Written Answers Nos. 125-148
125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the public contracts between his Department and companies (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy of the following public contracts between my Department and Ernst & Young (EY), Deloitte, and KPMG during the period 2011 - 2016. I am including in my reply all payments made (excluding VAT) to the companies referred to by the Deputy during that period.
|
Company |
Description of service/contract |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Deloitte |
External review of the Compilation of General Government Debt Statistics |
|
€50,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Services for the development of the Deloitte Ireland EU Presidency App |
|
|
€25,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Services in relation to a forensic acquisition and high level review of computer activity |
|
|
€3,500 |
|
|
|
|
Deloitte LLP |
Advice in relation to litigation |
|
|
|
€79,622 |
|
|
|
Deloitte (Tech Solutions) |
Oracle JDEdwards Support |
|
|
|
|
|
€4,718 |
|
EY |
Tax research paper 'The historical development and international context of the Irish corporate tax system' |
|
|
|
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
Accountancy secondee provided to the Department's Oireachtas Banking Inquiry team to provide advice on matters relating to the Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis |
|
|
|
|
€78,720 |
|
|
KPMG |
Services in connection with the proposed dissolution of the Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) |
|
|
|
|
|
€35,000 |
The Deputy may wish to note that the Department's contract with KPMG is a six month contract with an initial fee of €35k. In the event that this contract is extended by the Department beyond six months, additional hourly rates will apply in accordance with the terms of the contract. No payments have been made to KPMG to date.
I can advise the Deputy that the fee for the accountancy secondee from EY to the Department was paid by the NTMA.
I can inform the Deputy that my Department also engaged individuals from KPMG and Deloitte on a pro bono basis during the above period.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department publishes on a quarterly basis, payments for legal, consultancy and professional fees on its website - http://www.finance.gov.ie/obligations/financials/consultancy/.
126. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the status of an application for approval from the Revenue Commissioners for a legacy pension for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to be transferred in order to allow the setting up of a personal retirement bond. [50476/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that a response to this request issued to the administrator of the pension fund on 23rd November 2017.
From the information received, it appears that the person concerned was employed by two companies within the same Group. However, there was no break in employment within the Group or service for the purposes of the individual’s pension rights. Even though the person was employed by a number of companies in the Group the principal employer for the purpose of the pension scheme remained the same.
The person concerned has since 2016 resumed employment with a company within the Group. However the principal employer for the purpose of this pension plan is the same as the one he was previously a member of. Essentially, this means that the individual has become a member of a pension scheme sponsored by his current employer, having previously been a member of another pension scheme also sponsored by the same employer company.
There is no provision in pension tax legislation to allow what is called a “split transfer” in these circumstances. In other words, it is not permitted for an individual to transfer part of his pension fund to an entirely separate pension arrangement, such as a Personal Retirement Bond.
127. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if there is an obligation on the financial service provider to inform persons it plans to unveil a new product or enhance an existing product, both of which would be very beneficial to the person concerned in circumstances in which a person is making a significant decision on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50478/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have consulted with the Central Bank on this issue and it has confirmed that its Codes of Conduct do not impose a requirement on regulated entities to inform consumers of their plans to unveil new products or enhance an existing product.
Under the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 (the Code), a regulated entity must ensure that in all its dealings with customers and within the context of its authorisation it acts honestly, fairly and professionally in the best interests of its customers and the integrity of the market.
Provision 3.10 of the Code provides that where a regulated entity intends to amend or alter the range of services it provides, it must give notice to affected consumers at least one month in advance of the amendment being introduced. Provision 4.12 of the Code requires regulated entities to draw up its terms of business and provide each consumer with a copy prior to providing the first service to that consumer. In this document, the regulated entity must set out the basis on which it will conduct business with consumers. Provision 6.1 of the Code provides that where a regulated entity makes a material change to its terms of business, it must provide each affected consumer with a revised terms of business as soon as possible.
That said, I can appreciate that a consumer will be aggrieved to find that a new product becomes available after they have taken a less favourable one. However there must be a cut-off point between the availability of products and it is inevitable that some people will fall on what they consider to be the wrong side of that line. The Deputy will be aware of the availability of the Financial Services Ombudsman in the case of unresolved complaints against a regulated financial service provider and the fact that the Ombudsman is independent in the performance of his duties.
128. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if the sale of the entire National Asset Management Agency, NAMA, development at a location (details supplied) is being conducted in an open market basis with competitive tendering; if not, the reason for not conducting the sale on an open market basis; the amount NAMA has invested in the property to date at this location through development funding or other means; the residual value of the site with planning permission; NAMA's disposal strategy; the steps that have been taken in the sales process to date; if a special purchaser has been identified as occurred in respect of other NAMA transactions; the extent of profit or loss the State will make on the project; the decisions of the NAMA board in respect of this asset; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50518/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Finance, I have no role in individual transactions as such commercial decisions are a matter for the NAMA Board.
I am advised by NAMA that the asset in question is under the control of Savills as Receiver who appointed two property agents in 2015, JLL and Lisney, to openly market the property. I am further advised that the property was subsequently launched to the market in April 2016. I am advised that the appointed Receiver and his agents continue to be open to all credible offers which will be given due consideration by him and that, as Receiver, he is legally obliged to make a recommendation to NAMA of any such offers that, in his view, will maximise debt repayment. Finally, I am advised that to date the Board of NAMA has not received nor considered any offers proposed by the Receiver and his agents.
129. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons that avail each year of the tax relief in respect of third level fees. [50647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the Cost of Tax Expenditures table is available on the Revenue Statistics webpage at https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx. This table sets out data on a wide range of reliefs, credits and allowances, including the number of taxpayer units benefiting from relief in respect of qualifying third level education fees, as well as the estimated total cost to the Exchequer, for the years 2004-2015, the latest year for which data are available.
The table, taken from the data in the Cost of Tax Expenditures table, outlines the number of claims and the cost to the Exchequer for this relief annually since 2010:
|
Year |
No. of Claims |
Cost of Claims (€m) |
|
2015 |
23,900 |
12.9 |
|
2014 |
24,000 |
12.7 |
|
2013 |
23,600 |
12.5 |
|
2012 |
25,300 |
13.4 |
|
2011 |
27,600 |
14.5 |
|
2010 |
31,700 |
19.4 |
130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 126 and 127 of 14 November 2017, his views on the reason for the uptake of the knowledge development box; his plans to review the functioning of this scheme in view of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the Knowledge Development Box (the “KDB”) only applies for accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2016. The claimant company has a period of up to 24 months to make a claim for relief under the KDB. Taking an accounting period which commenced on 1 January 2016 and ended on 31 December 2016, the tax return was due for filing on 23 September 2017.
A small number of companies whose accounting periods ended on 31 December 2016 have submitted claims for their 2016 tax returns, which were filed by 23 September 2017. Due to taxpayer confidentiality, Revenue cannot comment on the size or nature of the claimant companies to date.
Given the large amount of documentation that is necessary, and given that an election into the KDB is irrevocable, it is anticipated that more companies will make use of the 24 month time frame available. As such, more claims in respect of the year ended 31 December 2016 are expected to be made by 23 September 2018.
Furthermore, the KDB can only be claimed by companies who are already carrying out qualifying R&D which has led to the creation of qualifying IP (being a patent, copyrighted software, patentable but not patented IP for small companies). It is expected that companies, in the medium and longer term, will restructure their functions in order to locate more of their R&D activities in Ireland to avail of the KDB.
At this stage, for the reasons stated above, it is too early to review the functioning of the scheme. The scheme will be reviewed in accordance with the Department of Finance Tax Expenditure Guidelines
(http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/Documents/Tax_Expenditures_Oct14.pdf).
131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he has given consideration to introducing legislation which would prohibit the use of legacy losses against profits beyond 31 December 2017 in view of the fact that banks have accumulated losses from the financial crisis of some €34 billion. [50668/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCorporation Tax Loss Relief is provided for by Section 396 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997. Loss relief for corporation tax is a long standing feature of the Irish Corporate Tax system. It allows for losses incurred in the course of business to be accounted for when calculating a business’ tax liabilities. This mechanism is a standard feature of Corporation Tax systems in all OECD countries.
There would be a material negative impact on the valuation of the States investments from any change in tax treatment of accumulated losses where the banks are concerned. It is critically important to understand that the State is actually getting value today from these deferred tax assets through our share sales.
In the case of the AIB, the bank’s deferred tax asset of €2.8 billion is in the shareholder’s funds or book value of the bank. Earlier this year we sold 29% of the bank in the recent IPO at a valuation of close to one times the book value yielding proceeds of approximately €3.4 billion.
In fact our remaining 71% investment is currently valued at more than one times the bank’s book value so based on the current tax treatment we should continue to get hundreds of millions in proceeds linked to the deferred tax asset as we sell down our shares.
Despite the scale of losses accumulated the banks are contributing to the Exchequer through the financial institutions levy. To recognise the part that the banks played in the financial crisis, in 2013, the Government decided that the banking sector should make an annual contribution of approximately €150 million to the Exchequer for the period from 2014 to 2016. In Budget 2017, the payment of this levy was extended until 2021. It was anticipated that the bank levy could be expected to raise €750 million over five years.
132. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his views on the fact that certain banks in recent years forced loan guarantors (details supplied) to take out life insurance policies in respect of a mortgage for another family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Bank has informed me that a mortgage lender is not obliged to require a guarantor of a mortgage loan to take out such a policy. However, a mortgage lender is also not prohibited from making an offer of a mortgage loan contingent on the guarantor taking out a life assurance policy.
The following requirements apply in the case of a borrower:
The Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 provides that a regulated entity must not make the sale of a product or service contingent on the consumer purchasing another product or service from the regulated entity. This provision does not prevent a regulated entity from offering additional products or services to consumers who are existing customers which are not available to potential consumers.
The Consumer Credit Act 1995 provides that mortgage lenders shall arrange, through an insurer or insurance intermediary, a life assurance policy providing in the event of the death of the borrower before the mortgage has been repaid, for payment of the amount of the principal estimated by the mortgage lender to be outstanding in the year in which the death occurs on the basis that payments have been made by the borrower in accordance with the mortgage.
The European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016, which transpose the Mortgage Credit Directive, provide that if a mortgage lender requires a consumer to hold a policy of insurance related to the credit agreement, the lender must accept a policy selected by the consumer. This policy may be from an insurance provider different to the preferred supplier of the lender, provided that the policy has a level of guarantee equivalent to the one the lender proposed, and must be no greater than the amount that would be required to guarantee repayment of the outstanding credit or to insure the value of the security.
133. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Airgeadais cén líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair; cé mhéid post atá daingnithe nó aitheanta ag an Roinn (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; cé mhéid duine atá ann ag a bhfuil líofacht i nGaeilge agus atá ag feidhmiú sna poist sin atá daingnithe no aitheanta mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an tráth seo aon phost eile de chuid na Roinne a aithint mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge. [50682/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs é líon iomlán na foirne atá fostaithe ar fhoireann na Roinne ar an 31ú Deireadh Fomhair ná 330. Níl aon phost sa Roinn daingnithe mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leis, agus tá roinnt ball foirne a bhfuil ag an Roinn atá abalta déileáil le comhfhreagras agus ceisteanna i nGaeilge, más gá.
Níl sé mar dhualgas oifigiúil ar aon bhall foirne áirithe de chuid na Roinne seirbhís trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge d'aon duine a lorgaíonn í. Tá panéil deonach d'fhoireaan na Roinne an bhfuil ar a gcumas seirbhís a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge ar fail sa chás go n-iarrtar í Tacaíonn an Roinn le baill foirne gur mian leo a gcuid Gaeilge a fheabhsú trí chusaí GaelChultúir. An Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010 - 2030 Tuarascáil ar Dhul Chun Cinn: 2010 - 2015 An Roinn Airgeadais.
Rinneadh suirbhé Teanga agus Cáilíochtaí le linn 2014 inar léiríodh go bhfuil inniúlacht i nGaeilge ag 7 ball foirne. Is ionann sin agus thart ar 2.12% de líon foirne reatha na Roinne.
The total number of staff employed in my Department at 31st October is 330.
There are no posts in my Department to which Irish is necessary and there are a number of staff who have the competence to deal with correspondence and queries through Irish, as required.
It is not the official duty of any staff member to provide service through Irish to an person who seeks it. There is a voluntary panel of Department staff in place of staff who have the capacity to provide service in Irish where it is sought. The Department supports staff members who wish to improve their Irish through Gaelchultúir courses.
A Language and Qualifications survey was carried out during 2014 which indicated that 7 members of staff have some proficiency in Irish. This represents some 2.2% of the current staff compliment of the Department.
134. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Airgeadais cé mhéid folúntas a líonadh ina Roinn ó thús na bliana seo; cé mhéid de na folúntais sin a bhain le poist a bhí sainaitheanta mar phoist a raibh Gaeilge riachtanach ina leith; cé mhéid folúntas atá le líonadh faoi láthair agus cé mhéid de na folúntais siúd atá sainaitheanta mar fholúntais a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo. [50699/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíl aon phost sa Roinn daingnithe mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leis, agus tá roinnt ball foirne a bhfuil ag an Roinn atá abalta déileáil le comhfhreagras agus ceisteanna i nGaeilge, más gá.
Tá an Roinn tar éis 62 folúmtais a líonadh I 2017.Tá 5 folúmtais fós le líonnadh againn.
There are no posts in my Department to which Irish is necessary and there are a number of staff who have the competence to deal with correspondence and queries through Irish, as required.
The Department filled 62 vacancies in 2017. There are currently 5 vacancies to be filled.
135. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the progress of funding for coastal defence works for Arklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50044/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe identification and assessment of problems of coastal erosion are matters for Local Authorities in the first instance. Local Authorities may carry out works to address such problems using their own resources or, if necessary, may apply for funding under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
I am advised that a revised application was submitted by Wicklow County Council (WCC) in April 2017 for funding under the Minor Works Scheme to undertake a project at North Beach, Arklow.
In August 2017, the OPW replied to WCC on its application and advised the Council that the application could not be approved because the works proposed related to maintenance works on an existing structure which works are not eligible for funding and because the proposal did not meet the cost benefit criteria of the scheme. The Council was also advised that, given the scale and complexity of the problem, it may be more appropriate for them to seek funding for a detailed coastal erosion and flood risk management study to better understand the coastal processes involved in the wider region and to inform any further applications for funding for works.
An application for funding for such study has not been received to date.
The OPW will continue to work constructively with WCC on this matter and to provide advice and assistance to the Council as required in relation to the advancement of the study.
136. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the acquisition and selection of a site for the Garda regional headquarters in Sligo; if a site has been acquired or selected for a new Garda station for Sligo; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that members of an organisation (details supplied) in Sligo are refusing to operate from the station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50102/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) continues to progress the procurement of a suitable site for the new Garda station in Sligo. As negotiations on the acquisition are not yet complete the release of any details concerning the site etc. at this stage could impact negatively on this process.
The OPW is continuing to work with An Garda Síochána (AGS) to establish its requirements for the existing Station, including remediation of certain identified health and safety concerns. New proposals are with AGS for consideration and for further discussion with OPW in relation to delivery.
137. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to provide the necessary funding in order to ensure that Mountjoy Garda station, Dublin 7, is fully wheelchair accessible for persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOPW is delivering a programme of universal access upgrades to certain Garda Stations identified as priority by An Garda Síochána (AGS). OPW has no plans at present to upgrade universal access facilities at Mountjoy Garda station.
138. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the plan to build a new Garda station in County Sligo; if a suitable greenfield site has been identified; the stage at which negotiations are at in relation to the purchase of the site; the expected timeframe for the tender for the works to be advertised; the expected timeframe for building works to commence; the length of time it is expected the works will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the plan to build a new Garda station in Sligo; if a suitable greenfield site has been identified; the stage negotiations are at in relation to the purchase of that site; when the tender for the works will be advertised; when building works will commence; the length of time the works will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50461/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 139 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) continues to progress the procurement of a suitable site for the new Garda station in Sligo. As negotiations on the acquisition are not yet complete the release of any details concerning the site etc. at this stage could impact negatively on this process.
The OPW is continuing to work with An Garda Síochána (AGS) to establish its requirements for the existing Station, including remediation of certain identified health and safety concerns. New proposals are with AGS for consideration and for further discussion with OPW in relation to delivery.
140. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49899/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised relates to pension increase policy as it will apply to public service pensioners who have retired post end-February 2012. Section 6.2 of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020, which was published on 8 June 2017 at the conclusion of the public service pay talks, indicates that, over the duration of that agreement, for those who retired or will retire post end-February 2012, to the extent that they retired on 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.
This means that, over the period of the agreement, 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.
The FEMPI reversal measures, including any pay increases under the agreement and further Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) amelioration, will apply from their operative date only.
141. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacancies in each State board under the aegis of his Department, in tabular form. [49941/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra142. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the names of persons he has appointed to each State board under the aegis of his Department that have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates, in tabular form. [50003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.
The Board of the Public Appointments Service is the only State Board under the aegis of my Department.
The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004, which established the Public Appointments Service (PAS), specifies that the chairperson and ordinary members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in consultation with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Act also specifies that in appointing persons as members of the Board the Minister shall ensure that:
- at least 2 of them have either or both civil service and other public service experience and knowledge which the Minister considers relevant, and
- at least 2 of them have expertise in human resource management, customer service and recruitment outside the public service which the Minister considers relevant.
The information the Deputy is seeking is set out below.
Anne Marie Taylor - Appointed by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform as having expertise in human resource management, customer service and recruitment outside the public service.
Damien McCallion - Nominee of the Minister for Health
David Cagney - Nominee of the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform
Eddie Molloy - Appointed by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform as having expertise in human resource management, customer service and recruitment outside the public service.
Fiona Tierney - Ex officio. CEO of PAS
Paul Lemass - Nominee of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government
There are currently 3 vacancies on the PAS Board including the chair of the Board. Two of the vacancies, including the position of chair, are being filled through the State Board process operated by PAS, while the third vacancy is normally filled following a recommendation from the Minister for Justice and Equality.
143. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has used a private email account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit; and if so, the details of this correspondence. [50064/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not use any such accounts for official business.
144. 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 (details supplied); the public sector employers with which his Department has been in contact on this matter; if in the context of his statement to Dáil Éireann on 20 June 2017 the review has been completed; the expected publishing date of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50096/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn reply to the Deputy's question on this subject on 20 June last, I indicated that the review of issues relating to the compulsory retirement age in the public service which was being undertaken by my Department on foot of the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Fuller Working Lives was nearing completion and that it was expected to be completed by the end of that quarter.
That Review has now been completed. I am currently considering issues arising from the review and I intend to make proposals to Government in the matter shortly. Future policy in this area will be decided by Government.
145. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the bodies under the aegis of his Department in which his Department provides in excess of €1 million funding per annum to these bodies; the public funding received by these bodies; the bodies in which 50% or more of their income comes from public sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50120/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three bodies under the aegis of my Department that receive in excess of €1 million funding from my Department and have 50% or more of their income come from public sources. The funding for each body is summarised in the table below for years 2015, 2016 and 2017.
|
Subheads |
Body under the Aegis |
2015 Outturn €m |
2016 Outturn €m |
2017 Rev Estimates €m |
|
A.3 & A.10 |
Economic and Social Research Institute |
2.8 |
2.7 |
2.9 |
|
B.3 & A.10 |
Institute of Public Administration |
2.9 |
2.9 |
2.8 |
|
A.6 & A.7 |
Special EU Programmes Body |
3.1 |
1.9 |
2.5 |
The expenditure of these bodies are examined by the relevant auditing authorities for each and the Department monitors the expenditure to ensure that these public bodies are spending moneys appropriately in line with the public policy objectives pertaining to each grant. Where grants relate to EU Funded Programmes, expenditure is also subject to the eligibility checks associated with the relevant Programme.
As the Deputy may be aware, these public bodies have other sources of income apart from the funding received from my Department. In line with the business and financial reporting requirements of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, audited annual accounts of the ESRI and the IPA are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, as well as being published on their respective websites. These published accounts incorporate detailed notes pertaining to income.
The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is one of the six cross-border Bodies set up under the British-Irish Agreement and is jointly funded by sponsor departments in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The tabulated figures above relate to payments made to the SEUPB by my Department. The SEUPB publishes its audited accounts annually.
146. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Office of Public Works plans for use of the site of the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14, when the facility is moved to the new national forensic mental health hospital in Portrane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Mental Hospital is in the full ownership of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW). The Health Service Executive (HSE) currently occupy the site and I believe that they will move this facility to Portrane in the future.
Once the HSE vacate the site a decision will be made by the CPW on its future use having regard to the requirements of all other state bodies.
147. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the public contracts between his Department and companies (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50406/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table provides details of the contracts between my Department and the companies in question for the years 2011 to 2016:
|
Year |
Company |
Amount |
Purpose/Brief description of contract |
|
2011 |
Deloitte |
€65,915 |
Expert external support for development of the Public Service Reform Plan 2011 |
|
2012 |
Deloitte |
€75,152 |
Expert external support for the implementation of Public Service Reform initiatives |
|
2012 |
Deloitte |
€67,650 |
Civil Service Payroll Shared Services Project: Baseline and Business Case |
|
2013 |
Deloitte |
€226,553 |
Civil Service Banking and Financial Management Shared Services Project: Baseline and Business Case |
|
2013 |
Ernst & Young |
€84,374 |
Civil Service Learning and Development Project: Provision of Baseline Report on L&D Function of Selected Public Service Bodies and undertaking a Feasibility Study into their provision on a Shared Services Basis |
|
2014 |
Deloitte |
€19,973 |
External Expert support for the National Shared Service Office |
|
2014 |
Deloitte & Touche |
€24,908 |
Procurement Advisory - Development of Process Framework |
|
2015 |
Deloitte |
€44,280 |
External, expert assistance, advice and support with the implementation of specific areas of the public service reform programme |
|
2015 |
Deloitte MCS Limited |
€579,794 |
Drugs Cost Strategy |
|
2015 |
Ernst & Young |
€283,792 |
Consultancy and Procurement Capacity Support |
|
2015 |
KPMG |
€120,352 |
eInvoicing Recommendation Report |
|
2016 |
Deloitte |
€57,177 |
External, expert assistance, advice and support with the implementation of specific areas of the public service reform programme |
|
2016 |
Deloitte MCS Limited |
€371,375 |
Drugs Cost Strategy |
|
2016 |
Ernst & Young |
€22,386 |
Contracted out internal audit service |
|
2016 |
Ernst & Young |
€81,544 |
Consultancy and Procurement Capacity Support |
|
2016 |
KPMG |
€99,876 |
Provision of advisory services to investigate all possible approaches for data centre hosting of Government cloud infrastructure |
|
2016 |
KPMG |
€39,975 |
eInvoicing Recommendation Report |
148. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of rent paid to date for the Department of Health's new headquarters (details supplied). [50637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRental payment on this property commenced on 22nd December 2016.
The rent paid to date by OPW on this lease for the office space to be occupied by the Head Quarters of Department of Health is €4,538,005.99.
