Written Answers Nos. 176-190
176. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to upgrade the site of Athcarne Castle (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the site is very unsafe and is currently in a state of untidiness and dilapidation. [32749/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no plans currently to carry out any major works at Athcarne Castle. This is a medieval structure which is, like much of the National Monuments estate, in a ruined condition. However, in line with the principles of conservation in situ, the Office of Public Works proposes to maintain the structure in place and to prevent any further deterioration.
Currently, the site probably shows seasonal weed and grass growth. The National Monuments team within the OPW will address this shortly as part of its normal maintenance activities.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the basis on which the spouses' and children's pension scheme contribution needs to be repaid in the case of a person (details supplied); the relevant legislation governing the repayment of the spouses' and children's pension scheme in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original spouses’ and children’s pension scheme for the civil service was put in place by way of SI 132 of 1977 http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1977/si/132/made/en/print and the revised scheme was put in place by way of circular 16 of 1984 http://circulars.gov.ie/pdf/circular/finance/1984/16.pdf, which has statutory underpinning in the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956.
Under the terms of the scheme, any period of service for which periodic contributions have not been made by means of deduction from salary is subject to the payment of non-periodic contribution. In accordance with scheme rules, the level of contribution is calculated at retirement on the basis of 1% of final pensionable remuneration in respect of each years. The rules governing non-periodic contributions are set out in circular 16 of 1984.
The person referred to by the Deputy re-entered employment in the civil service with the Revenue Commissioners in 2002. She raised a case with PeoplePoint in December 2015 asking how much it would cost her to pay back her marriage gratuity.
On 22 January 2016, the person was advised of the cost of repaying the marriage gratuity at that time and also that she could opt instead to repay the gratuity from her retirement lump sum at the time of her retirement, on the basis that the marriage gratuity would continue to accrue compound interest until date of retirement.
She was also advised that there was a further charge owing towards the Spouses and Children’s scheme in respect of the period for which she had received the marriage gratuity. This could be effected either by way of lump sum deduction from retirement lump sum, or doubling up on Spouses & Children’s contributions for a period equal to that for which she had received the marriage gratuity.
178. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans by the OPW to carry out conservation or restoration works at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33040/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans for restoration, conservation and improvement works to be carried out at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33041/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
There are no plans currently to carry out any major works at the Rock of Dunamaise apart from general ongoing maintenance, grasscutting, weed removal etc. This is a medieval structure which is, like much of the National Monuments estate, in a ruined condition. In line with the principles of conservation in situ, the Office of Public Works Heritage Service strategy is to maintain the structure in place and prevent any further deterioration.
180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the 2018 and estimated full-year cost of all additional expenditure commitments announced as part of budget 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPage 36 of Expenditure Report 2017 provided an estimate of €473 million in respect of the full-year impact of Budget 2017 current expenditure measures. This has been reproduced in the table.
|
€m |
2018 Additional Impact |
|
Social Protection |
170 |
|
Gross Cost of Social Protection Package |
|
|
Education |
98 |
|
Funding for new measures |
|
|
Health |
97 |
|
Existing service including 1,200 additional staff and new measures |
|
|
Housing |
44 |
|
Funding primarily for the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness (net of transfer from Department of Social Protection) |
|
|
Children and Youth Affairs |
64 |
|
Additional funding including for Single Affordable Childcare Scheme |
|
|
Total |
473 |
As these estimates relate to measures being implemented in 2017, they will be impacted by the actual cost and timing of implementation and consequently the estimated costs will be reassessed as part of the Budget Estimates process.
The Deputy will be aware that, as noted in the Expenditure Report 2017, under the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Government has committed to a 2018 capital ceiling of €1,113 million for the Department of Housing, Planning, Community & Local Government, an increase of €325 million on the capital ceiling for 2018 published in the Expenditure Report.
181. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an annual timeframe on the way in which pay restoration for the pubic sector will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there will be full restoration of public pay and pensions for public sector workers by 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32271/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.
The Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 contains the following pay adjustments:
2018
- 1 January 2018 annualised salaries to increase by 1%;
- 1 October 2018 annualised salaries to increase by 1%.
2019
- 1 January 2019 annualised salaries up to €30,000 to increase by 1%;
- 1 September annualised salaries to increase by 1.75%.
2020
- 1 January 2020 annualised salaries up to €32,000 to increase by 0.5%;
- 1 October 2020 annualised salaries to increase by 2%.
A copy of the proposed Agreement can be found on the Department's website: http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/LRA-extension.pdf
The proposed Agreement, which is subject to ratification by Unions and Representative Associations for public servants, provides a series of affordable pay increases which will unwind FEMPI pay reductions for all those earning up to €70,000, which is equal to almost 90% of public servants over the period to 2020. The Agreement runs from 2018- 2020 and has a cost over that period of €887 million. As such, this provides a clear and realistic route out of FEMPI.
In total the benefits under the Agreement range from 6.2% to 7.4% and again we have weighted these benefits towards those on lower pay. As well as being fair to public servants it is also fair to those who rely on public services and to the exchequer. Under the proposed terms of the Agreement, public servants will make an additional contribution to their pensions, which is reasonable and reflects the higher value of these pension terms compared to the private sector. Crucially, this will place public service pensions on a more sustainable long-term footing.
This additional superannuation contribution will be applied as below:
Additional Superannuation Contribution
Public Servants who are Members of pre-2013 Pension Schemes with Standard Accrual Terms
1 January 2019
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €32,000 |
Exempt |
|
€32,000 to €60,000 |
10% |
|
€60,000 plus |
10.5% |
1 January 2020
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €34,500 |
Exempt |
|
€34,500 to €60,000 |
10% |
|
€60,000 plus |
10.5% |
Public Servants who are Members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme
1 January 2019
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €32,000 |
Exempt |
|
€32,000 to €60,000 |
6.66% |
|
€60,000 plus |
7% |
1 January 2020
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €34,500 |
Exempt |
|
€34,500 to €60,000 |
3.33% |
|
€60,000 plus |
3.5% |
Public Servants who are Members of pre-2013 Pension Schemes with Fast Accrual Terms
(Unchanged)
|
Band |
Rate |
|
Up to €28,750 |
Exempt |
|
€28,750 to €60,000 |
10% |
|
€60,000 plus |
10.5% |
183. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a flood relief project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32356/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the Office of Public Works' request, the consultants on the Shannon CFRAM study carried out a review of the options for addressing the flooding problem in Clonlara. This review has identified an outline viable solution which is now included in the draft Flood Risk Management Plan for this area. Clare County Council has recently requested approval to advance a detailed project-level assessment and design for this outline solution. The OPW has now responded to the Council agreeing to the detailed study being progressed by the Council and has agreed to fund the costs of the study. Should the detailed study find that the project is technically, economically and environmentally viable then the project will be considered for further advancement with planning and construction to be undertaken by the Council.
184. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a flood protection project (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32357/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position in relation to a flood protection scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32381/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) recently received two reports from Clare County Council (CCC), one regarding Cloughaninchy and one on Quilty West. The review of the submission on Cloughaninchy is almost complete and the OPW will be in contact with CCC very shortly on this. The submission on Quilty West is currently being considered and OPW will be in touch with CCC on this as soon as possible.
186. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to close the main road through the Phoenix Park as has occurred in previous years during the summer period; the rationale behind the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32382/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works has operated a part road-closure of Chesterfield Avenue in the Phoenix Park from Friday, 28 April 2017 and this will continue until Sunday, 24 September 2017. Closure runs from 8pm Friday evening to 8pm Sunday evening on each weekend during the summer period. The measure was introduced in 2012 in furtherance of the objectives of the Phoenix Park Conservation Management Plan 2011. The rationale behind this policy is to facilitate the open access of Chesterfield Avenue at weekends to pedestrians, cyclists, runners, walkers and families. Public feedback suggests that the majority of those using the Park favour the closure, citing it as positive for encouraging families to use the Park without the obvious risks to life and limb that come with vehicular traffic.
187. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No.188 of 17 May 2017, the considerations being given to retired public sector employees in the Lansdowne Road 2 talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 17 May 2017, when the public service pension reduction under FEMPI will be fully repealed and pensions reinstated; the measures his Department is taking in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.
As I have previously indicated, a very significant part-unwinding of the Public Service Pension Reduction (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.
In my annual review of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest legislation, which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 29 June 2017, I concluded that, having regard to the overall economic conditions in the State, the measures put in place under the FEMPI Acts, including PSPR, continue to be necessary.
In this review, I also noted that the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 represents a sustainable further unwinding of the FEMPI legislation over the coming years.
In that context, section 6.2 of the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, indicates that, over the duration of that agreement if ratified, policy on public service pensions in payment will be guided by the following three elements:
First, the need to adopt an equitable approach to the various public service pensioner cohorts differentiated by date of retirement (in particular pre and post end-February 2012) is affirmed.
Second, for those who retired or will retire post end-February 2012, to the extent that they retired on reduced salaries for pension award purposes, they will receive pension increases in line with pay increases received by their peers currently in employment in accordance with the terms of the collective agreement.
Third, when alignment is achieved between pre and post end-February 2012 pensioners, as will happen progressively for salary ranges up to €70,000 in 2020 under the proposed collective agreement, pay increases will continue to benefit pensions in payment for the duration of the agreement.
189. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the unallocated spend within his Department for 2017; the expenditure allocated to programmes in 2017 which are due to cease in 2017; the funds which will become available within his Department's expenditure profile in 2018 due to changes in demand for services and goods and-or changes to costs within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of my Department’s budget is allocated before the start of the year and therefore it has no unallocated spend for 2017. There are currently no programmes due to cease in 2017.
Like other Departments, my Department has commenced the 2018 Estimates process and this involves a detailed review of the budget required for next year. Allocations for 2018 will be announced in the Estimates on Budget Day.
190. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff full-time equivalents employed by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in each of the years 2008 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the expenditure on salaries, wages and allowances, travel and subsistence, training and development, incidental expenses, postal and telecommunications services, office equipment, external information technology, office premises expenses, consultancy services and legal fees expenditure on contract audit service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by the Comptroller and Auditor General that the detailed information requested is being collated and will be sent directly to the Deputy by his Office.
