Written Answers Nos. 664-71
664. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of meetings his officials have had both internally and externally regarding the financial management of Templemore training college, by date, in tabular form. [19635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe financial management of the Garda training college is in the first instance a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner is the Accounting Officer with ultimate responsibility in this area. As with all public bodies, it is expected that there is full compliance with the Public Financial Procedures and my Department is responsible for the content of these procedures and for the development of broader Government Accounting policy. The full handbook is published on the Department's website.
No external meetings have taken place specifically in relation to the Garda college but matters such as this would be raised in ongoing meetings between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality. Likewise within my Department officials with responsibility for expenditure relating to the Department of Justice and Equality and those with responsibility for publishing financial procedures would have reason to discuss this matter in the normal course of their work.
665. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief measures in place near Ballinagare Bridge, Ballyduff at which pumps installed by the OPW that operate to drain approximately 1,000 acres of land to the nearby river are not currently working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19749/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pumps referred to by the Deputy were installed and are maintained by the Office of Public Works (OPW) for the purpose of providing outfall during the farming (summer grazing) period, generally for 6 to 7 months of the year. They are not intended for use outside of this period, except in the event of low-lying properties being at risk during a flood event.
The pumps have been in operation over the last few weeks. There have been some difficulties with electricity supply to this remote site and the OPW is progressing a long-term solution with regard to power supply to the pumps.
666. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the equalisation of pay scales for public sector workers who are on reduced pay rates in comparison to their working colleagues. [19785/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 2 March 2017.
667. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the relocation grant scheme for farmers affected by flooding along the river Shannon will be finalised; and the timeframe for its implementation. [19901/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast month, the Government agreed the administrative arrangements for a Homeowners Voluntary Relocation Scheme for those primary residential properties that flooded during Winter 2015/2016. This is a national scheme of humanitarian assistance, targeting aid at those worst affected properties, for which there are no alternative feasible measures. This scheme will include a farmer’s primary residence where it meets the eligibility criteria.
Further details regarding the Homeowners Voluntary Relocation Scheme, including the eligibility criteria are available on the OPW website.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has indicated that the administrative arrangements for the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme will help it identify those farmyard buildings worst affected by the flooding during Winter 2015/2016. That department will work with these individual farms to determine if there are any alternative remedial works to protect those farmyard buildings at risk. This approach will inform the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation.
668. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding development of flood relief measures and proposals relating to individual property protection, IPP, assistance to homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20031/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group is considering the estimated costs and benefits associated with the introduction of any potential individual property protection (IPP) scheme. The Group is being informed by two different pilot projects, which are currently underway in Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny and Crossmolina in County Mayo.
In respect of the pilot schemes in County Kilkenny, the OPW is funding the costs of a feasibility study into the potential provision of individual property protection, which is due to conclude and make recommendations in the coming weeks.
In Crossmolina, consultants have undertaken surveys of individual properties and Mayo County Council has procured a contractor who is currently installing the IPP defences at the relevant properties.
The Co-ordination Group expects later this year to submit its proposals for Government to consider in relation to any appropriate assistance for Individual Property Protection.
669. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regrading the upgrade of Tubbercurry Garda station in County Sligo; if the proposals submitted regarding the extent of the facilities required have been evaluated; his plans to grant approval for works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20032/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn foot of a request from An Garda Síochána (AGS), the Office of Public Works (OPW) has developed draft proposals for the internal refurbishment of Tubbercurry Garda Station and the construction of a new extension to the rear to provide additional office accommodation and other facilities for the Station party. These proposals were forwarded to AGS for review and a response is awaited. Once approval of the proposed scheme and confirmation of the availability of funding for the project is received, OPW will continue to progress the project.
670. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the Public Sector Pay Commission to complete its work and publish a report. [20053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra675. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received the Public Service Pay Commission's draft report; his plans to implement recommendations to realign the pay of new entrant teachers with the pay of their longer-serving colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20485/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra676. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Pay Commission report will be published; the Government's timeframe to end pay inequality for teachers who qualified after 2011 in view of the fact that it is now six years since these measures came into effect; when a decision will be made to reverse the cuts in pay for new entrant teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20509/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 670, 675 and 676 together.
The Public Service Pay Commission has been tasked with providing an initial report to Government on public service remuneration in the context of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 - 2015. The findings of the Commission will contribute to and inform Government's considerations in relation to Public Service remuneration and will inform Public Service employers in negotiations with staff interests on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
The Commission is expected to report shortly. It is intended that, following consideration by Government, the report will be published.
The issue of the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement. Furthermore, flexibility provided for within the Lansdowne Road Agreement has allowed particular sectoral issues to be addressed more recently such as the restoration of supervision and substitution payments and new entrant payments in the Education Sector.
671. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will restore public sector pay to eliminate inferior pay scales and pension schemes for newer workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20054/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 10% reductions in starting pay for certain new entrants were introduced in January 2011 as part of the National Recovery Plan in order to reduce the Public Service Pay Bill by the then Government.
The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). From 1 November 2013 pre and post-2011 pay scales were merged into a single consolidated scale applicable to each grade. Generally, the third point of 1 November 2013 pay scale is equivalent to the first point of the pre 2011 scale. Guidelines in relation to the merging of the scales are available on my Departments website http://www.per.gov.ie/en/haddington-road-agreement/
Any further remuneration adjustment, for any group of public servants including new entrants, can be examined under the framework of the Lansdowne Road Agreement but must also be considered in the context of the total cost of the agreement (€844 million) and the total cost of the outstanding FEMPI restoration post Lansdowne Road (€1.4 billion).
Acting within these constraints, the Agreement has provided the flexibility to address particular sectoral issues such as the restoration of supervision and substitution payments and new entrant payments in the Education Sector and the restoration of rent allowances to new entrant firefighters and members of An Garda Síochána.
The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 introduced a new Single Pension Scheme for new entrants to the public service from 1 January 2013. Being a career-average Pension Scheme in which retirement benefits are based on a member's earnings throughout their entire public service career, the Single Scheme represents a significant departure from the nature of earlier Public Service Schemes operating in Ireland that have been based on members' final salary. This scheme has a minimum pension age which is linked to future increases in the age for the Contributory State Pension, and pension benefits are linked to rising inflation rather than pay. This major reform aims for very substantial long-run savings of about one third of pension pay-out costs, while still delivering fair and reasonable pensions to members and ensuring the continued fiscal sustainability of public service pension costs into the future.
