Written Answers Nos. 96-116
96. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills to put a system in place to allow secretaries to become direct employees of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in primary and secondary schools. While a small number of these staff remain in schools, the schemes are being phased out and have been superseded by a more extensive grant scheme. The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive capitation grant assistance to provide for secretarial (and/or caretaking) services. Within the capitation grant schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs and the Department does not stipulate how secretarial services are to be obtained. Where a school uses the grant funding to employ a secretary, such staff are employees of individual schools. My Department therefore does not have any role in determining the pay and conditions under which they are engaged. These are matters to be agreed between the staff concerned and the school authorities.
Notwithstanding the above, in 2015 my Department agreed to engage with the union side in relation to the pay of School Secretaries and Caretakers who are employed using grant funding and to enter an arbitration process if necessary. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for School Secretaries and Caretakers comprehended by the terms of the arbitration process and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 for such staff be phased in over the period 2016 to 2019. The Arbitrator's recommendations were accepted by both sides. My Department issued Circulars to schools which gave effect to the measures which applied from 1 January 2016 (i.e. an increase of 2.5% in the hourly pay rate and the introduction of a minimum hourly rate of €10.25) and revised grant rates.
97. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to reduce pupil-teacher ratios at primary level, and the funds he will allocate to this. [10912/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level. Budget 2016 provides for a one point adjustment to the staffing allocation to primary schools, which will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This will see the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply for DEIS Band 1 schools, ranging from 20:1 to 24:1 depending on the type of school. The pupil teacher ratio in the current school year is 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils. Staffing arrangements for the 2016/17 school year are available in Circular 0007/2016, which is published on the Department website. In the next Budget I will consider the best approach to further meeting commitments in the Programme for Government.
98. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent court decision on the reasonable accommodations arrangements for leaving certificate examination candidates who have special assessment needs in examinations due to a temporary, permanent or long-term disability. [10913/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
The Board of the SEC is currently undertaking a review of the operation of the RACE Scheme. As part of this review the SEC is considering the recent High Court Judicial Review findings referred to by the Deputy. Following the review the SEC will develop proposals and plans for any changes to the RACE Scheme it considers necessary.
Currently the SEC operates a Scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at the Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations for candidates with special needs in the examinations. The Scheme applies to candidates who have a physical or medical disability, including visual and hearing impairments, or a specific learning difficulty. All applications for reasonable accommodations are considered within a published Framework of Principles established by an Expert Advisory Group.
Reasonable accommodations are not intended to compensate for a possible lack of achievement arising from a disability or to compensate for difficulties arising from a candidate's general intellectual functioning. Reasonable accommodations are intended to;
(a) to remove, as far as possible, the impact of the disability on the candidate's performance and thus enable the candidate to demonstrate his or her level of attainment and
(b) to ensure that, whilst giving candidates every opportunity to demonstrate their level of attainment, the special arrangements will not give the candidate an unfair advantage over other candidates in the same examination.
The range of accommodations includes, inter alia, provision of modified, brailled and enlarged papers for visually impaired students; access to readers, scribes, word-processor, tape or voice recorder for student with physical conditions or dyslexia or other types of SLD; exemptions from components of the examinations such as the oral or aural or the waiver from spelling and grammar in language subjects. Some students may apply for and be granted more than one type of accommodation. In cases where a school/parent or student is dissatisfied with any aspect of the SEC's decision, they have access to an Independent Appeals Committee. All members of the Appeals Committee are drawn from outside the SEC. The remit of the Appeals Committee covers appeals against all elements of a decision taken by the SEC. Appeals must be lodged in writing and all appeals are considered in light of the Framework of Principles established by the Expert Advisory Group.
99. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the purpose of the review of the concessionary charges and rules element of the school transport scheme as outlined in the programme for Government, including if this review will result in a further restriction on the availability and financial affordability of school transport, particularly for vulnerable families. [10914/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of my Department's Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 or 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school or post primary centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid Medical Cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.
A review of the School Transport Scheme as outlined in the Programme for Government will examine the Scheme as it currently operates.
My Department is currently considering how best to progress this review.
100. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the additional funding he will provide to increase primary and secondary capitation rates for the school year starting in September 2016. [10915/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the impact budgetary decisions taken in our economic crisis have had on capitation and related grants to our primary and second level schools.
I do recognise the need to improve capitation funding for primary and secondary schools having regard to the reductions that were necessary over the recent years.
In 2015 the first increase in education spending was secured in recent years and a further increase in education spending was achieved in 2016.
I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment, including grant funding in education.
In relation to capitation levels for future years the Deputy should note that the recently published Programme for a Partnership Government provides for additional capitation funding linked to the availability of afterschool care options, where demand exists and the setting out of capitation rates to schools on a rolling 3-year basis.
101. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding he will specifically allocate to the new model of in-school speech and language therapy; the number of Health Service Executive therapists he will redirect to this model; the number of additional posts he will recruit to specifically service this model; the timeframe for establishing the model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10916/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for a Partnership Government states that a new model of In-School Speech and Language Therapy will be established. It commits to investing an extra €500million in education by 2021 through measures including childcare subventions, HSE Speech and Language Therapists, to bring the number up to 1,102 (a 25% increase).
As committed to in the Programme for a Partnership Government, I plan to examine the adequacy of the present policies and provision, and their scope for improvement, particularly in relation to speech and language difficulties and early intervention.
As Speech and Language Therapists are currently employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE), officials at my Department will now engage with colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE to develop a plan for the implementation of this commitment. The implementation plan will identify the actions to be taken and the specific timeframe for the delivery of this commitment.
In the interim my Department continues to provide an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD).
This includes provision for the establishment of special classes for pupils with SSLD in primary schools. Applications to establish such classes are considered by the school's assigned Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) and those meeting the criteria for establishment are approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007.
Pupils who are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in my Department's Circular, may qualify for additional teaching support where he/she is enrolled in mainstream school.
Pupils with mild speech and language difficulties may qualify for supplementary teaching support from within the school's general allocation of learning support/teaching support. It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgement to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils.
102. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for funding by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10946/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application for the provision of a PE hall for the school in question. I wish to advise the Deputy that due to the competing demands on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise available funding towards the provision of essential school classroom accommodation, it is not possible at this point to provide an indicative timeframe for the provision of funding for the facility in question.
In that regard, however, my Department devolved funding in excess of €985,000 to the school concerned in 2015 for the provision of five additional general classrooms, one ASD post primary class unit and conversion works to meet the schools immediate accommodation needs.
103. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a permit is required from her Department or from An Garda Síochána for an event (details supplied). [10793/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a permit is required from his Department or from the relevant local authority for an event (details supplied) [10792/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 111 together.
My Department does not issue licences for the type of event referred to in the Questions. The organisers should contact the local authority concerned in relation to any necessary temporary road closures, the local Superintendent of An Garda Síochána, the local office of the Health Service Executive and any other organisations that these bodies advise should be contacted in order to ensure that the proposed event is run in compliance with all relevant statutory requirements.
104. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the status of an application by a group (details supplied) for Leader funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10870/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe selection of applications and the provision of funding under the LEADER Programme 2014-2020 will be a matter solely for the local action group selected to implement the local development strategy in its area. My Department has no role in this regard.
I can confirm, however, that an inquiry for funding under the new programme has been received from the organisation referred to in the Question. The application will be progressed, as appropriate, by the relevant local action group when the new programme commences.
In this regard, my Department is currently concluding the selection of LEADER local development strategies. I expect to issue the first contracts to local action groups this week as discussions on contract and implementation arrangements are concluded, with a phased commencement of the programme anticipated across all areas between now and July.
105. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the progress in establishing the electoral commission and when he will publish the relevant legislation. [10920/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2015, on the basis of a consultation paper prepared by my Department, and at the invitation of the then Minister, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht undertook a public consultation process on the establishment of an electoral commission. The Committee published a report on the consultation in January 2016. This report contains a series of recommendations regarding the establishment of an electoral commission, including functions which should be assigned to it; independence, membership and accountability mechanisms; and the establishment process. The report will inform the implementation of the commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government on establishing an electoral commission.
106. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the directive sent to local authorities in respect of the inclusion of public rights of way in development plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10719/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 7 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010 requires the inclusion of a mandatory objective in an area’s development plan for “the preservation of public rights of way which give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational utility, which public rights of way shall be identified both by marking them on at least one of the maps forming part of the development plan and by indicating their location on a list appended to the development plan”.
In October 2012, my Department issued Circular Letter PL09/2012 to planning authorities reminding them of their statutory obligation under planning legislation in this regard.
In August 2015, my Department issued a further Circular Letter PL 5/2015 to planning authorities which provided clarification between the status of permissive trails as distinct from public rights of ways.
Public rights of way are deemed accessible at all times by members of the public. Members of the public, such as recreational users, entering onto these designated routes do so by right and not by permission. Many of these rights of way are indicated by local authorities in their development plans. Many other walking routes exist on a permissive access basis, for example “The National Waymarked Way Network” . These routes are permissive in nature and, as distinct from public rights of way, consent can be withdrawn anytime by the landowner.
Circular Letter PL 5/2015 further advised planning authorities on the degree to which the existence of such permissive trails, given their status, should be taken on board in arriving at decisions on planning applications and appeals.
107. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria local authorities must adhere to when assessing applications for a grant to provide a well for a new domestic water supply. [10729/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding is available under my Department’s Rural Water Programme towards the provision or necessary improvement of an individual water supply in a house. Local authorities were informed of the introduction of the grant scheme and the criteria to be met by way of Circular Letter L8/97 of April 1997. The terms and conditions of the scheme are set out in an Explanatory Memorandum which is available from the local authorities and on my Department’s website at the following link; http://www.environ.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/grant-provision-or-neccessary-improvment-individual-water.
108. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he will publish and finalise the new national planning framework; if it will redesign, reconfigure or redesignate the industrial gateways and hubs as outlined in the National Spatial Strategy 2002; and if the National Spatial Strategy 2002 has any statutory or non-statutory role as a strategic spatial planning framework or if he is considers it redundant. [10737/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current National Spatial Strategy, NSS, was published in 2002 and was Ireland's first national strategic spatial planning framework set ting an overarching planning framework. The Strategy remains in force and as a result of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, its statutory role and influence has been strengthened by new requirements for local authority and regional plans to align with the NSS. Bearing in mind the interval of time that has elapsed, changed circumstances and new challenges that have emerged in the planning arena, the previous Government approved the preparation of a successor to the NSS - the National Planning Framework - and in December 2015 published a roadmap for its preparation, which is available on my Department’s website at the following link; http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/towards_a_national_planning_framework_december_2015.pdf.
The commitment to preparing the National Planning Framework was reaffirmed in A Programme for a Partnership Government , published earlier this month.
I intend that the National Planning Framework will be a high-level nationally focused document, developed to ensure the optimal development of the country as a whole while maximising Ireland’s economic recovery and on-going growth at national, regional and local level, thus further contributing to sustainable national recovery through an inclusive and participative approach with all relevant national, regional and local interests.
Furthermore, the National Planning Framework will act as the strategic planning context for relevant Government policies and investment in housing, water services, transport, communications, energy, health and education infrastructure, development, by the three new regional assemblies, of their new regional spatial and economic strategies, and the functions of planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment, it is anticipated that the National Planning Framework will be finalised by the first quarter of 2017, taking account of all relevant in puts and statutory requirements and it would be inappropriate at this early stage to comment on the likely content of the framework until sufficient preparatory and consultative work is undertaken.
109. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider a waiver system for those with illnesses that give rise to above average household waste, for example incontinence, given the introduction of compulsory pay-by-weight refuse collection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10773/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No. 367 on yesterday’s Order Paper which sets out the position in this matter.
110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will engage with the social housing funding proposal of the Irish League of Credit Unions as part of the solution to the housing shortage crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10777/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe agreed Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the potential role that credit unions can play in housing finance and supports the efforts of the Registrar of Credit Unions at the Central Bank to gradually lift current lending restrictions as appropriate, including for housing. The Programme further provides that we will investigate with all stakeholders how credit unions can support the delivery of social housing. The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has set out a proposed means by which funding could be provided to Approved Housing Bodies, by credit unions, for the development of social housing. My Department has met with the ILCU on a number of occasions to address technical aspects of its proposal. The most recent meeting was on 13 April 2016.
The Central Bank commenced a number of new regulations for credit unions on 1 January 2016. Prior to their commencement, following careful consideration, the Central Bank made a number of modifications including to Regulation 25(2) which makes reference to the fact that the Central Bank may prescribe, in accordance with section 43 of the Credit Union Act 1997, further classes of investments for credit unions which may include investments in projects of a public nature. The effect of these modifications is that regulation 25(2) now provides that investment in projects of a public nature can include, but are not limited to, investments in social housing projects.
I acknowledge the modifications made by the Central Bank and the willingness of credit unions to actively seek a role in financing the delivery of social housing.
Conscious of the independence of the Central Bank in its regulatory role in respect of credit unions, bilateral engagement has taken place between my Department and the Department of Finance to consider the potential regulatory and legislative implications of credit union involvement in the social housing sector.
My Department and the Department of Finance met with the Central Bank on 21 April 2016 to provide information of a technical nature in relation to social housing funding arrangements. This was with a view to assisting the Central Bank in understanding how these arrangements operate, as it deals with issues arising from proposals put forward for credit union investment in social housing.
Ultimately, the funding mechanisms will have to be put in place in the first instance by the ILCU with the support of its members, and with the agreement of the Central Bank. I and my Department are happy to continue to contribute to this process by providing necessary technical advice and support.
112. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the funding available to Kildare County Council for the social housing fund to enable them to build and-or buy houses; the extent to which this funding has been drawn down by Kildare County Council; when the first units are expected to become available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10804/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTargets in respect of social housing delivery via a combination of building, buying and leasing schemes were set for each local authority out to 2017 and are available on my Department’s website, along with the associated provisional funding allocations, at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41016,en.htm.
Almost €87 million has been allocated to Kildare County Council for the delivery of 1,283 social housing units. It is a matter in the first instance for the Council to identify projects, across all approaches, to deliver social housing as soon as possible. I am keen that all local authorities, including Kildare County Council, advance these projects as soon as possible and I have assured them that funding is available to fully support their efforts in this regard, including construction and acquisition projects.
Following the notification of targets to Kildare County Council and other local authorities in April 2015, approvals for a substantial number of new social housing projects were announced in May 2015, July 2015 and January 2016. Between these three announcements, almost €680 million has been allocated for over 3,900 social housing new builds, turnkey developments and acquisitions. Details of these project approvals, including for Kildare, are available on my Department’s website at the following links:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,41340,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/News/MainBody,42225,en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/housing/social-housing/ministers-kelly-coffey-announce-further-1000-social-housing-units.
A full report on actions delivered under the Strategy in 2015 can be found in the Social Housing Output in 2015 report. The report, which was published on 26 January 2016, in collaboration with the Housing Agency, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:-
http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/social_housing_output_in_2015_0.pdf.
Additional data on the breakdown of output, across all social housing delivery programmes, by local authority in 2015, is available on my Department’s website at the following link:-
http://www.environ.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1a2-sh-2015-brkdn_1.xlsx.
In 2015, my Department provided over €12.1 million to Kildare County Council for the delivery of new social housing units under both the construction and acquisition programmes and the figure to date in 2016 is almost €4.6 million. In addition to the funding provided by my Department, Kildare County Council also contributes significant levels of funding from their own resources for the delivery of these units.
In addition, under the Social Housing Strategy the delivery of new social housing units through a public private partnership (PPP) model is being pursued. The PPP programme will have an investment of €300 million to deliver 1,500 social housing units and it is being rolled-out in three bundles. The first bundle of PPP sites, to provide over 500 new housing units, was announced in October 2015 and covers six sites, one of which is to deliver some 75 units at Craddockstown, Naas, County Kildare.
113. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his proposals to approve funding for the provision of a new fire station in Ballybay in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10871/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of fire services in local authority areas, including the establishment and maintenance of fire brigades, the assessment of fire cover needs and the provision of premises, is a statutory function of the individual fire authorities under the provisions of the Fire Services Act 1981. My Department supports the fire authorities through setting general policy, providing a central training programme, issuing guidance on operational and other related matters and providing capital funding for priority infrastructural projects.
My Department recently announced a five-year Fire Services Capital Programme with an allocation of €40 million, based on the current annual €8 million allocation, to be used for the purchase of fire appliances and specialist equipment, building or upgrading of prioritised Fire Stations, an upgrade of the Communications and Mobilisation system and improvements to Training Centres. Under this programme, the list of priority projects to be progressed will be kept under review on an annual basis.
A new fire station is proposed for Castleblayney in the current five-year programme. A fire station project in Ballybay is not included in the programme. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will have regard to Monaghan County Council’s priorities and national priorities for funding in further considering any proposal.
114. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Social Protection the waiting time for processing social protection claims and the number of claims pending by scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10724/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested (where available) by the deputy is detailed in the tabular statement.
Social Welfare claims by average waiting times and number of claims pending 30 April 2016
|
Scheme |
Average Waiting time (weeks) |
Claims Pending |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
1 |
2,053 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance |
2 |
6,662 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
6 |
1,119 |
|
State Pension Contributory (Dom) |
7 |
4,396 |
|
Widow’s, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension |
3 |
343 |
|
Widowed Parent Grant |
1 |
15 |
|
Living Alone/Island Allowances |
N/a |
468 |
|
State Pension Non-Contributory |
14 |
2,239 |
|
Household Benefits |
3 |
2,652 |
|
Free Travel |
2 |
33 |
|
Domiciliary Care Allowance |
13 |
1,876 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
1 |
3,499 |
|
Child Benefit (Domestic & FRA) |
3 |
1,081 |
|
Child Benefit (EU Regulation) |
39 |
1,746 |
|
Treatment Benefit |
N/a |
15,544 |
|
Maternity Benefit |
N/a |
4,144 |
|
Family Income Supplement (New) |
3 |
2,456 |
|
Family Income Supplement (Renew) |
N/a |
1,252 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
21 |
6,361 |
|
Disability Allowance |
10 |
5,455 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
12 |
2,048 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1 |
3,000 |
|
Occupational Injury Benefit |
N/a |
186 |
115. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Social Protection the penalties in place for landlords who refuse to accept rent supplement or the housing assistance payment as a form of payment. [10772/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 56,800 people for which the Government has provided approximately €267 million for 2016. Over 20,100 rent supplement tenancies were awarded during 2015 and over 4,500 during the first four months of 2016 showing that landlords are accommodating significant numbers of persons under the scheme.
Recent amendments in Equality legislation, as provided for under the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015, serve to further protect tenants’ rights. This provision, as enacted from 1 January 2016, prohibits discrimination in the letting of residential property to people who are in receipt of a rent supplement or any other social welfare payment, or a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Department officials had engaged with the owners of the larger property websites in advance of this legislation and progress had already been made in this area regarding advertising of properties.
Persons who feel they have been discriminated against by a landlord or their agent may wish to contact the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission or make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission.
Policy responsibility for equality legislation, and its implementation, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure a person (details supplied) must follow to obtain a marriage gratuity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10775/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for my colleague the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform.
