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Tuesday, 17 Apr 2018

Written Answers Nos. 281-297

Tax Reliefs Availability

Ceisteanna (281)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce tax relief on membership subscriptions to trade unions as applies to costs for membership or subscriptions to professional bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16817/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A review of the appropriate treatment for tax purposes of trade union subscriptions and professional body fees was carried out by my Department in 2016 and included in the 2016 report on tax expenditures published on budget day 2016. The review may be found at the following link:

(http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2017/Documents/Tax_Expenditures_Report%202016_final.pdf)

The review concluded that:

"...analysis of the scheme using the principles laid down by the Department’s Tax Expenditure Guidelines shows that it fails to reach the evaluation threshold to warrant introduction in this manner.

The reinstatement of this tax relief would have no justifiable policy rationale and does not express a defined policy objective. Given that individuals join trade unions largely for the well-known benefits of membership, and the potential value of the relief to an individual would equate to just over €1 per week, this scheme would have little to no incentive effect on the numbers choosing to join. There is no specific market failure that needs to be addressed by such a scheme, and it would consist largely of deadweight."

Given the conclusions of the review, I have no plans to reintroduce such a relief.

Public Sector Staff Retirements

Ceisteanna (282, 285)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

282. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the public service superannuation (miscellaneous) provisions (amendment) Bill will be published and presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15534/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

285. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the increase in retirement age for public servants from 65 to 70 years of age will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16006/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 285 together.

I refer the Deputies to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 53517/2017 on 14 December 2017.

The legislation is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the Spring/Summer Session 2018.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (283)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

283. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of public and State grant aid to an organisation (details supplied) since 2015; the level of projected State support to the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15742/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department provided grants totalling €1.95 million to Benefacts in the period 2015 to 2017 and concluded a further funding agreement with Benefacts at the end of last year. Under this agreement a grant of €950,000 was provided for in 2018. This grant was included in the 2018 Estimate for my Department, which was discussed at the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach on 22 February and will be voted on by the House in the coming weeks.

I understand that other Departments are assessing the potential to provide funding on a smaller scale in 2018. This would include payments to deliver potential pilot data projects and uptake of ‘Benefacts Analytics’. These grant amounts would be subject to the agreement of a business case and the application of public procurement rules for each public body.

The funding agreement between my Department and Benefacts includes the following specific deliverables:

- The maintenance of the database on non-profits

- The public facing website

- The provision of Open Data files

- A data file to the Central Statistics Office and

- A link to the database for Revenue Analysts.

The grant is also given to develop, pilot and test solutions to improve:

- Transparency of the non-profit sector

- Cross-agency access to data and

- The interaction between government and non-profit organisations.

National Development Plan

Ceisteanna (284)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

284. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the planned investment for Athlone as part of the national development plan, NDP; the timeframe for delivery of this investment; and the expectant job creation and projected population increase as a result of this investment. [15842/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The ten-year National Development Plan (NDP) has been put in place to underpin the implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF) to support the development of all counties and regions, both urban and rural areas.

The NDP sets out an investment programme of €116 billion, aligned to the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) detailed in the NPF which are critical to long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability in the period to 2040.  Investment in urban and rural regeneration and development, drawing on two new Funds with total resources of €3 billion established for this purpose have the potential to have a transformative impact on both urban and rural areas and communities countrywide.

Total funding of €8.8 billion is allocated to the NSO of strengthened rural economies and communities which is a cornerstone of NDP, including in relation to the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and significant investment in regional and local roads.  The NDP also contains, as a priority, increased investment in public transport including train fleets. 

Chapter 5 of the NDP details as a fundamental objective of the Plan the investment planned in enhancing regional growth potential through an integrated programme of measures including, for example, regional sectoral clustering and the promotion of entrepreneurship on a regional basis. 

The Plan also highlights the importance of strengthening Ireland's international connectivity through continued investment in ports and airports, including under the Regional Airports Programme.  It sets out the major programme of investment planned in the heritage area including in national parks and nature reserves.  Continued investment over the ten years of the Plan to ensure the sustainable management of water resources is a further investment priority which is clearly relevant to all regions and counties. 

Finally the Plan sets out the investments planned in the areas of quality childcare, education and health services which are a defining characteristic of attractive, successful and competitive places.

Under the NPF, and as set out in section 6.3 of the NDP, the three Regional Assemblies are now responsible for co-ordinating, promoting and supporting the strategic planning and sustainable development of their regions, consistent with the objectives of the NPF, through the preparation of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSES).  The RSES for the Eastern and Midland Region provides the opportunity for the priorities for Athlone, for example, that are included in the existing County Development Plan, to focus on sustainable growth, quality of life and on achievable employment and population growth within Athlone and the Eastern and Midland Region to be integrated into a regional investment plan which is expected to be a major driver of the implementation of the NPF.

Question No. 285 answered with Question No. 282.

Office of Public Works Projects

Ceisteanna (286)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

286. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when progress is expected on the delivery of a €3 million property and exhibit store for Naas Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16202/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works can confirm that a project to provide a Property Evidence Management Store (PEMS) at Naas GS is at design stage currently.

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (287)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a review of the CFRAM plans affecting an area (details supplied) has been carried out with particular reference to new residential sites the drainage of which may be affected by various developments with potential to negatively impact upon house insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16679/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The core strategy for addressing areas at potentially significant risk from flooding is the Office of Public Works (OPW) Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Programme undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities, has involved the production of predictive flood mapping for each location, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of Flood Risk Management Plans.

The CFRAM Programme focused on 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) including 90 coastal areas, mainly in urban locations nationwide, designated in 2012 as being at potentially significant risk of flooding. The flood risk for each of these areas has been assessed, through detailed engineering techniques to assess their risk and impact from flooding. This risk and the proposed feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, identified to manage that risk are outlined in the Flood Risk Management Plans. These Plans have been submitted by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval and are expected to be launch in May.

The areas referred to by the Deputy was assessed, using detailed engineering analysis and extensive public consultation as part of the Eastern CFRAM Study. This consultation included observations from the relevant local authority. The flood risk for the area is assessed by the CFRAM Programme as being relatively low. The OPW is continuing to monitor the flood risk for this and all areas assessed under the CFRAM Programme. The OPW flood maps cannot be used for commercial purposes, including insurance.

Planning decisions are a matter for the relevant planning authorities and are informed by the 2009 Guidelines on the Planning System and Flood Risk Management, developed by the OPW and Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government.

Office of Public Works Properties

Ceisteanna (288)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

288. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of works at a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16766/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works has acquired a property in Bailieborough to provide a new Garda Station. The OPW, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, is now finalising documentation and plans regarding the proposed works. A Part 9 Planning application will be lodged in the next number of weeks.

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (289, 290)

John Curran

Ceist:

289. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans and timeframe to address remaining pay inequality issues in view of the fact that the report to the Houses of Oireachtas on new entrant salary scales has been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14964/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

290. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the report on costings of pay equality and the timeframe to achieve it as called for in an amendment to section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15127/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.

As part of the negotiations last year leading to the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 all parties acknowledged “issues of concern relating to the increased length of salary scale for post 2011” new entrants and committed to examining these issues within 12 months of the commencement of the agreement.

In general the issues of concern relate to the insertion of two lower salary points at the bottom of the existing salary scales, thereby lowering the point at which recruitment occurs in line with the economic cycle.

We started examining these issues with the Parties as soon as the Agreement was ratified back in October of last year. At that point we agreed with staff representatives that a data gathering and analysis exercise – to determine the individuals and grades effected – was a necessary first step in examining the issue.

Subsequent to that an amendment to Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2011 required me to submit a report on these matters within 3 months.

This I have done and the report was laid before the Oireachtas on Friday 16th March. It shows that there has been strong recruitment since 2011 to the estimated 237 recruitment grades across the public service, with over 60,500 new entrants hired or 19% of the public service. This includes over 16,000 teachers, nearly 5,000 Special Needs Assistants and almost 10,000 nurses. In reality this figure would be even higher as numbers who joined and left the entry grades over the last 7 years - whether through promotion, resignation or retirement - are excluded.

Importantly it also quantifies the cost of a two point adjustment as approximately €200m and the potential benefit to the individual as €3,301 on average. It should be understood that these costs are not included in the €887m ring-fenced for the implementation of the Public Service Stability Agreement and the benefits would be on top of the progressive pay increases negotiated under that Agreement of between 7.4% and 6.2% (or up to 10% for new entrants hired after 2012).

It is intended that the report will provide the evidence base for further engagement over the coming months between the parties to explore how the matter can be addressed.

The Report to the Oireachtas makes clear this Government’s commitment to working with the parties to address these issues, in accordance with the terms of the PSSA and taking account of the significant costs involved. 

A copy of the Report can be found on my Department's website: 

http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Report-to-Oireachtas-on-New-Entrant-Salary-Scale-Issues.pdf

Office of Public Works Properties

Ceisteanna (291)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

291. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the proposed car park at a Garda station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15133/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that the Office of Public Works (OPW) received an enquiry from local Gardaí about developing the parking facilities at the Garda Station in question.

All requests for capital works at Garda Stations must be approved by Garda Estate Management (GEM) of An Garda Síochána and funding confirmed before they can be scheduled by OPW for delivery.

Public Sector Staff Data

Ceisteanna (292)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

292. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Civil Service administrative officers recruited per annum; and the number of such staff in service per annum from January 2010 to December 2017, by Department (details supplied). [15168/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information the Deputy has requested on the recruitment of Administrative Officers in the civil service is set out in the following file.

Administrative Officers recruited by Department 2010 - 2017 (Source - National Shared Service Office, April 2018)

Dept 

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Agriculture, Food & the Marine

1

3

2

1

7

12

10

Attorney General's Office

1

Business, Enterprise & Innovation

1

7

6

8

Central Statistics Office

Children & Youth Affairs

2

1

5

2

7

7

Communications, Climate Action and Environment

5

2

5

8

5

11

Comptroller and Auditor General

Courts Service

Culture, Heritage & Gaeltacht

4

2

Defence

2

3

Director of Public Prosecution

1

Education and Skills

2

5

2

3

6

Employment Affairs and Social Protection

1

2

6

7

5

Finance

11

14

44

2

13

21

30

29

Foreign Affairs And Trade

2

11

2

2

2

2

3

Garda Civilian

GSOC

2

1

Health

3

1

2

2

6

7

16

14

Housing, Planning & Local Government

1

3

2

2

3

4

3

Justice & Equality

1

6

1

2

13

20

National Shared Services Office

1

4

2

Office of Government Procurement

1

1

Office of Public Works

2

Oireachtas

Ombudsman

6

1

2

6

Policing Authority

Public Appointments Service

1

1

Public Expenditure & Reform

8

26

2

20

38

47

45

Revenue

21

17

37

33

38

48

29

State Laboratory

1

1

Taoiseach's

1

1

1

5

6

5

7

Transport, Tourism and Sport

2

3

3

13

8

Presidents Establishment

2

52

36

110

56

110

159

226

220

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Ceisteanna (293)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

293. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of consultants engaged by his Department in those years; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; and the steps which have been taken to reduce the expenditure on consultancy and the reliance on consultants by his Department in these years and for the future. [15203/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy on expenditure on consultancy and related matters is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy shortly.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (294)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

294. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of pieces of legislation both enacted and published by his Department which originated in work carried out by the Law Reform Commission in each of the past ten years in tabular form; the details of each piece of legislation in the corresponding year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15353/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has not enacted or published any pieces of legislation which originated in work carried out by the Law Reform Commission in the last 10 years.

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (295)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

295. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the data sharing and governance Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15651/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Data Sharing and Governance Bill is a priority for the Government in the spring/summer legislation programme. The purpose of the Bill is to promote and encourage data sharing between public bodies by providing a statutory framework for data sharing for legitimate and clearly specified purposes that are compliant with data protection law; and to improve the protection of individual privacy rights by setting new governance standards for data sharing by public bodies.

Work on the drafting of the Bill is nearing completion. The text is currently undergoing quality assurance by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and I expect to be in a position to circulate the draft Bill to Government very shortly. Subject to approval by Government, I hope to publish the Bill in mid-May.

Office of Public Works Projects

Ceisteanna (296)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

296. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW's plans to address coastal erosion in Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington, County Meath; if he will publish details on the impact of erosion of the coastline in east County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15726/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

While the Office of Public Works (OPW) does not have responsibility for coastal erosion policy or strategy, the OPW has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) and the results of this study have been published on the OPW website. The relevant reports and associated predictive erosion hazard mapping (to 2050) may be viewed at https://www.opw.ie/en/flood-risk-management/floodanderosionmapping/icpss/

This Study has surveyed and assessed the coastal erosion risk along the entire national coastline and this information is available to all Local Authorities, including Meath County Council, to enable them to meet their responsibility to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties. These plans and strategies include the identification, prioritisation and, subject to the availability of resources, the implementation of works both of a structural and non-structural nature.

The Local Authorities may carry out coastal erosion works using their own resources. Where coastal erosion could give rise to a coastal flood risk, the OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, under which applications for funding from local authorities are considered for measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. In that context, 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 Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, available on the OPW website at: https://www.opw.ie/en/media/Final%20Guidelines%20&%20Schedules%20A%20&%20B%2030-03-12.pdf

National Lottery Regulator

Ceisteanna (297, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

297. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to ban or regulate third party bookmakers whose business model consists of taking bets on the national lottery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15766/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the sales code of practice on the website of the lottery regulator was written by the regulator or by the lottery operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16140/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

305. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the national lottery's sales code of practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16141/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

306. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of licensed lottery agents for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16142/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

307. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of special draws and additional or top-up prizes and the value of these held by the national lottery under clause 6.9.2 of the contract awarded to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16143/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

308. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the fees paid to a company (details supplied) for its role in the awarding of the national lottery contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16144/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 304 to 308, inclusive, together.

I have been advised by the Office of the National Lottery Regulator as follows:

Pursuant to Clause 8.12 of the Licence to operate the National Lottery, the Operator is required to prepare the sales code of practice, and submit the Code to the Regulator for approval. Schedule 5 of the Licence further provides that the Operator shall review the Code at least once in each Financial Year and may submit amendments to the code to the Regulator for approval. The Regulator may approve a submitted Code and may make modifications to it before approving it.

The sales code of practice, on the National Lottery website, was written by the Operator and approved by the Regulator.

In relation to the monitoring of the implementation of the sales code of practice, pursuant to Clause 8.17 of the Licence, the Operator is required to use its best endeavours to comply with the sales code of practice code and is also responsible for ensuring that every Retailer uses its best endeavours to comply with such provisions of the code of practice as are applicable.

The Regulator is responsible for monitoring the Operator’s compliance with the Licence, including the sales code of practice.

The number of licensed Lottery agents since 2014 are as follows:

Year

Licensed Lottery Agents.

2014

3,739 (Core Network)

2015

4,002 (Core Network)

2016

5,337 (4,008 Core Network and 1,329 Lottery Select)

2017

5,780 (Core Network 3,969 and 1,811 Lottery Select)*

*Of these, c.500 represent post offices that are co-located with a retail outlet

Since transition to the new Licence regime, the National Lottery has supported or conducted a total of 34 special draws and events, which resulted in additional prizes to 837 winners, through a variety of competitions, promotions and top-up prizes. The Regulator has advised that the Operator considers the value of these prizes to be commercially sensitive and has not consented to the release of this confidential information in accordance with Clause 20.6 of the Licence. Accordingly, while the Regulator has this information, I am advised that it cannot be released to the Deputy in accordance with Clause 20.6 of the Licence.

The professional fees paid for financial and commercial advice received by my Department regarding the competition for the current National Lottery licence was €1,189,650. It is worth noting that a fee of €405m was received into the Exchequer for the award of a 20 year licence to the Operator, PLI, in 2014.

In regard to the matter of third party bookmakers taking bets on the outcome of the National Lottery, officials in my Department are engaging with the concerned parties with a view to determining the appropriate policy response.

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