Written Answers Nos 350-370
350. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of restoring entry level pay scales to pre-FEMPI levels, for example, equal pay for newly qualified teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28983/17]
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 payscale 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/.
In addition, the Lansdowne Road 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.
Indicative estimates of the total cost of moving all staff hired on new entrant scales up two increment points would be over €209m excluding any cost in respect of retrospective payment.
Following consideration of the Public Service Pay Commission's published report by the Government, public service unions and staff representative associations were invited to engage with public service employers led by officials of my Department, on the negotiation and agreement of an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement. These discussions commenced on the 22 May and concluded on the 8th June last. The outcome to these discussions, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission, is available on the DPER website http://www.per.gov.ie/en/minister-donohoe-welcomes-proposals-issued-by-wrc-on-extension-to-the-lansdowne-road-agreement/.
The terms of the proposals, commended to both parties by the Workplace Relations Commission, includes a reference to the new entrant issue at Paragraph 4. This provision acknowledges issues of concern on this matter and provides for an examination of the remaining salary scale issues to be undertaken within 12 months of the commencement of the proposed Agreement.
351. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff employed in his Department and in each State agency under the aegis of his Department, by county, in tabular form [29030/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, the following tables outline the number of staff employed by my Department by county.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Dublin |
398 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
|
Total |
403 |
Office of Government Procurement
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Dublin |
149 |
|
Cork |
12 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
|
Meath |
17 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
|
Total |
195 |
National Shared Services Office
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Dublin |
368 |
|
Clare |
4 |
|
Galway |
70 |
|
Offaly |
93 |
|
Kerry |
137 |
|
Total |
672 |
In addition, the tables below outline the number of staff employed by bodies under the aegis of my Department by county.
Institute of Public Administration
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Dublin |
86 |
|
Total |
86 |
Public Appointments Service
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Dublin |
166 |
|
Total |
166 |
Office of the Ombudsman
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Dublin |
114.3 |
|
Total |
114.3 |
State Laboratory
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Kildare |
92.8 |
|
Total |
92.8 |
Special EU Programmes Body
|
County |
Number of staff |
|
Antrim |
38 |
|
Monaghan |
9 |
|
Tyrone |
15 |
|
Total |
62 |
Office of Public Works
|
County |
State Industrial |
Established |
Total |
|
Carlow |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clare |
7 |
0 |
7 |
|
Cork |
71 |
10 |
81 |
|
Donegal |
33 |
2 |
35 |
|
Dublin |
543 |
201 |
744 |
|
Galway |
147 |
27 |
174 |
|
Kerry |
86 |
5 |
91 |
|
Kildare |
29 |
0 |
29 |
|
Kilkenny |
87 |
44 |
131 |
|
Laois |
11 |
2 |
13 |
|
Leitrim |
11 |
2 |
13 |
|
Limerick |
57 |
17 |
74 |
|
Longford |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Louth |
17 |
1 |
18 |
|
Mayo |
42 |
37 |
79 |
|
Meath |
157 |
308 |
465 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
17 |
0 |
17 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Sligo |
19 |
6 |
25 |
|
Tipperary |
69 |
3 |
72 |
|
Waterford |
8 |
6 |
14 |
|
Westmeath |
32 |
6 |
38 |
|
Wexford |
43 |
1 |
44 |
|
Wicklow |
21 |
2 |
23 |
|
Total |
1,517 |
681 |
2,198 |
352. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the costs of all the Civil Service pension schemes which cover personnel in established and established Civil Service and State industrial posts that are not members of the single public service pension scheme. [26527/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the Deputy is referring to the cost of the pension schemes for established and non-established civil servants, including State industrial posts.
The gross provisional outturn figures for expenditure on civil service pension schemes (excluding the Single Public Service Pension Scheme) for established and non-established personnel made from Vote 12 Superannuation and Retired Allowances are summarised in the following table:
|
Scheme |
2016 Provisional Outturn €000 |
|
Pension schemes for established civil servants, and for spouses and children of established civil servants, members of the judiciary and court officers |
477,467 |
|
Pension schemes for non-established civil servants, and for spouses and children of non-established civil servants |
21,243 |
353. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to extend the retirement age beyond 65 years of age for local authority employees who entered employment prior to 1 April 2004 to bring them in line with those that entered the public service on or after 1 January 2004 that are not obliged to retire on age grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26591/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of progress on work on the abolition of the mandatory retirement age in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26686/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra363. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to change the mandatory retirement age in the public sector, in view of the fact that many persons wish to continue working beyond the age of 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26990/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding public sector retirement; the status of legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27027/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra380. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on progress implementing the recommendation in the interdepartmental report on fuller working lives 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 and planned age of entitlement to the State pension (contributory); the nature and scope of contact with public sector employers regarding the implementation of this recommendation; the public sector employers with which his Department has been in contact on this matter; when he expects the review to be concluded; when the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27424/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when forced retirement at 65 years of age for employees in the public sector will be reviewed and extended to an older age; the timeframe for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27794/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 353, 355, 363, 364, 380 and 385 together.
On foot of one of the recommendations of the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Fuller Working Lives, 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 and planned age of entitlement to the Contributory State Pension.
In the context of the review, which is currently underway, meetings were held with employers from all public service sectors, including the civil service, local authority and health sectors, supplemented by further interactions and discussions with the employers.
The review is expected to be completed by the end of the current quarter.
Future policy in this area will be considered by Government following the outcome of the review, at which time the report of the review will be published.
Any change in the compulsory retirement age for public servants will require primary legislation.
354. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of planned works to develop a new Greystones coastguard station; the barriers which have been identified to completion of works to the station; the estimated cost of completion of works; the estimated completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) and the Irish Coastguard Service (IRCG) are responsible for the financing of Coast Guard Station Projects. The Office of Public Works (OPW) provides advice on the design of such projects and manages their delivery in line with the requirements of the two bodies concerned. The current position is that the Department, the IRCG and the OPW are reviewing the scope of a project for Greystones that will meet their requirements at that location within their overall budgetary parameters. The potential timeframe for the completion of any works involved should become clearer, once this review has been completed.
The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the potential cost of building a facility in Greystones in advance of the procurement process for the construction works involved.
356. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an amount has been factored into net fiscal space projections for 2018 to 2021 regarding the €2.6 billion of additional capital resources to be allocated over the period 2018 to 2021 under the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra357. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total Exchequer funding allocated to the capital plan 2018 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26848/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which he will provide details on the allocation of the €2.6 billion currently unallocated under the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 356 to 358, inclusive, together.
The €2.6 billion of additional capital resources to be allocated over the period 2018 to 2021 arising from the ongoing review of the Capital Plan are included in the most recent forecasts of net fiscal space published by the Department of Finance at Budget-time last October. My Department understands that revised estimates of net fiscal space are currently being prepared by the Department of Finance for publication in the forthcoming Summer Economic Statement.
359. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) per annum since March 2011, in tabular form by his Department or agency or body under the aegis of his Department; the cost per contract; the basis for each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26877/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, the following table outlines the payments made by my Department to the company referenced in the question since March 2011.
|
Year |
Purpose of Contract |
Amount |
|
2011 |
Development of the Public Service Reform Plan 2011 |
€80,465 |
|
2012 |
Capacity and Capability Review of the Central Procurement Function |
€30,750 |
|
2013 |
PeoplePoint Project |
€2,245,165 |
|
2014 |
Procurement Benefits Measurement Guidance |
€29,582 |
|
2014 |
PeoplePoint Project |
€1,141,297 |
|
2015 |
Public Service Spend and Tendering Analysis Report |
€98,400 |
|
2015 |
ICT & Telephony Procurement Support |
€188,190 |
|
2015 |
PeoplePoint Project |
€148,701 |
|
2015 |
PeoplePoint Operations |
€31,144 |
|
2016 |
Civil Service HR Strategy Assessment Workshop |
€6,150 |
|
2016 |
Financial Management Shared Services Project |
€7,201,215 |
|
2017 |
Financial Management Shared Services Project |
€641,136 |
|
Total |
€11,842,195 |
None of the bodies under the aegis of my Department engaged the services of the relevant company.
360. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions which have been taken to date to prevent future flooding episodes in the mid-Shannon region. [26893/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is delivering a multi-annual programme of capital investment in flood defence measures, with €430 million provided for in the Capital Investment Plan 2016 to 2021. Since 2009, a number of major flood defence schemes have been completed in the Shannon catchment area including Ennis Upper and Derrymullen, Ballinasloe. Further schemes are currently underway at Kings Island in Limerick, Foynes, Ennis Lower and Ennis South.
The OPW and Westmeath County Council are working together to advance proposals to deal with the flooding issues in Athlone. OPW has agreed to fund the costs of flood relief works for the town and the Council has appointed consultants to develop and bring forward proposals for several areas of the town which are affected by flooding. The Council hope to progress some of the works in the areas of the Quay, Iona Villas and Golden Island through the Part 8 planning process shortly with possible commencement of construction before the end of the year and to progress the other elements of the works through a Part 10 planning process later in the year with construction in 2018.
The Council also carried out some advance remedial works in the town towards the end of 2016 in the Canal Walk and Griffith Street areas with funding being provided by OPW.
The OPW introduced the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in 2009, following the flood events experienced in many parts of the country. The purpose of the scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. The scheme generally applies where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame.
The attached Table 1 sets out the number of projects approved each year since 2009 for each Local Authority for whom part of their administrative area lies within the Shannon Catchment area.
The core strategy for addressing the significant flood risks along the River Shannon is the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. Of the 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) nationwide, there are 66 in the Shannon River Basin District that have been assessed within the Shannon CFRAM study. These are listed in Table 2 attached.
Feasible flood relief structural measures have been identified to provide protection to almost all properties at assessed significant risk from flooding in these AFAs. Following a public consultation process, the Flood Risk Management Plans are now being finalised, taking on board the observations received.
In 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 and to add value to the CFRAM Programme.
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 that will complement the Group’s Work Programme and the specific measures that are identified for the areas at risk in the CFRAM Draft Shannon Flood Risk Management Plan. The Group has established a sub-committee to address all of the necessary legal, environmental, technical and other considerations that arise in bringing forward both short term and long term proposals that can benefit flood risk management.
The Group has now 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.
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 are 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.
Table 1
Approved Projects under Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme in the Shannon Catchment 2009 to 2017 (to end April)
|
Local Authority |
Approved Projects 2009-2017
|
|||||||||
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
End-April 2017 |
Total |
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Cavan County Council |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Clare County Council |
1 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
23 |
|
Cork County Council |
2 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
25 |
|
Donegal County Council |
0 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
|
Galway County Council |
1 |
66 |
18 |
24 |
7 |
7 |
19 |
14 |
9 |
165 |
|
Kerry County Council |
8 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
27 |
|
Laois County Council |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
0 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
19 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
0 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
27 |
|
Longford County Council |
0 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
16 |
|
Mayo County Council |
8 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
28 |
|
Meath Council County |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
|
Offaly County Council |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
5 |
14 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
4 |
43 |
|
Sligo County Council |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
||
|
Tipperary County Council |
2 |
15 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
4 |
45 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
|
Totals |
32 |
162 |
59 |
61 |
21 |
21 |
41 |
56 |
20 |
473 |
Further details on all projects approved under the Scheme can be found on the OPW website: http://www.opw.ie/en/flood-risk-management/operations/minorfloodworkscoastalprotectionscheme/
Table 2
Areas of Further Assessment (AFAs) in the Shannon CFRAM Study
|
Co Kerry |
Tralee |
Banna |
Moneycashen |
Tarbert Power Station |
|
Listowel |
Abbeydorney |
Ballylongford |
||
|
Co Cork |
Charleville |
Milford |
||
|
Co Limerick |
Athea |
Limerick City |
Castleconnell |
Dromcolliher |
|
Adare |
Clarina |
Croom |
Kilmallock |
|
|
Rathkeale |
Askeaton |
Newcastle West |
Cappamore |
|
|
Abbeyfeale |
Foynes |
|||
|
Co Clare |
Kilkee |
Kilrush |
Springfield |
Killaloe/Ballina |
|
Quin |
Bunratty |
Sixmilebridge |
Shannon |
|
|
Ennis |
Shannon Airport (IRR3) |
O’Briens Bridge |
||
|
Co Tipperary |
Roscrea |
Borrisokane |
Nenagh |
Newport |
|
Co Galway |
Portumna |
Ahascragh |
Ballinalsoe |
|
|
Co Offaly |
Clara |
Pollagh |
Rahan |
Birr |
|
Shannon Harbour |
Shannon Bridge Power Station (IRR2) |
|||
|
Co Laois |
Clonaslee |
|||
|
Co Longford |
Longford |
Clondara |
Edgeworthstown |
Abbeyshrule |
|
Lanesborough Power Station (IRR1) |
Ballymahon |
|||
|
Co Roscommon |
Boyle |
Roscommon |
Castlerea |
Athleague |
|
Co Westmeath |
Athlone |
Mullingar |
Kilbeggan |
|
|
Co Leitrim |
Drumshanbo |
Leitrim |
Mohill |
Dromod |
|
Carrick-on- Shannon |
361. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the threats identified by his Department with regard to the responsibilities of his Department as a result of no deal being reached in Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 2 May 2017 the Government published a position paper setting out its comprehensive approach to the Brexit negotiations. The paper includes an analysis of the economic and sectoral implications of Brexit for Ireland, and sets out the Government's strategy for responding to this challenge. Detailed and intensive work on this is continuing across Government.
Now that the EU has agreed its negotiating position, the Government will intensify its focus on the economic implications of Brexit and will produce a further paper on this issue.
Our contingency work is examining all scenarios and we cannot pre-empt the outcome at this stage.
A key issue for which my Department has responsibility is Ireland's Cooperation Programmes with the UK that are co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, including the North South PEACE and INTERREG Programmes. As part of the contingency planning undertaken by the Government prior to the UK referendum, my Department identified the risks to these EU-funded programmes in the event that the UK voted to leave.
Following the result of the referendum, my short-term objective was to secure the programmes and give programme beneficiaries the confidence they need to proceed with projects. This was achieved last October when, along with the Northern Ireland Finance Minister, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, I was able to announce that we had agreed a safeguard clause that would Brexit-proof letters of offer to programme beneficiaries.
Now that this has been achieved, the medium term objective is to see these programmes successfully implemented out to 2020, through a period during which the UK is expected to leave the EU. The safeguard clause should ensure that this can happen. My long term objective is to have successor programmes post-2020. Work is already underway to secure this objective. I raised the matter at the recent Cohesion Policy meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council in Luxembourg where I also discussed it bilaterally with the Regional Policy Commissioner, Corina Creu.
362. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 378 of 23 May 2017, if he will provide the figures for all pension contributions made by public sector workers in each body under the aegis of his Department, excluding those in the Civil Service, including the pension levy, in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26977/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, the following tables outline the total pension contributions and pension levy made by Public Sector workers, excluding Civil Servants, in each body under the aegis of my Department:
Pension Contributions
|
Year |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Office of Government Procurement) € |
Office of Public Works € |
Special EU Programmes Body € |
Institute of Public Administration € |
|
2010 |
- |
232,000 |
4,389 |
117,561 |
|
2011 |
- |
228,000 |
4,045 |
115,903 |
|
2012 |
- |
225,000 |
4,941 |
124,793 |
|
2013 |
- |
212,000 |
5,355 |
114,428 |
|
2014 |
948 |
253,000 |
5,530 |
99,650 |
|
2015 |
5,580 |
274,000 |
16,512 |
97,244 |
|
2016 |
6,247 |
316,000 |
17,897 |
99,545 |
|
2017 (YTD) |
2,691 |
127,000 |
7,584 |
45,970 |
|
Total |
15,466 |
1,867,000 |
66,253 |
815,094 |
Pension Levy
|
Year |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Office of Government Procurement) € |
Office of Public Works € |
Special EU Programmes Body € |
Institute of Public Administration € |
|
2010 |
- |
2,694,000 |
17,524 |
381,503 |
|
2011 |
- |
2,637,000 |
13,951 |
388,384 |
|
2012 |
- |
2,589,000 |
17,350 |
371,518 |
|
2013 |
- |
2,553,000 |
19,317 |
354,970 |
|
2014 |
3,737 |
2,334,000 |
20,277 |
312,145 |
|
2015 |
7,770 |
2,186,000 |
20,575 |
287,679 |
|
2016 |
6,422 |
1453,000 |
12,069 |
255,911 |
|
2017 (YTD) |
2,773 |
481,000 |
4,631 |
101,786 |
|
Total |
20,702 |
16,927,000 |
125,694 |
2,453,896 |
365. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to an ongoing problem of flooding in a location (details supplied) in County Cork following flood relief measures being put in place; if the resolution of this problem will be pursued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Cork County Council is investigating the problem at this location in the first instance as the flooding may be due to a collapsed drainage culvert in the vicinity of this location rather than any connection to the flood relief scheme. The problem will be addressed appropriately by the relevant body when the exact cause of the problem is identified.
366. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether the standardised test of high-speed verbal and numerical reasoning administered as part of the Civil Service recruitment process discriminates against persons with mental health or neurological conditions which impinge on their ability to complete such high-speed tests that are otherwise highly qualified for recruitment. [27047/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is an independent, statutory body which provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil service.
I understand from PAS that they use verbal and numerical reasoning tests, alongside other assessment tools, for Civil Service roles such as Clerical Officer, Executive Officer, Third Secretary and Administrative Officer. The reason for using these types of test is that there is a very significant body of international research which provides evidence that they are the most effective techniques to predict job performance.
There are a wide range of mental health or neurological conditions and they all impact on individuals in different ways. A number of neurological conditions are on a spectrum. Therefore, the condition will affect different people in different ways.
The PAS offers reasonable accommodations for people who have a disability. There is a Charter of Positive Supports for Candidates with Disabilities which is available on www.publicjobs.ie. One of the Principles in the Charter is:
1. “PAS will positively support candidates with disabilities in requesting reasonable accommodations and will assess all such requests through a transparent, good-practice process which is consistently applied.”
Through a process of allocating reasonable accommodations, the PAS engages with individual applicants to identify the most suitable accommodations for their particular condition.
367. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefore; the dates and details of such competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27142/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is an equal opportunities employer and all recruitment campaigns are conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Codes include the Code of Practice governing the External and Internal Appointments of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Irish Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies, which is available at www.cpsa.ie.
Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies:
- to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities;
- to comply with any statutory Code of Practice;
- to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities; and
- to report every year on achievement of these obligations.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Disability Authority reports on compliance with this 3% target. The following table outlines the latest percentages of staff with disabilities that work in my Department and the bodies under its aegis:
|
Department/Office |
Percentage of staff with disabilities |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform |
5.1% |
|
State Laboratory |
5.43% |
|
Ombudsman |
3.23% |
|
Public Appointments Service |
3.21% |
|
Office of Public Works |
3.7% |
Even though the Institute of Public Administration has an equal opportunities policy, the 3% quota is not being exceeded at the moment. There has not been an advertised competition in relation to the quota as all positions in the Institute are open to suitably qualified applicants irrespective of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, religion or membership of the traveller community.
As the Special EU Programmes Body is a North South Body, the quota of 3% does not apply. Whilst the Body does not work towards a quota regarding the employment of persons with disabilities, 3.16% of the SEUPB’s workforce are regarded as employees with a disability. The Body has not had any specific advertised competitions in relations to the 3% quota.
There is an obligation in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES) for a dedicated competition for people with disabilities to be met in the future and to increase the quota from 3% to 6%. This is being considered by a cross-party group chaired by Mr Fergus Finlay and my Department is a member of the Group.
Currently, recruitment to the Civil and Public Service is based on the merit principle. Although organisations can conduct their own recruitment, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) carries out much of the recruitment for the Civil Service and also recruits for some parts of the wider Public Service. There are no campaigns advertised at present which are confined to people with a disability. The approach of PAS to recruitment is to seek to ensure that, in every aspect of their engagement with candidates, each individual candidate is enabled to perform to the best of their ability across the entire range of recruitment campaigns run by PAS. In keeping with this core value, PAS provides a range of accommodations for people with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment processes for all public service campaigns for which they recruit. PAS also conducts equality-proofing all of the new assessment and selection techniques used as part of those recruitment campaigns.
368. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has undertaken an analysis of whether it would be more efficient in terms of reducing uncertainty and transaction costs on employers to implement the increase in the national training levy proposed as part of the employer contribution mechanism in one budget rather than sequenced over several budgets as proposed. [27200/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether or not it would be possible to vary the rate employers pay on the national training levy to the proposed employer contribution mechanism according to the assumed benefit they derive from higher education training or alternatively to varying contributions by sector whereby employers in more high skilled sectors pay a higher contribution. [27201/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra370. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the limits imposed by the expenditure rule on spending the surplus of the national training fund are due to the legislative provisions which established the fund as a hypothecated revenue rather than as general revenue and as such could be altered by amending the National Training Fund Act 2000 to disestablish the fund as a hypothecated revenue and re-establish it as general revenue. [27203/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra374. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has sought approval from EUROSTAT on whether it would be permissible under the fiscal rules to use the surplus from the national training fund levy for capital expenditure. [27324/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 to 370, inclusive, and 374 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced at Budget time last October my intention, together with the Minister for Education and Skills, to carry out a consultation process on the design and operation of an Exchequer-Employment mechanism to help fund higher and further education and training into the future and to drive continued reform. The consultation process specifically aimed to:
- Fully explore with employers the balance between impacts (on competitiveness and productivity), benefits (of skilled human capital) and costs of a proposed investment mechanism;
- Contribute to the development of an equitable and sustainable long term funding model for HE and FET;
- Strengthen outcomes for the HE and FET system of benefit to employer and the wider economy;
- Convey a clear signal domestically and internationally of the value Ireland places on the education and training of our human capital in an ever more competitive and risk heavy environment; and
- Demonstrate collective leadership where Government and Employers can consult on a high level national priority and together drive enhanced outcomes in return for additional investment.
There was considerable engagement (28 submissions) with the public consultation, which was subsequently followed by an open forum event with stakeholders on May 31st hosted by the Minister for Education and Skills and I. The purpose of the forum was firstly to better understand are the proceeds from the National Training Fund (NTF) currently being put to the best use and secondly, if there was an increase in the NTF levy how should this be configured in order to meet the needs of employers and the wider economy. Both Departments are now actively considering all of the issues raised as part of the consultation process including the specific issues referred to in the Deputy's questions, for example, the sequencing of the proposed increase in the NTF and the scope and case for establishing differential rates for the NTF levy. Following this consideration, the Minister for Education and Skills and I will bring a Memorandum to Government on the outcome of the consultation process and the proposed next steps.
With respect to the use of the surplus in the NTF; as set out in the consultation document this is constrained due to the EU fiscal rules. In the absence of an increased rate of contribution, additional expenditure cannot be sourced from the NTF without a corresponding reduction in Exchequer expenditure in other areas. The rules are designed to ensure that increases in public expenditure are sustainably financed and reduce the risk that additional expenditure is funded on the basis of cyclical or windfall revenues. The fiscal rules are applicable to all government finances therefore to disestablish the fund and re-establish the proceeds as general government revenue, as the Deputy suggested, would not alter its treatment.
As set out in the legislation the intent is for the proceeds of the NTF to be used to give skills to, or raise skills amongst those in, or seeking, employment. Given how the surplus safeguarded the FET sector during the downturn, the implications and knock-on effects of using the fund for any other purpose, including capital expenditure, require careful consideration. Regarding capital expenditure more generally, the Deputy will be aware that the capital plan is currently being reviewed by my Department in order to take stock of our national infrastructure priorities now and in the future and to allocate further resources so that they best meet our social and economic needs.
