Written Answers Nos. 229-248
229. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the cuts to pensions of retired public servants under FEMPI can be restored before 2021 (details supplied); if he will reassure retired public servants that parity between retirees and serving public servants will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular measure which has cut certain public service pensions under the financial emergency legislation is the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). Introduced in 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.
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.
Section 6.2 of the proposed Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which if ratified, will be an extension of the Lansdowne Road Agreement, indicates that over the duration of that agreement, 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.
This means that over the period of the agreement, if ratified, public service pensions in payment will increase in line with pay increases where necessary to ensure that those pensions are equal to the pensions being awarded to same-grade retiring staff.
230. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a breakwater wall will be provided for the residents of Blackrock Terrace, Castletownbere, where severe tidal storms have caused a lot of damage to the houses in adverse weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a matter for Kerry County Council, in the first instance, to assess the risks in specific coastal areas and the level of coastal protection required in those areas.
The Local Authorities may carry out coastal protection works using their own resources. If necessary, they may also put forward proposals to the relevant central Government Departments for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
The Office of Public Works Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme considers applications for funding from local authorities for measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding for coastal erosion risk management studies may also be applied for under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for projects which meet the eligibility criteria including a requirement that the proposed measures are cost beneficial. The OPW has published guidelines for coastal erosion risk management measures and funding applications under the Minor Works Scheme, available on the OPW website.
Any applications received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria available on the OPW website.
Castletown Bearhaven was identified as an Area for Further Assessment (AFA) in the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study for the South Western River Basin District and a proposed measure for the AFA of Castletown Bearhaven has been identified in the Flood Risk Management Plan due to be completed shortly.
231. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a river can be dredged in Athea, County Limerick, via an application under the minor works scheme (details supplied). [35365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAthea is an Area for Further Assessment under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The draft Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) for Athea which is due to be completed shortly includes flood relief works for the town which involve dredging the river channel as one element of the works.
Limerick City and County Council has been advised that an application under the Minor Works scheme would be considered for the full measure proposed in the FRMP and not just the dredging element.
232. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on negotiations regarding a new Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW has completed its role in the acquisition of a property for the new Garda Station in question.
The OPW and the CSSO continue to press for completion of the process by the Vendor of the property.
In view of the Deputy’s repeated interest and questioning on the matter, I can advise that any change in circumstances could be made available to her or she may wish to contact my Office directly.
233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent by his Department on taxi and-or limousine fares in the past two years to date, by year and amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35493/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, the following table outlines the amount spent by my Department on taxi fares in the past two years.
|
Year |
Purpose |
Amount |
|
2015 |
Taxi fares |
€18,616 |
|
2016 |
Taxi fares |
€26,928 |
|
2017 (to date) |
Taxi fares |
€13,942 |
No money has been spent on the hiring of limousines.
234. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated additional cost of ensuring all Civil Service workers receive at least a living wage of €11.70 per hour in 2018; and the equivalent estimate for the wider public sector and semi-State bodies if the requisite information is available. [35713/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, the following table sets out the information sought as it relates to my Department and the bodies under its aegis.
|
Organisation |
Additional Annual Cost |
|
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
€44,207 |
|
National Shared Services Office |
€717,672 |
|
Office of Government Procurement |
€52,370 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
€182,470 |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
€42,737 |
|
State Laboratory |
€3,067 |
|
Office of Public Works |
€507,000 |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
No additional cost |
|
Special EU Programmes Body |
No additional cost |
Detailed costings in other sectors of the public service would require collation and estimation on an individual sector level, based on detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This detailed data is only available to individual public service employers and the Deputy should submit a question to the relevant Ministers.
235. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of finalising all flood relief projects at construction or planning stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35811/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total estimated cost of all major flood relief schemes currently at construction or planning/development stage is €571million and, in respect of which, expenditure to date stands at €122 million. Many of the projects are at an early stage of development and planning and the estimates of costs are subject to change.
The largest scheme currently in development and included in the above total figure is that for the Lower Lee (Cork city) which has an estimated cost of €140m.
The 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.
Over the period of the Government's Capital Programme the OPW will be concentrating on progressing all flood relief schemes in its current works programme. The OPW will also commence in this period the implementation on a prioritised basis of a number of projects arising from the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Plans which are due to be completed shortly.
236. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 20 June 2017, the progress he has made to date to retrieve from the National Archives the details of public bank accounts sanctioned by the Minister for Finance in each of the years 1990 to 1992 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35860/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has concluded its examination of the files held in the National Archives and it has been found that there are no further records of sanction for the opening of public bank accounts for An Garda Síochána for the years 1990-1992 in the relevant files.
I can confirm, therefore, that the only public bank accounts sanctioned for opening by An Garda Síochána, by my Department, for the years 1990 to 2006 are those contained in the schedule attached to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 20 June 2017.
237. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received the 2016 annual report for the OPW; if so, when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35969/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 Annual Report for the OPW was submitted to Government on 11 July, 2017 prior to being laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 July, 2017. It is also published on the OPW website.
238. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the expenditure items in 2017 which are Government priorities but which are not included in Department Votes; the way in which he plans to provide for commitments on public sector pay in bringing forward provisions of the Lansdowne Road agreement, the refund of water charges and payment in December 2017 of the Christmas bonus and other commitments not factored into spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36004/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Budget day last October, the Government set out its priorities in relation to expenditure measures for 2017 in the Expenditure Report 2017, with the Budget Estimates published in that report reflecting these measures. The Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2017 (REV) provided additional details in relation to these Estimates and also reflected additional allocations of just over €40 million to take account of changes since Budget day, with the most significant being that in relation to the Garda pay following the recommendations by the Labour Court.
Departments are required to manage expenditure within the allocations set out in the REV and agreed by the Dáil. Where new priorities emerge in the course of the year which must be met within the approved allocation for each Department, any reallocation of funding from one area, where there may be an emerging underspend, to meet such new priorities would be made in accordance with Public Financial Procedures.
Following the Labour Court Recommendations with respect to Garda pay the Government had to act to ensure that the Lansdowne Road Agreement would remain intact. The agreement reached, to bring forward by five months, from September to April, pay increases due under the Lansdowne Road, has a cost in 2017 of €0.12 billion. As outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, at this stage three months of this additional cost is reflected in expenditure to the end of June with the cost arising this year to be met from available public resources taking into account the scope for reallocation of expenditure arising from the emerging expenditure position later in the year. This position will be monitored closely in order to assess how to meet any additional funding requirements where the need arises.
Turning to the Christmas Bonus, the position for 2017 is essentially unchanged from the position that prevailed for the last three years. The Christmas Bonus to long-term Social Welfare recipients had been abolished in 2009. On Budget day in October 2014, it was announced that a 25% Christmas Bonus would be paid in December of that year. On Budget day in October 2015, a Christmas Bonus of 75% was announced. Demonstrating the Government's commitment to our most vulnerable citizens, an increased 85% bonus was paid in 2016 as set out in my Estimates Statement on Budget day last year. In each of these years, the REV did not include a specific allocation in respect of a Social Welfare Christmas bonus, in line with the practice that such payments are funded based on the fiscal position at Budget time. The payment of a Christmas Bonus has required a Supplementary Estimate in each of the last three years. In 2016 the Department of Social Protection required a Supplementary Estimate of €109 million to provide for the Christmas Bonus, with a broadly similar amount being paid from the funds available in the Social Insurance Fund. The extent to which a Supplementary Estimate would be required to fund a decision in relation to a Christmas Bonus would depend on the projected outturn at Budget time in relation to spending in the Department of Social Protection, which in net terms at the end of June was €41 million below profile, and also the surplus on the Social Insurance Fund, which as outlined in the June Analytical Exchequer Statement was €132 million ahead of profile, driven by strong growth in PRSI receipts. The approach to be adopted in relation to meeting the funding requirements of a decision in relation to a Christmas Bonus in 2017 will therefore follow the approach adopted in the last three years.
Turning to the specific issue of refunds of water charges, which will be in effect a one-off charge in the year of payment, it is anticipated that the cost arising this year in relation to the refund of water charges will be met within available Exchequer resources taking into account the revenue, expenditure and overall fiscal policy position later in the year.
239. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2017 of the movement forward of Lansdowne Road payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Labour Court Recommendation on Garda pay issued on 3rd of November 2016 had serious implications for the continued viability of the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
After engagement with the Public Service Committee of ICTU and in acknowledgement of the anomaly that has arisen in the context of the Labour Court Recommendation concerned, the Government in its capacity as the public service employer, agreed to an increase in annualised salaries of €1,000 for the period April to August 2017 inclusive for:
- those on annualised salaries up to €65,000;
- who are parties to the Lansdowne Road Agreement; and
- who do not stand to benefit from the Labour Court recommendations (CD/16/321 & CD/16/322) issued in respect of the Garda Associations.
The additional cost arising in 2017 is €120 million. This cost is to be met from available public resources taking into account the scope for reallocation of expenditure arising from the emerging expenditure position later in the year. This position will be monitored closely in order to assess how to meet any additional funding requirements where the need arises.
240. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when printable maps of the streams and rivers which are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works for drainage purposes will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36025/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW carries out a programme of Arterial Drainage Maintenance to a total of 11,500km of river channel and approximately 730km of embankments nationally. These maintenance works relate to arterial drainage schemes completed by the OPW under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945, whose purpose was primarily to improve the drainage of agricultural lands. The OPW has a duty to maintain the completed schemes in proper repair and in an effective condition. All OPW Channels and Drainage District channels are available to view, and download in GIS format, at http://maps.opw.ie/drainage/map/
241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flood relief works carried out on the River Clare in County Galway as part of the Clare River Claregalway drainage scheme; the works which remain to be carried out; if flood relief works are proposed for Lisheenavallagh in Claregalway; if so, when these works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36026/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFlood relief works are being carried out on the Clare River (Claregalway) Drainage Scheme (FRS) over a 3-year period with substantial completion expected to be achieved by the end of 2018. Works are being progressed currently by the Office of Public Works (OPW) direct labour force which has a lot of experience in undertaking such works in environmentally sensitive areas.
In recognition of the significant flooding problems in the area it was agreed to proceed with interim measures to reduce flood risk and by 2012, the following remedial works were successfully completed in advance of the main scheme works:
- Construction of flood eye at Claregalway Bridge;
- Construction of new bridge at Crusheeney.
Works on the main scheme commenced in June 2016 with the construction of a drainage pipeline in the Lakeview area and with deepening of the channel bed upstream, under and downstream of the Claregalway Bridge and Flood Eye.
Details of further works carried out to date and planned are outlined in the following schedule.
A monthly progress report is available on the OPW website at http://www.opw.ie/en/flood-risk-management/operations/flooddefenceschemes/clareriverclaregalwayfloodreliefscheme/
Clare River (Claregalway) Drainage Scheme
Schedule of Works - July 2017
- Selective channel maintenance along the Clare River from Lough Corrib towards Cregmore Bridge, has been substantially completed. Some localised rock removal to be undertaken at select locations at a later stage as required.
Miontach South:
- all archaeological trenching has been completed along the footprint of the works area and suitable road build up material has been accumulated at Claregalway to facilitate road raising works;
- a contractor has completed works to remove the tree-line along the edge of the Miontach South road;
- work on the proposed road raising in the area commenced in mid-April. Works are currently progressing well, with phase 1 of the proposed road build-up almost complete. Phase 2 operations which includes resurfacing works are due to commence in July/August 2017;
- works on upgrading the existing road culvert and installation of an additional culvert crossing are now in progress;
- The gap in the wall at “An Mhainistir” housing estate has been addressed and a local embankment at nine arches bridge together with infilling in part of the old river channel has been completed;
- Works on re-grading the channel upstream, under and downstream of Claregalway Bridge, together with re-grading the new flood eye were substantially completed in 2016. Some outstanding rock removal from the channel bed downstream, under the footprint of the cofferdam will be removed this Summer in conjunction with agreed Environmental River Enhancement Works and necessary realignment of the southern bank for a short distance immediately downstream of the Flood Eye;
- Works on the Kiniska (Cin Uisce) tributary which includes; channel maintenance, bank protection and bridge upgrading works have now been completed;
- Final reinstatement of agricultural land along the route of the pipeline is substantially complete.
Caherlea/Lisheenavalla:
- works in this area commenced with the replacement of the existing bridge at Crusheeny by OPW as part of the advance works associated with the flood relief scheme in 2012. Further works in this area include:
- Channel widening from 1.3km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to immediately downstream of Crusheeny Bridge to form a two-stage channel commenced in mid-April 2017. Stripping of topsoil within the proposed land-spread area is complete; this will facilitate spreading of material generated from the second stage channel construction along both banks:
- Formation of the second stage channel is well advanced on both sides of the Clare river;
- Cleaning, regrading and up-sizing of the Islandmore Drain, also due for completion this year;
- Construction of an embankment along the southern bank of the Clare River from 1.3 km upstream of Crusheeny Bridge to the Islandmore Drain; to include the installation of a non-return valve on the discharge from the Islandmore drain is in progress;
- All archaeological trenching and testing has been completed within the footprint of the proposed works area;
- Raising the road locally in Caherlea/Lisheenavalla may also be undertaken as a future measure if considered necessary.
Carnmore/Cashla:
- Works on the construction of the Carnmore/Cashla flood alleviation will be carried out in 2018;
- All archaeological trenching and testing has been completed along the proposed pipeline route.
242. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the provision of coastal erosion protection measures at Portrane, County Dublin; the funding he has allocated for this project; the expected commencement date of work on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe management of problems of coastal protection in the area indicated is a matter for Fingal County Council in the first instance. The Council must assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required and the Council can identify viable solutions, it is open to the Council to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works' (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme. Any application received will be assessed under the eligibility criteria, which include a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of funding. Where funding is provided to a local authority under the Minor Works scheme, it is a matter for the local authority to progress and oversee the completion of the works. The OPW is not involved in the implementation of the works.
I have been advised that my Office is not in receipt of any application currently under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for works at Portrane. I understand that the Council is working to identify possible viable solutions art this location.
OPW will liaise with FCC as appropriate in this regard should an application be received.
243. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of each body or organisation that is scheduled to receive in excess of €1 million from his Department's Vote of expenditure or the group of Votes of expenditure connected with his Department in 2017 for the provision of services by the body or the organisation concerned; the amount involved in each case; if there is a signed service level agreement in place in respect of the services to be carried out by these bodies or organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36162/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, the following table provides the details of each body or organisation scheduled to receive in excess of €1 million from the group of votes under my remit in 2017.
|
Body/Organisation |
Details of services being provided |
Amount |
|
Institute of Public Administration |
Public sector development, through education, training, research and publishing |
€2,725,000 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute |
Economic and Social Research |
€2,675,000 |
|
Special EU Programmes Body |
A North South body established under the Good Friday Agreement whose primary function is the management of the EU cross border structural funds programmes, PEACE and INTERREG. |
€2,450,000* |
* 85% of the contribution towards Technical Assistance is reclaimed from the European Commission.
Measures are in place to ensure that there are appropriate Departmental oversight arrangements in respect of IPA and ESRI, underpinned by compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
A draft Service Level Agreement is in place for the current round of programming of the Special EU Programmes Body, which is a North South body established under the Good Friday Agreement. This is a joint document between its Sponsor Departments and is currently awaiting sign-off by Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance.
244. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of actuaries working in the Civil Service under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy’s question, there is one qualified actuary and one actuarial analyst, training to become a qualified actuary, working in my Department.
245. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has introduced, as committed to in the programme for Government, a provision whereby taxi companies that wish to bid for State procurement contracts must ensure that a minimum of 10% of their fleet is wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36500/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority (NTA) figures released in ‘Statistical Bulletin Number: 01/ 2017 April 2017’ show that 6% of the national taxi fleet is now wheelchair accessible, up from 4.2% in 2013.
Based on consultations with the market prior to establishing a framework contract for the provision of taxi services in the Greater Dublin Area in April 2015, the market response was that there are no large unitary fleet operators who can easily be compelled to meet a requirement to ensure that a minimum of 10% of their fleet is wheelchair accessible. The market operates on the basis of loose arrangements between Dispatch Operators and individual vehicle owners. Dispatch Operators have previously made it clear to the OGP that they are not in a position to force individual drivers to purchase accessible vehicles.
The National Transport Authority has put in place measures, including grants towards the purchase of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles funded by the Exchequer, to increase the numbers of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the national taxi fleet.
The OGP continues to monitor the taxi market and will impose market appropriate wheelchair accessibility thresholds when re-tendering for taxi contracts for which it is the Contracting Authority.
246. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the latest profiles in value and outruns forecast in his Department for the end of December 2017 and any variances that may arise based on his Department’s performance against profile in gross voted expenditure at the end of June 2017. [36572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall expenditure on my Department's Vote was under profile by €5 million at the end of June 2017. This variance against profiled expenditure arises primarily due to timing issues in relation to payments on a number of areas such as ICT projects and technical assistance for EU programmes, as well as some savings in relation to salary and other costs.
In terms of the projected outturn for the year, it is difficult to assess the full year expenditure for the Department at this stage as we are only just over half way through the year. My Department keeps expenditure trends under ongoing review and provides details on monthly Exchequer Issues that are reported in the Expenditure Reports published with the monthly Exchequer Statement. As the year progresses, my Department will continue to manage expenditure within the allocation agreed by the Dáil in the 2017 Estimates in order to deliver on my Department’s agreed objectives. As with other Departments, any surplus realised at the end of the financial year will be surrendered to the Exchequer.
247. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the areas from which the proceeds for the planned refund by the end of the year of domestic water charges will come from; the specific Department which he envisages will have underspends by the year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraManaging the delivery of public services within Budgetary allocations set out in the Estimates agreed by the Dáil is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Department. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against the published expenditure profiles and this information is published monthly, as part of the Department of Finance's Fiscal Monitor.
As outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, and as set out in the June Fiscal Monitor, overall voted expenditure of €27.4 billion is €0.3 billion, or 1.2 per cent, below profile at the end of June. Underspends against expenditure profiles can arise for a number of reasons. These reasons can be timing related, can arise from re-estimations of demand for particular programmes or from cost savings in the delivery of programmes.
Given the many moving parts within the overall gross voted expenditure amount of €58 billion, the amount of the projected year-end underspends can only be assessed with certainty at a later stage in the year. This is illustrated by the expenditure outturn for 2016. As outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report 2017, gross voted current expenditure in 2016 ended the year €0.1 billion below the current expenditure allocation based on the Revised Estimates for 2016 agreed by Dáil Éireann. This outturn of €51.8 billion was €0.2 billion below the current expenditure amount for 2016 set out in Expenditure Report 2017 published last October, due to underspends across a range of Departments that emerged towards the end of the year.
Turning to the specific issue of refunds of water charges, which will be in effect a one-off charge in the year of payment, it is anticipated that the cost arising this year in relation to the refund of water charges will be met within available Exchequer resources taking into account the revenue, expenditure and overall fiscal policy position later in the year.
248. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff in his Department who are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to advise the Deputy that there are no staff in the core Department of Public Expenditure and Reform suspended from work on full pay.
My Department also includes the National Shared Services Office and the Office of Government Procurement. There are no staff suspended on full pay from the National Shared Services Office. There is currently one Office of Government Procurement officer on suspension with pay. As this process is ongoing, I am not in a position to provide further information at this point in time.
