Written Answers Nos 672-689
672. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if persons recruited to direct entry positions in the public sector are paid an allowance for holding a level 8 qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20228/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has overarching responsibility for recruitment to the civil service only. Persons recruited to direct entry positions in the Civil Service do not receive an allowance for holding a Level 8 qualification. Any queries in respect of payment of allowances for educational qualifications in, for example the Education Sector or Health Sector would be a matter, in the first instance for the Minister for Education and Skills or the Minister for Health respectively.
673. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action being taken to address the provision of pensions for community employment supervisors; his views on the need to rectify this situation without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20334/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Sector High Level Forum (or Working Group) (previously the Informal Forum) was convened in 2015 and 2016 to examine certain issues pertaining to the Community Employment sector having regard to the implications for costs and precedent. The Forum continues to meet, most recently on 7 April last, to give consideration to the issues to which the Deputy refers.
It does however continue to be the position that state organisations are not the employer of the particular employees concerned and that it is not possible for the State to provide funding for such a scheme. The employees in question are, or were, employees of private companies notwithstanding the fact that the companies concerned are, or were, reliant on State funding. In considering the matter, regard must be had to the costs and the precedent of such an arrangement were one to be created and further detailed scoping work is required in this regard over the coming months.
674. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the options for persons in the teaching profession forced into retirement at 65 years of age and thus denied an extra year's salary while still not qualifying for the old age pension until they are 66 years of age; and his plans to address this anomaly. [20483/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, an Interdepartmental Working Group, chaired by my Department, was established early in 2016 to examine the issues arising from prevailing retirement ages for workers in both the public and private sectors, in the context of the current age of entitlement to the State Pension and the scheduled increases to the State Pension age in 2021 and 2028. The Group’s Report was agreed by Government last August.
On foot of one of the recommendations of the Report, my Department, with Public Service employers, was tasked to review the current statutory and operational considerations giving rise to barriers to extended participation in the public service workforce up to and including the current age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pension. This review is currently underway and is expected to be completed in this quarter. I understand that the Department of Education and Skills as a major public service employer in the education area has been directly consulted in this review.
Future policy in this area will be considered by Government following the outcome of this review. Any change in the compulsory retirement ages for public servants will require primary legislation.
677. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when correspondence from a person (details supplied) will be replied to in full; the reason for the delay in replying to this correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20530/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised in the correspondence are complex and have required the participation of a number of staff in different Departments to research and present the material properly. I understand that a full response to the correspondence in question will be issued in the coming days.
678. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a storm protection scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20567/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA report relating to the coastal erosion risk management study for the area in question was submitted by Clare County Council to this office in 2016. This report and the proposals contained therein were discussed at a meeting between the Office of Public Works (OPW), Clare County Council and the Consultants in September 2016.
The OPW are awaiting a revised proposal from Clare County Council for a cost-beneficial and viable flood defence option for Seafield and Clohaninchy, Quilty, Co. Clare.
679. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he expects the mid-term review of the capital investment plan to be finalised and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20568/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubmissions in relation to the mid-term review and the additional funding available, were sought from Departments in January and are currently being examined by officials in my Department.
A public consultation process has also recently concluded to ascertain the views of the public and key stakeholders on what our national infrastructure priorities should be and to seek views on infrastructure investment priorities beyond the period of the current Capital Plan, which will help formulate a longer term Capital Plan for the next 10 years.
My Department's assessment of the submissions received on the Capital Review will be based on, for example, updated analysis of infrastructure capacity and demand as well as the new National Planning Framework due to be published later this year in order to ensure that the additional capital resources are targeted on priority public capital infrastructure required to support Ireland's medium-term growth potential and underpin social cohesion.
It is expected that the review process will be completed in Quarter 3 of 2017, to enable the Government to make final decisions in due course on how the remaining additional capital funding should be allocated.
680. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a minor works application been submitted from Galway County Council on behalf of a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that no application has been received under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection scheme for the area referred to in the Deputy’s question.
I would emphasise that the Minor Works scheme is not a grant scheme for individual householders or community groups and is not operated in that way. It is a funding programme between OPW and local authorities to enable the latter to undertake smaller scale, localised works. All applications must be received from the local authority and, if funding is approved, the works must be organised, contracted and paid for directly by the local authority. Full details of the scheme are on www.opw.ie
681. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason run-off water was not included as part of the scope of works in the terms of reference for the Gort CFRAMS study; the cost in each of the years, 2010 to 2016, and to date in 2017, to have a CFRAM completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFlood risk from run-off water within an urban context (i.e., urban storm water drainage) is of a very different nature from fluvial and coastal flooding in terms of both mechanisms and methods to manage and reduce the risk, and is a matter for the Local Authorities. The OPW Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Studies are focusing on managing the flood risks from fluvial and coastal sources. While rural run-off into streams, and into groundwater systems that later emerge into streams, that run through one of the Areas for further Assessment (AFAs), such as Gort, would have been taken into account in the CFRAM Studies, the Studies did not set out to address more local urban storm water drainage issues.
The core strategy for addressing significant flood risks nationally is the CFRAM Programme. Gort, Co Galway is part of the Western CFRAM Study and was designated as one of thirty-one Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) under that study.
The annual cost of the Western CFRAM study from 2010 to date including the cost of the topographical survey work, is outlined in the following table:
Western CFRAM Study costs
|
Year |
Annual cost € Vat inclusive |
|
2010 |
nil |
|
2011 |
79,010 |
|
2012 |
791,350 |
|
2013 |
731,660 |
|
2014 |
363,070 |
|
2015 |
414,110 |
|
2016 |
182,568 |
|
2017 to date |
363,090 |
|
TOTAL |
2,924,858 |
The current position regarding the CFRAM Programme is that the flood risk management plans are now being finalised and this process is near completion. A prioritised list of feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, will be drawn up to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The Plans will then be submitted for approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
682. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to remove cost benefit criteria for applications for funding for minor or major capital works projects in Gort (details supplied). [20682/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans to remove cost benefit criteria from the assessment of capital works funding proposals. In relation to applications for funding for minor capital works a review of the Office of Public Works Minor Works Scheme is currently under way with a view to examining the criteria for consideration within the Scheme, including for example the various thresholds for the assessment of benefit and the financial limits for applications under the Scheme. The review, which includes consultations with Local Authorities, is examining any potential improvements, administrative or financial, which will facilitate applications under the scheme. The review will be completed in the shortest possible timeframe.
Any major capital works involving public expenditure of a significant nature requires robust cost benefit analysis in order to comply with the Public Spending Code.
683. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding provisions in place for persons who need to carry out riverbank management and preservation on their lands (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) carries out a programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500 km of river channel and approximately 730 km of embankments nationally. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995. The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain the completed schemes in proper repair and effective condition. The annual maintenance programme typically involves some clearance of vegetation and removal of silt build-up on an average five-yearly cycle. Each year, work is carried out to approximately 2,000 km of channel and about 200 structures around the country. Maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.
Outside of the above schemes, maintenance of riverbanks would be the responsibility of the riparian landowner. Work to develop guidance to clarify the rights and responsibilities of landowners in relation to the maintenance of water course on or near their lands is at an advanced stage and will be subject to legal advice before being finalised.
684. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Pay Commission will issue its initial report; the timeframe to end inequality in teachers' pay structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Pay Commission is due to report shortly in accordance with the general time frame envisaged when it was originally established.
While pay matters generally are a matter for my Department it is the position that the issue of teachers’ terms and conditions of employment is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills to consider.
685. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the operational activities and costs to the State of the Western Development Commission. [19191/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Western Development Commission (WDC) was established in 1997 as part of a response to the severe population decline of the Western Region. It was put on a statutory footing in 1999 under the Western Development Commission Act, 1998. The main aim of the WDC is to promote, foster and encourage economic and social development in the Western Region, which covers counties Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare.
The strategic goals of WDC currently are to:
- contribute to balanced regional development by ensuring that the Western Region maximises its full potential for economic and social development;
- promote the benefits of living, working and doing business in the Western Region;
- support the sustainable economic and social development of the rural economy;
- provide risk capital to SMEs and social enterprises; and
- operate the WDC as a competent and effective organisation.
The WDC provides research and analysis to support policy-making on economic and social development in the Western Region. It provides risk capital to micro, small and medium sized and social enterprises through the Western Investment Fund, and is involved in a number of EU-funded projects.
My Department contributes approximately €1.5 million in Current funding towards the running costs of the WDC. The 2017 Revised Estimates Volume also includes a Capital allocation of €1 million for the Commission.
686. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the meetings her Department has had on the CEDRA report both internally and externally in tabular form. [19632/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra702. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the status of the CEDRA report; and the status of each individual recommendation from the report in tabular form. [19630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra703. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of persons in her Department working on implementing the CEDRA report; and the number of meetings both internally and externally that have taken place on this since 6 May 2016. [19631/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 686, 702 and 703 together.
The Report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) was published in April 2014 and contained a series of recommendations to Government in relation to rural development, many of which have already been implemented.
The priority recommendation made by CEDRA was the need for a co-ordinated approach to rural development across Government led by a Cabinet Minister. The assignment of responsibility to my Department for regional and rural development, and the creation of a new Regional and Rural Affairs Division in my Department, addresses this key recommendation.
The Government's Action Plan for Rural Development, which I launched in January of this year, builds on, and goes further than, the CEDRA report by focusing on both the economic and social development of rural areas. It will act as an overarching structure for a range of Government initiatives which have the potential to benefit rural Ireland.
The Plan contains over 270 specific commitments to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies. It is being overseen by a Monitoring Committee, which I chair, and Progress Reports on the implementation of the actions in the Plan will be published every six months.
Within my own Department, actions will be delivered across all Divisions and by a number of agencies to support rural Ireland in areas such as built and natural heritage, arts and culture, recreational tourism, the Irish language, town and village renewal, and supporting sustainable communities.
687. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding sources available for a Gaeltacht community to construct a roadside sign and to print maps outlining the location of each local logainm on the map and within the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19169/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers the Scéim Áiseanna Pobail agus Teanga (the Community and Language Facilities Scheme) in the Gaeltacht, under which financial assistance can be provided towards the capital costs associated with developing or improving community and language facilities in the Gaeltacht. The Deputy should also note that Gaeltacht residents have access to the same schemes available to people outside of the Gaeltacht, such as the LEADER programme which is also administered by my Department. LEADER funding is delivered through Local Action Groups in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. The LEADER programme funds projects under three policy themes:
- Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation
- Social Inclusion, and
- Rural Environment.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the sub-regional area concerned and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
Funding approvals are a matter for the Local Action Group in the relevant area and I have no function in relation to these matters.
688. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the estimated cost of rolling out a programme here equivalent to Líofa which is a government sponsored Irish language programme operating in Northern Ireland. [19206/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Líofa initiative, which is a government sponsored Irish language programme operating in Northern Ireland, was launched in September 2011 with the objective of having 1,000 people commit to improving and using their Irish. I understand that an examination of the potential development of a similar initiative in this jurisdiction, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and other relevant Irish language organisations, was undertaken by Foras na Gaeilge in 2013. However, due to the more robust infrastructure south of the border, including educational support and the long-standing existence of organisations to promote the Irish language, the circumstances surrounding the potential introduction of such a programme in the South would be quite different to those prevailing in the North.
In this context, no estimate has been compiled of the costs associated with the roll-out of such a programme in this jurisdiction.
689. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén costas a bhainfidh le Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga a chur i bhfeidhm don scoilbhliain 2017/2018 agus gach scoil laistigh den Ghaeltacht san áireamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19207/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar a thug mé le fios i bhfreagra ar Cheist Dála Uimhir 279 ar 6 Nollaig 2016, tá sé aontaithe leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna go ndéanfar athbhreithniú iomlán ar Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga mar chuid den Pholasaí don Oideachas Gaeltachta 2017-2022 a foilsíodh anuraidh. Táthar ag súil leis an athbhreithniú seo a bheith déanta sa bhliain atá amach romhainn.
Is iad Muintearas Teo. agus Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne a dhéanann riaradh ar an scéim seo agus glactar le hiarratais ó gach scoil sa Ghaeltacht. Ní chuirtear cúnamh ar fáil, áfach, ach do scoileanna a chomhlíonann critéir na scéime. Faoin scéim seo, cuirtear Cúntóirí Teanga, gur cainteoirí líofa Gaeilge iad, ar fáil mar thaca do scoileanna Gaeltachta chun cuidiú le páistí nach bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar phríomh-theanga acu nó páistí a dteastaíonn tuilleadh cabhrach uathu chun an Ghaeilge a shealbhú. Scoileanna ina bhfuil polasaí láidir Gaeilge i bhfeidhm iontu amháin atá i gceist le gur féidir leis na páistí sin freastal ar ghnáthranganna trí Ghaeilge taobh istigh de achar gearr.
In 2012, cuireadh cúnamh breise ar fáil chun beartais ar leith a chur i gcrích a bheadh dírithe freisin ar shaibhriú teanga go príomha, dírithe ar na páistí a bhfuil an Ghaeilge ar a dtoil acu cheana féin. Is léir mar sin go bhfuil riachtanais dhifriúla ag na scoileanna seo agus, dá bhrí sin, níl an cúnamh céanna i gceist i gcás gach scoil de bharr cúinsí éagsúla.
Sa chomhthéacs seo, ní féidir le mo Roinn an meastachán costais atá iarrtha ag an Teachta a ríomh go cruinn. Is féidir liom a dheimhniú gur cuireadh €781,241 ar fáil faoin scéim don scoil bhliain 2016/2017.
