is a shining example of a strong rural town with a vibrant economy primarily due to a handful of great companies at its core, namely Fexco, Astellas and Temmler. After five months of extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement, the South West Action Plan for Jobs was launched on Friday 3rd July 2015. The aim of this Action Plan for Jobs for the South West is to develop the full potential of the region for enterprise and job creation, building upon its assets and areas of competitive advantage. This translates to having a further 10 to 15 per cent at work in the region by 2020 and to ensure the unemployment rate is within 1% of the State average. Achieving this goal in the South West will contribute to the overall ambition of creating sustainable full employment in Ireland from 2018 onwards.
Efforts are underway to increase the economic prosperity of rural towns in both Cork and Kerry. The agri-food sector is particularly strong in the South West as highlighted by the South West Action Plan and the Plan aspires to boost agri-clustering initiatives throughout the region. A noteworthy example is the Listowel Food Hub Committee which is being supported by Dr. Edmond Harty of Dairymaster. The idea for the hub arose out of a task force that was set up by Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan to boost employment in north Kerry and the hope is that it will become a significant source of employment and the centre of a vibrant, local food industry.
The Action Plan for Jobs for the South West Region seeks to take advantage of particular areas of strength and opportunity for the Region. The region comprises of:
- a diversified enterprise mix and hosts a range of indigenous and foreign subsidiaries operating on international markets including agri-food and drink, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, precision engineering and in ICT products, services and solutions;
- world renowned heritage, cultural and tourism assets and resources and strong brands of Kerry and Cork as destinations in international markets;
- emerging strengths and potential in areas such as energy, healthcare and smart infrastructure;
- increasing rates of entrepreneurship and startups across the spectrum of sectors;
- productivity levels which are above the State average;
- a unique mix of education and research assets including UCC (in the top 2% of universities worldwide), Tralee and Cork Institutes of Technology and Teagasc at Moorepark, each involved in world class research;
- strong international physical connectivity, with European air services from the State airport at Cork and at Kerry airport, together with nine sea ports; and
- digital connectivity through a new international broadband connectivity being deployed directly from the region to North America.
Following the successful national Action Plan for Jobs model and in order to ensure that the Plan is delivered, a comprehensive implementation structure is currently being finalised. Deadlines and lead organisations are assigned in the case of each action, an Implementation Committee has being put in place, and Progress Reports and implementation levels will be published every six months. The first progress report is due in Q1 2016.
Employment Data
Ceisteanna (157)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:157. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new jobs and net new jobs in Industrial Development Agency Ireland supported companies in County Kerry in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36969/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Employment data for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Annual Employment Survey is collected and reported annually. The figures for the number of IDA supported jobs in 2015 will not be available until early next year, after the completion of the 2015 Employment Survey. The number of IDA Ireland-supported new jobs created in Kerry in 2014 was 247, which represents a net increase of 236 over 2013 figures. In the indigenous sector, the 2015 figures, there was a net gain of 321 Enterprise Ireland jobs in 2014.
IDA Ireland’s new five year strategy Winning – Foreign Direct Investment 2015-2019 contains a strong focus on regional development, setting forth aims and strategies to achieve a significant increase in investment going into regional locations. To support that aim, IDA Ireland is rolling out a €150million capital investment programme to help attract more multinational jobs into each region over a 5-year period. This programme will include investments over the coming years in building advanced technology buildings and office facilities in a number of regional locations to provide state-of-the-art property solutions for clients. Tralee is to be the site of one such advanced technology building.
As well as working to attract new investment into the region, an important focus for IDA Ireland is on supporting the needs of existing companies to help them to grow and develop, allowing them to add jobs.
In July 2015, IDA Ireland with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation launched the South West Regional Action Plan for Jobs, which highlights working with the other agencies and local stakeholders to improve enterprise development and identify job creation opportunities at regional level.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) is also very active in Co. Kerry, focussed primarily on the development of companies export potential and in the creation of new jobs; through supporting entrepreneurs to set up new High Potential Start-Up Companies; on the retention and creation of new jobs in existing companies through support of company development/export plans and in enhancing their innovation capability. EI also supports Research & Development in companies, and through collaboration with relevant third level institutions at a national, regional and county level. In Kerry this is primarily delivered in collaboration with IT Tralee.
EI has a number of supports and initiatives in place to assist these companies, depending on their stage of development. Among others, these include the Competitive Start Fund, Innovation Vouchers, Seed and Venture Capital Funds, Research and Development Funds, Growth Fund, Trade Missions, Potential Exporters, First Sale Programme and the International Selling Programme.
Private Rented Accommodation Price Controls
Ceisteanna (158)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the impact that the high rental prices in urban areas are having on employee availability to take up new roles in city centres; the control measures he intends to implement; the studies that have been done on the increased operating and salary costs to new employers; if impact assessments have been done on the effect on innovation and start-ups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The adequate supply of quality, affordable housing, in the right locations, is a contributing factor to Ireland’s overall competitiveness. For example, it contributes to Ireland’s attractiveness for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), for mobile talent, and house price inflation can feed into wage pressures which in turn can impact on our competitiveness. This is particularly true in urban areas where employment growth is especially strong, and housing supply is still suffering from the impact of the property crash.
In terms of measures, a shortage of supply is at the heart of rising rents and the Government is addressing this on a number of fronts. Construction 2020: A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector, published last year, is aimed at addressing issues in the property and construction sectors and ensuring that any bottlenecks that might impede the sector in meeting residential and non-residential demand are addressed. The regulation of the rental market raises many complex economic and legal issues. Measures proposed have to be balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. I understand that my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government intends to bring proposals in relation to the rental sector to Government for decision as soon as possible. Ultimately, any decision in relation to this issue is a matter for Government.
Social housing is a key priority for the Government, as evidenced by the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 and the €2.9 billion in funding under the Government’s capital plan. In Budget 2016 investment in housing infrastructure has again been given priority with a total housing provision in 2016 of €923 million. NAMA is aiming to deliver a target of 20,000 residential units before the end of 2020 with 90 per cent of these units to be in the greater Dublin area.
The Budget included supportive measures including a reduced Capital Gains Tax rate of 20 per cent for successful entrepreneurs, reductions in the USC affecting middle-income workers and creating jobs, income tax credit of €550 for self-employed people, with improvements in future years. The Budget also introduced a new measure to support innovation, the Knowledge Development Box, which will be a globally ‘best in class’ and first OECD-compliant scheme, with a competitive rate of 6.25 per cent on qualifying income that will be of benefit to SMEs in particular, and will be in place from January 1st 2016. The Minister for Finance also announced the extension of tax relief for start-up companies and enhancements to the Employment and Investment Incentive scheme to increase availability of investment finance for business. In addition, in terms of expenditure on innovation, the capital budget of my Department and Science Foundation Ireland will, amongst other things, train 3,000 researchers and deliver ongoing investment of €355 million with industry in 12 world-leading large-scale Research Centres.
In terms of research and assessment of the policy issues, skills supply, labour costs and the environment for start-ups feature regularly in work undertaken by, or in consultation with, my Department. Recent examples include the National Policy Statement on Entrepreneurship, Action Plan for Jobs 2015, and the work of the National Competitiveness Council. I also expect these issues to be examined further under forthcoming strategies including the successor to the National Skills Strategy, and my own Department’s forthcoming Enterprise Policy 2025 strategy. My Department is also informed by continuous contact with businesses, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and the Local Enterprise Office network.
Hare Coursing
Ceisteanna (159)
Clare Daly
Ceist:159. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm or deny that hares were sick and dying in the compound of Cashel Coursing Club leading up to the weekend of 10 October 2015; if this was the reason the meeting had to be called off; if it is the case that hares were sick and dying, if post mortems were carried out to determine the cause of the deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36852/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for ICC. Nonetheless my Department has made enquiries and the ICC has indicated that Cashel Coursing Club postponed its meeting due to unsuitable ground conditions. It has also confirmed that all the hares in the care of Cashel Coursing Club for that event were certified healthy prior to their release.
A monitoring committee on Coursing, comprising officials from my Department, the ICC and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), carefully monitors developments in coursing. A review of the outcome of the most recent season indicates that 99.4% of hares were released back to the wild at the conclusion of the 2014/2015 coursing season.
Public Sector Staff Redeployment
Ceisteanna (160, 177)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding staff who were redeployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36953/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Healy-Rae
Ceist:177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding staff from his Department who were compulsorily redeployed to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36954/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 177 together.
My Department has made every effort to source opportunities for the concerned staff in the Tralee area both prior to the redeployment and following the appeal process and the subsequent Labour Relations Commission understanding.
By way of background, my Department, in line with Government policy, engaged in a very focused and driven policy over recent years aimed at managing our schemes, programmes and services in a more efficient and cost effective manner while maintaining and enhancing the level of service we provide to citizens and stakeholders. The reconfiguration of structures concluded that the administrative support in my Department’s local office network could be provided from one or two centralised ‘back office’ locations which would give rise to significant savings. Throughout this reform process, my Department actively sought redeployment opportunities for administrative staff in location and in the vast majority of redeployment cases we succeeded in making arrangements to maintain staff in situ. In the case of our Tralee staff, the only redeployment opportunity available arose in the Payroll Shared Services Centre in Killarney and staff were redeployed in line with the terms of the Public Service Agreements. My Department currently has no vacancies in administrative roles in our Tralee office.
Government Departments and Public Service Organisations in the Tralee area have been advised of the terms of the Labour Relations Commission Understanding; it is a matter for those Departments and Organisations to determine if and when any vacancies should be filled.
My Department is currently evaluating options for the concerned staff who may wish to exit the Civil Service as provided for in the Labour Relations Commission Understanding and intends to revert to the Labour Relations Commission shortly with recommendations. As the concerned staff are no longer employed in my Department, consultation will have to take place with their current Departments on any possible options.