Written Answers Nos 24-42
25. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the discussions he has had with the Department of Health with regard to the findings of the Public Service Pay Commission that retention is a key issue within the health sector with pay a significant factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26056/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matters raised by the Deputy are the subject of deliberation between the management side in the context of pay talks which are currently under way with the relevant union side interests. The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission is to inform the pay talks process and it would accordingly be inappropriate to comment further on these matters.
26. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of essential maintenance works along the River Shannon; and his plans to remove the silt deposits and pinch points along the river downstream of Athlone. [26047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2016, the Government took decisive action to support the existing plans in place to address flooding on the Shannon and established the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group to enhance ongoing co-operation of all State agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group is also adding value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is the core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks along the River Shannon.
The Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group has taken the decision to develop a plan for strategic maintenance works on the River Shannon. This will complement the Group’s Work Programme and the specific measures that are identified for the areas at risk in the Draft Shannon Flood Risk Management Plan. The Group has agreed to the delivery of targeted maintenance activities to be carried out in a range of locations this year in accordance with the permitted seasonal windows for such activities. It has established a sub-committee that is currently considering all of the necessary legal, environmental, technical and other considerations that arise in bringing forward both short term and long term proposals.
In addition to these targeted measures over the coming months, the Group has agreed to some environmental and habitat surveys as a first necessary step to inform a long-term plan of maintenance.
The Group has also endorsed the commencement of a specific project to identify viable flood risk reduction measures in the Shannon Callows. Building on initial assessments undertaken as part of the Shannon CFRAM study, the OPW is leading on the project, in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The project is to include more detailed assessment of the possible removal of identified constrictions or "pinch points" upstream of Meelick Weir.
27. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relocation scheme; and when farmers that have been severely affected by flooding can expect to be included on this scheme in order to relocate their farm enterprise. [26046/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast April, the Government agreed the administrative arrangements for a once-off 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.
My officials have been in contact with Local Authorities in relation to the initial identification of potentially eligible properties, and homeowners may also register their interest in the scheme with the OPW before 28 July 2017.
Further details regarding the Homeowners Voluntary Relocation Scheme, including the eligibility criteria, how homeowners can express an interest and the assessment process are available on the OPW website.
The Scheme, as agreed by Government, is for principal residences only and does not include the relocation of any businesses or farm enterprises. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has indicated that the administrative arrangements for the Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme will help it, along with its own records of aid provided to farmers in response to these floods, identify those farmyard buildings worst affected by the flooding during Winter 2015/2016. That department will contact and 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.
28. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the discussions he has had with the Department of Defence with regard to the findings of the Public Service Pay Commission that retention is a key issue within the Defence Forces with pay a significant factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26055/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matters raised by the Deputy are appropriate for deliberation by the management and staff side associations involved in the pay talks which are currently underway under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. The Report of the Public Sector Pay Commission is to inform the pay talks process and it would accordingly be inappropriate to comment further on these matters.
29. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when flood defence construction works will advance in the upper Lee area for Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary. [26236/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Work’s (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Three hundred locations nationwide, designated as Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs), are being assessed under the Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW, working in partnership with the local authorities. Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary are AFAs under the Programme. Public consultation events were held at different stages of the Programme, on the draft flood maps in early Spring 2015 and on the preliminary options in Spring 2016.
From late summer 2016, the OPW further consulted with the public on the draft preferred measures to address the flood risk for each of the 300 AFAs. This included feasible defence measures for Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary to protect against the assessed risk. A Ballingeary Hydrometric Monitoring Regime was also proposed, to include the installation of hydrometric gauges on the Bunsheelin River and River Lee.
Following this public consultation, the process to finalise the Flood Risk Management Plans is nearing completion and is taking on board comments received.
A prioritised list of feasible structural measures 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.
30. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to resolve the ongoing issue of pension entitlements for those who supervise community employment schemes. [26207/17]
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. Further detailed scoping work is required in this regard over the coming months and I look forward to being briefed on the outcome of that work in due course.
31. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to fully restore public service pensions for persons over the threshold of €34,132 (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the frustration of persons who face further reductions from 1 January 2018 in view of the fact that the economic outlook is improving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26210/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the particular measure affecting public service pensions under the financial emergency legislation is the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), which was introduced on 1 January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010.
PSPR reduces the value of those public service pensions which have pre-PSPR values above specified thresholds. It does so in a progressively structured way which has a proportionately greater effect on higher value pensions.
A very significant part-unwinding of PSPR in three stages is taking place under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2015, with PSPR-affected pensioners getting pension increases via substantial restoration of the PSPR cuts on 1 January 2016, 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2018.
This three-stage part-unwinding of PSPR is delivering significant pensions increases to PSPR-affected pensioners. On 1 January 2016 all pensions of up to at least €18,700 became exempt from PSPR; from 1 January 2017, all pensions of up to at least €26,000 are now exempt from PSPR, and from 1 January 2018 all pensions of up to at least €34,132 per year will be exempt from PSPR. Those pensioners not fully removed from the reach of PSPR by dint of these changes will, in the majority of cases, benefit by €1,680 per year from 2018. The cost of these changes is estimated at about €90 million on a full-year basis from 2018.
Under section 12 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, I as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform am required to review the necessity of the FEMPI legislation annually and cause a written report my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The next report is due by end June 2017 and in the context of that report, I shall review the scope of the existing financial emergency measures and the possible further scale-back of those measures, including the PSPR.
32. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work that has been outsourced by the OPW which was traditionally carried out by OPW staff in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26230/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works undertakes a variety of works and functions at a large number of State owned and occupied properties using a mix of direct labour and contracted services.
In one particular instance in the recent past, the OPW was requested by the Oireachtas Commission to assist it in raising the quality of grounds maintenance at Leinster House beyond the very basic level that OPW was able to provide at that time due to the constrained level of direct labour personnel resources available to it.
The OPW assisted the Commission in engaging suitable grounds maintenance contractors, until such time as it is in a position to provide the level of service required by the Commission.
34. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood prevention programme; the key projects that will be carried out in 2017; the key projects that have been completed in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26200/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed to a provision of €430 million for capital flood risk management measures over the period 2016-2021 with the annual allocation rising from €45m to €100m by 2021. This allocation is broken down as follows:
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€45m |
€70m |
€80m |
€90m |
€100m |
This will allow for the completion of projects in the current Capital Programme and the commencement of a number of projects arising from the national Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plans, which are due to be completed shortly.
There are currently twelve major schemes at construction in Bandon (Cork), Bray (Wicklow), Bellurgan (Louth), Claregalway (Galway), Dodder (Dublin), Dunkellin (Galway), Ennis Lower (Clare), Foynes (Limerick), Northlands (Meath), Skibbereen (Cork), South Campshires (Dublin) and Verdant Place (Limerick) with the schemes on the South Campshires, Foynes, Verdant Place and Bray due to be completed this year.
In addition, major schemes at Athlone (Westmeath), Clonakilty (Cork), Ennis South (Clare) and Templemore (Tipperary) are among those expected to be commenced in 2017. The planning and design of a large number of other schemes will also be advanced throughout the year.
The Office of Public Works is also providing funding to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme to undertake local smaller scale flood relief works. To date in 2017, 21 projects have been approved for funding bringing to over 600 the number of projects approved since the Scheme was initiated in 2009.
35. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date in 2017 on investing in flood defences; the amount committed to projects in 2017 and over each of the next five years; and if additional resources will be committed in the mid-term capital review. [26205/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW), in association with the relevant Local Authorities, have to date completed 38 major flood relief schemes with a total investment of almost €300 million. Currently, there are twelve schemes under construction with at least four of these to be completed this year, which include the South Campshires (Dublin), Foynes (Limerick), Verdant Place (Limerick) and Bray (Wicklow).
An allocation of €45m is in place for 2017 for capital flood risk management measures and this forms part of the Government’s commitment of €430 over the period 2016 – 2021 which will see average annual expenditure rise from the current €45m to €100m by 2021. This allocation is broken down as follows:
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
€45m |
€70m |
€80m |
€90m |
€100m |
The 2017 allocation will allow the continued progress of the projects currently under construction and the anticipated commencement of construction works this year on other projects including Athlone, Co Westmeath, Clonakilty, Co Cork, Ennis South, Co Clare and Templemore, Co Tipperary. At the same time, the design and planning of a further 21 schemes from the current Capital Programme will continue with the intention that almost all of these will be implemented before the end of 2021. Other schemes arising from the National Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plans, which are due to be completed shortly, will be advanced through the detailed design and planning processes during this period with some of these being advanced to construction in the timeframe referred to.
The Office of Public Works is also providing funding to Local Authorities under the Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme. So far in 2017, 21 projects have been approved for funding, bringing to over 600 the number of projects approved since the Scheme was initiated in 2009.
In relation to the mid-term Capital Review, I am satisfied that the current allocations committed by the Government to meet the requirement for flood capital defence schemes over the next 5/6 years are sufficient to ensure progress with the implementation of the capital programme over the period as outlined above.
36. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will publish submissions made by Ministers and Departments with regard to the mid-term capital review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26048/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan, which is currently ongoing, my Department wrote to all Government Departments in January inviting submissions. These submissions were to include, inter alia, proposals for reprioritisation within existing allocations to reflect developments or changes in priorities since the Plan was published in 2015 and any new proposals to utilise the additional capital funding now available for allocation over the period 2018-2021.
While submissions are still being received from Departments, my own Department has already commenced the process of engaging on a bilateral basis with Departments that have furnished submissions to discuss the proposals and priorities in their submissions.
My Department's assessment of the submissions received as part of the Capital Review will be based on a number of pieces of research, for example, an Infrastructure Capacity and Demand Analysis carried out by the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service.
It is my intention to publish all of the submissions received from Departments once the current deliberative process is complete.
The Deputy may wish to note that a public consultation in relation to the Review was held in April to ascertain the views of the public and key stakeholders on what our national infrastructure priorities should be. The consultation also sought 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. A response to these submissions will also be published by my Department in due course.
37. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the OPW stopped collecting rent on a property (details supplied) in 2009 having collected the rent in the prior years. [26208/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW purchased the lands at Clonmore on behalf of the Garda Training College in 2006 and let the lands for 2007 and 2008 through the services of an auctioneer.
For the years 2009 to 2013 the Garda Training College took over the letting of the lands and continued to lease the lands to local farmers.
In 2014 the OPW, following discussions with the Garda Training College, took over the responsibility again for the leasing of the lands. OPW’s primary objective was to put in place a longer-term lease with the ultimate objective of improving the quality of the land.
While all rents payable have been received by the State in full, the OPW is currently in discussions with senior management in An Garda Síochána to determine if monies collected by them should have more properly been remitted to OPW. OPW are satisfied that An Garda Síochána are fully investigating the issue and will revert appropriately.
The farm at Dromard is currently let to a neighbouring farmer on a five year lease.
38. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce new legislation or regulations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the National Archives Act 1986 which would require all public bodies and Departments to create and maintain official records of their meetings, activities and affairs in addition to sanctions for non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26053/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, there are a number of general policies governing the recording of activity within public bodies. Specifically related to the creation and maintenance of official records the National Archives Act 1986 requires that the scheduled bodies listed in the Act retain and preserve records made or received, and held in the course of its business. Such records cannot be destroyed except under certain circumstances, such as on receipt of a disposal authorisation issued by the National Archives, or post return of records to the National Archives.
In 2015 the first Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service was published guiding Departments and Offices in the development and documenting of their governance arrangements. The standard requires Departments and Offices to:
- Document and publish their governance arrangements. This includes, inter alia, setting out the formal processes and mechanisms for documenting decisions made within the Department.
- Ensure that Management Boards and other governance structures be accurately minuted.
- Ensure that the organisation has the capacity to fulfil its mandate, including clarity on roles and responsibilities having regard to both record keeping, data management, information management, amongst others.
Furthermore, I am to bring to Cabinet shortly a joint memorandum from my Department and the Department for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht seeking approval for the implementation of a 3 year plan to assist coherent and comprehensive records management within the Public Service. The plan aims to deliver the following objectives.
Immediate
- To give direction to public bodies with regard to records management.
-To reduce spend on offsite storage for records not meriting long term preservation.
- To produce a framework by which public service bodies can implement electronic systems for the efficient and effective management of digital records.
Long-term
- To develop capacity and capability within the public service with regard to records management and increasingly electronic records management.
- To develop capability and capacity in the National Archives to accession and preservation of digital records.
Specifically in regards to records management, this plan aims to deliver a comprehensive set of Public Service records management policies and guidelines. This will also include assessing the need for issuing commensurate regulations over the course of the plan’s implementation.
40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to recent revelations as to the way in which public money may have been misspent and the way in which there may have been a lack of governance in this spending in some third level institutions, the new measures he is planning to put in place to ensure proper oversight of expenditure across all public bodies and institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26273/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Government Departments and public bodies in receipt of public funding must comply, as appropriate, with the relevant requirements of the Public Spending Code. The Public Spending Code sets out the value for money rules and guidance for spending in all public bodies at all stages in the expenditure life cycle – before, during and after spending. The Public Spending Code applies to both capital and current expenditure. The Code outlines what is required of public service managers at different points of the expenditure life cycle and offers advice on how to fulfil those requirements.
In addition to the financial reporting requirements, principles and procedures established in legislation and set out in Public Financial Procedures, new and updated requirements for the management of grant funding provided from public money issued in the form of a DPER Circular 13/2014 – Management and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This circular outlines the public financial management principles, procedures, and additional reporting requirements to be followed in the management of grant funding provided from public money. The fundamental principle is that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The provisions of the circular apply to the movement of funds from a Vote to an outside body, and to any/all onward movements of that funding. The objective is to ensure that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed.
The Accounting Officer has a key role in the system of accountability for public moneys. The Role and Responsibilities of Accounting Officers are set out in the Memorandum for Accounting Officers issued by my Department. The document outlines the system of accountability for public moneys and describes the key elements. It sets out the duties and responsibilities of Accounting Officers in that system and describes the systems and functions that should be in place to support Accounting Officers in carrying out their duties. This document is given to all Accounting Officers on their appointment along with other relevant guidance material such as the Public Financial Procedures.
I am satisfied that a detailed and comprehensive governance framework for public expenditure has been put in place by my Department to ensure that there is economical, efficient and effective use of public funds in line with the purpose to which they are allocated. It is, of course, a matter for each Department and public body concerned to ensure that there are appropriate oversight arrangements and structures in place to ensure that this framework is fully implemented in all cases and where any misspending takes place, financial reporting, internal controls and audit systems to ensure as much as possible that these are detected and are addressed.
42. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the investment in infrastructure will allow Ireland to be Brexit-ready. [25674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubmissions from Departments on the utilisation of the additional capital funding available under the Capital Review have been received and are being scrutinised by my Department.
Departments were asked to factor into their submissions relevant developments since the publication of the Capital Plan in 2015, including the new Programme for a Partnership Government; the provisional results of Census 2016; the draft new National Planning Framework; and of course, Brexit.
In that context it is a matter for each Department, in the first instance, to assess its sectoral capital plans in the light of critical issues such as Brexit, taking into account the analysis of Brexit implications which is currently being carried out, and to propose any consequent reprioritisation of resources as a result.
A public consultation process has also been undertaken, to ascertain the views of the public and key stakeholders on what our national infrastructure priorities should be, in light of issues including Brexit, and to also seek views on infrastructure investment priorities even 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 from Departments 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.
It is expected that the capital review process will be completed in Quarter 3 of 2017, to enable the Government to make final decisions in the context of the Budget on how the remaining additional capital funding should be allocated.
I am satisfied that the approach I have set out to the review of the Capital Plan will help ensure that any particular infrastructure challenges posed by Brexit are fully encompassed in our capital planning.
