Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:187. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for future recruitment of staff who are proficient in Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31170/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (187)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is an independent statutory recruitment body for the civil service. PAS carry out general service competitions for the Civil Service and in many cases establish Irish language streams in those competitions. Depending on the competition, those candidates who have indicated an interest in Irish will either be processed separately through all stages to form an Irish panel or when the final Order of Merit is established.
The PAS have informed me that there is current, limited availability on a number of panels, and that a bi-functional competition for Clerical Officers will be advertised in the next few weeks. PAS also intend to run a bi-functional competition at Executive Officer level later in 2018.
Requirements for further bi-functional competitions will be reviewed in Quarter 4 as part of the Workforce Planning Process for 2019.
State Visits
Ceisteanna (188)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:188. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost to the Office of Public Works for the Pope's visit in August 2018. [31173/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works and the Department of An Taoiseach are in ongoing discussions regarding the visit of Pope Francis. Intensive planning of all the many elements of the Papal visit is continuing and evolving daily. For that reason and with further contracts yet to be agreed it is not possible to estimate accurately the cost involved.
National Monuments
Ceisteanna (189)
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:189. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works plans to make arrangements to open St. Laurence's Gate, Drogheda, to the public for the duration of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann; if the OPW has short to medium-term plans to illuminate this national monument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31202/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The OPW will facilitate public access to St. Laurence's Gate for one day during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Due to the complexity of facilitating safe public access to the site the OPW does not have the resources to keep the site open for the duration of the Fleadh. However, should the Local Authority wish to assume responsibility for facilitating public access for the period in question the OPW is more than willing to enter into dialogue on the issue.
The full extent of the works requirement at St. Laurence's Gate remains to be established and, when known, will have to considered in light of the limited resources available to the OPW. Dialogue and partnership with the Local Authority as the owners of the structure will be essential to the further development of the site. Any decision regarding the illumination of the Gate will be taken in this context.
National Monuments
Ceisteanna (190)
Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:190. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW plans to carry out a clean-up operation to remove overgrown vegetation at the site of Magdalene Tower, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31203/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Magdalene Tower, Drogheda is not a National Monument in the care of the State and, as such, the Office of Public Works has no responsibility for the site.
Ministerial Advisers Data
Ceisteanna (191)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:191. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of part-time and full-time media advisers employed in his Department; the Civil Service grade of each media adviser; and the cost over a full year of employing all such advisers. [31252/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no full or part time media advisers employed in my Department.
One of my Special Advisers, Deborah Sweeney, provides media advice as part of her role and the sanctioned pay for all Government Special Advisers can be found on the website of my Department.
Flood Risk Assessments
Ceisteanna (192)
Joan Burton
Ceist:192. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the programme of studies over the next six months to evaluate the issue of flooding in the Hazelhatch area of Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31257/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Hazelhatch area of Celbridge, County Kildare was assessed as part of the Eastern Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme. The Plans have identified the need for some further study of the area before being able to identify any feasible option to manage the existing flood risk.
Until recently it was understood that the more frequent flooding experienced in the area was due to culvert blockages at Willow Dale and Willow Avenue. Consultants were engaged by the local authority to carry out a Hydraulic Study to model flow and blockage scenarios in the area. This study highlighted the need for a re-assessment of the local hydrology. The study also revealed that an investigation of the operation of the local drainage network would also be necessary.
The Office of Public Works and Kildare County Council are currently scoping a single study to provide more information on the local hydrology and the operation of the local drainage network.
Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory
Ceisteanna (193)
Joan Burton
Ceist:193. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 24 April 2018, if the new set of documents has issued to contractors; if there is a new deadline for receipt of tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31262/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Due to recent changes in international forensic laboratory standards, the merging of the Garda Technical Bureau with Forensic Science Ireland and changes to staff numbers, it was necessary to add further material to the tender documentation. Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) and the OPW design team are currently examining the issues involved which relate primarily to laboratory interior finishes and mechanical and electrical adjustments. Once this examination has been completed, the OPW will review all tender documentation and intends to re-issue a complete set of documents in Q4 2018. As this process is still on-going it is not possible at this stage to give exact timeframes for the procurement process for contractors.
National Development Plan
Ceisteanna (194, 195)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:194. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific projects which will receive the €29 million in extra capital expenditure in 2019 as outlined in Annex 1 of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the amount each project will receive of this €29 million in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31279/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBarry Cowen
Ceist:195. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific projects which will receive the €203 million in capital funding allocated in 2019; the amount each project will receive of the €203 million in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
My own Department, and the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) therein, have not been allocated extra capital in 2019, when the Department’s allocation will be €5 million and the OGP’s will be €1 million. The purpose of the capital investment undertaken by my Department and the OGP is to deliver greater effectiveness and efficiency across the Civil and Public Service through reform initiatives set out in ambitious reform plans, such as Our Public Service 2020 and the Public Service ICT Strategy. This capital expenditure is primarily invested in ICT systems.
The OPW capital allocation for 2019 provides for a baseline allocation of €183 million. This represents a €28 million increase on the OPW capital allocation for 2018 of €155 million as published in the Revised Estimates 2018. The OPW capital allocation comprises of two key programmes namely Flood Risk Management and Estate Management portfolio. The Government is committed to the policy objective of delivering further capital works / flood relief schemes to minimise the impacts of river and coastal flooding on society through the roll-out of the Flood Risk Management Plans. It is a matter for the OPW to prioritise and implement flood risk management programmes as appropriate. I am advised that the OPW will advance a number of projects within the Estate Portfolio Management programme including investment in a number of state owned properties, an acquisition and disposals programme, a retrofit programme and increased infrastructure investment at heritage sites. Again, it is a matter for the OPW to prioritise specific projects and expenditure in this area.
The position in relation to the National Shared Services Office is that the Capital baseline allocation for 2019 is €11 million. The key programme for which this capital allocation will be utilised is the Financial Management Shared Services Project, the single financial management system to serve Government Departments and public service bodies.
Finally, the Public Appointments Service were allocated €3.5 million for the upgrade / replacement of the ICT systems, in particular, the IT online recruitment platform over the period 2019 -2021. This was provided following an independent review of their current system in 2017 and the core recommendation was that the current system should be replaced. It is intended that €1 million of this allocation will be spent on ICT systems development in 2019. The Public Appointments Service has also been allocated €1 million to carry out necessary capital upgrade works to Chapter House in 2019.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (196)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:196. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific reason for the underspend in gross voted expenditure of €7 million as outlined in appendix V of the June 2018 fiscal monitor; the specific projects that have an underspend; the value of the underspend on each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31311/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy correctly notes, there is €7 million underspend in gross voted capital expenditure across the Public Expenditure and Reform Vote Group as outlined in Appendix V of the June 2018 Fiscal Monitor. I wish to provide the Deputy with a detailed breakdown of the underspends and the reasons for same as follows:
The underspend in the Public Expenditure and Reform Vote Group is due, in the main, to the delayed roll-out of the Financial Management Shared Services Project in the National Shared Services Office (Vote 18). Gross capital expenditure for Vote 18 is behind profile in June by €4.9m approximately.
The Public Appointments Service (Vote 17) received a capital allocation of €1.5m for 2018. €750,000 was allocated towards a programme of upgrades to their premises in Chapter House. However, due to timing issues the year to date allocation has not been spent.
€750,000 was allocated for the replacement and upgrade of the Public Appointments Service IT recruitment platform. However, the initial phase encountered unexpected delays in concluding an open procurement process aimed at bringing in external expertise to assist with the project. Due to this phase of the project starting later than anticipated, this has resulted in a shift is associated payment schedules and the timelines for subsequent phases of the project. Vote 17 is behind capital profile by €465,000 approximately at the end of June.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Vote 11) is approximately €500,000 behind capital profile at the end of June. The underspend is due to the timing issues with a number of projects in the Office of the Chief Government Information Officer.
The Office of Public Works (Vote 13) is €1.2m approximately behind capital profile at the end of June. The capital underspend is attributed mainly to timing issues with new works, alterations and additions.
Flood Relief Schemes Status
Ceisteanna (197)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:197. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which have been completed on the Kilkenny river flood relief scheme encompassing towns (details supplied); the flood alleviation works outstanding in the area; when these works will be completed in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31335/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch on 3 May 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans, which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). As it is not possible to progress all 118 proposed new schemes at once, funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was also announced which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the five largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.
Aside from the 5 largest schemes and the 31 small projects, the remaining projects in the initial phase of implementation were selected on the basis of those projects which would provide the greatest benefit in terms of the greatest number of properties protected on a regionally balanced basis. Among such medium-sized projects are the proposed flood relief schemes at Freshford, Graiguenamanagh, Thomastown, Piltown and Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny. The proposed schemes are not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed but the OPW and Kilkenny County Council will work closely to ensure that they will be commenced in the coming years and within the ten-year timeframe for the programme of investment.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Freshford, Co. Kilkenny has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €3.8 million. This proposed scheme involves a combination of flow diversion and improved channel conveyance and will protect 93 properties when completed.
The proposed scheme at Graiguenamanagh has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €9.1 million. The proposed project consists of building hard defences, protecting 64 at risk properties by a series of embankments and walls, set back where possible from the river channel.
The proposed scheme at Thomastown has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €12.7 million. The proposed project would protect 135 properties with embankments and walls, set back where possible from the river channel.
The proposed scheme at Piltown has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €1.6 million. The proposed project would protect 14 at-risk properties by a combination of flood defences (walls, embankments, road raising) and improved channel conveyance by means of bridge and culvert replacement.
The proposed project at Inistioge has been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €1.5 million. The proposed project consists of building defences, whereby 34 at risk properties would be protected by a series of flood embankments and walls, set back where possible from the river channel allowing the floodplain function to remain active.
The proposed flood relief scheme at Ballyhale, with an estimated cost of €430,000 is included in the 31 small projects under €1 million, and is expected to be progressed directly by Kilkenny County Council with full funding from the OPW. The work will involve the construction of an embankment and flow diversion from the Ballyhale watercourse to the Little Arrigle River and will protect 25 properties when completed.
OPW has set up frameworks of consultants, which the local authorities can also use to progress the design of each project and which will help to speed up the process to construction. Once consultants are appointed to progress schemes, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the public takes place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of these schemes.
Potentially viable structural flood relief measures have been investigated for Kilkenny (Breagagh River). A technically viable flood relief scheme has been identified. However, a more detailed assessment of the costs and benefits will be completed to determine if the proposed Scheme is feasible.
It is important to note that the measures set out in the flood risk management plans are not definitive and final, and that as part of the project-level assessment that is required to prepare the measure for planning / Public Exhibition, more detailed assessments are required at a local level and further public and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken. As such, there is further scope for the community's views to influence the measures that are progressed to implementation.
Flood Relief Schemes Status
Ceisteanna (198)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:198. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works which have been completed on the Carlow river flood relief scheme encompassing Carlow, Leighlinbridge and Tullow; the flood alleviation works outstanding in the area; when these works will be completed in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31336/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Carlow Flood Relief Scheme was constructed from 2010 to 2013. The Scheme, which comprises flood defence walls and embankments along the River Barrow and Burren Stream with a pumping station at their confluence, provides protection against a 100-year flood for 185 properties.
Further proposed flood relief works at Carlow, Co. Carlow with an estimated cost of €210,000 are included among the 31 small or minor projects under €1 million identified by the CFRAM Programme, and these works will be progressed directly by Carlow County Council with full funding from the OPW. The works consist of hard defences comprising a series of flood embankments on the Burrin River and on the Knocknagee Stream in the Castle Oaks area and will protect 57 properties when completed
The Tullow Flood alleviation scheme was carried out by Carlow County Council with funding received from the OPW. The works comprised the construction/installation of walls, berms, flood gates along the River Slaney and an upgrade to the drainage system along Thom Traynor Road and the installation of pumps and sumps. Construction was completed in 2011.
Leighlinbridge Flood alleviation works were carried out by Carlow County Council with funding received under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation and Coastal Protection Scheme. The works comprise of defences along the banks of the River Barrow at Carlow Road (Lord Bagenal Hotel) and the Barrow Track (Garrison House), together with ancillary drainage works. Construction was completed in 2013.
Further proposed flood relief works at Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow have been identified by the CFRAM programme to be progressed at an estimated cost of €3.29 million. This proposed scheme will consist of augmenting the existing defences with the construction of embankments, walls set back from the river where possible and the installation of automatic flood gates and will protect 57 properties when completed. The proposed scheme at Leighlinbridge is not in the first tranche of projects to be progressed but the OPW and the local authority will work closely to ensure that it will be commenced in the coming years and within the ten year timeframe for the programme of investment.
When consultants are appointed to progress the scheme, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies as well as the general public takes place at the appropriate stages to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to input into the development of the scheme.
Flood Relief Schemes
Ceisteanna (199)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:199. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when the OPW was undertaking the flood relief works for Fermoy town in doing the ground work in the River Blackwater, it undermined the structure of Fermoy weir; if the OPW takes shared responsibility in the costs associated with the reinstatement of the weir in whole; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the OPW was the original owner and keeper of this weir. [31339/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that the works which the Office of Public Works (OPW) carried out in constructing the Fermoy flood relief scheme did not interfere with the weir in Fermoy in any way and did not undermine the structure of the weir. The OPW does not have any responsibility for the weir or for the costs associated with its repair or reinstatement. The OPW was not the original owner of the weir and the weir is not and has never been in the ownership of the OPW.
The Fermoy North and South flood relief schemes involved very little interference with the Blackwater River as the embankments and walls are largely set back from the river. There were no works required or undertaken on Fermoy weir as part of either the North or South flood relief schemes for the town.
The deterioration of the weir in recent years has had nothing to do with the flood relief schemes. The in-river works as part of the flood relief scheme maintained a clearance between the works area and the weir, thus avoiding scheme works impacting on the weir. I understand that it was previously confirmed that damage to the weir in 2016 at O’Neill Crowley Quay arose from trees being washed downstream.
I understand that the weir was built to service the mill building in the town and therefore it would have been owned and kept by the original mill owner. I understand that it was previously owned by the Town Council of Fermoy, and since the dissolution of the Town Council, it is owned by Cork County Council. The responsibility for the maintenance of the weir in Fermoy therefore lies with its owner, the Local Authority.
The question of costs associated with any repair work to the weir is a matter for Cork County Council as owner. The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Mr Sean Kyne, T.D., during the course of a Topical debate on the issue on Wednesday 4 July (Topical item no. 4), confirmed that his Department and IFI have undertaken to support any bid the Council makes for central funding in relation to the weir in the context of fisheries and habitat issues.
General Data Protection Regulation
Ceisteanna (200, 201, 202)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:200. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the changes he has made to allow access by persons to their own data held by his Department and bodies under its aegis following the introduction of GDPR; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31476/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:201. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the staffing complement and resources of his Department's data protection officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31500/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:202. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the data protection impact assessments his Department has commenced since 15 May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31517/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 202, inclusive, together.
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was enacted on 24 May 2016 and came into direct legal effect in all EU Member States, including Ireland, on 25 May 2018. My Department recognises the need to treat all personal data in an appropriate and lawful manner and is committed to complying with its obligations in this regard. In this context, a suite of GDPR and Data Protection policies have been rolled out in my Department including an overall Data Protection Policy; a Subject Access Request Policy; a Data Breach Policy; a Data Protection Impact Assessment Policy; and a Data Retention Policy.
A Data Protection Officer (DPO) has been appointed as required by the GDPR. The Department’s DPO is currently an Assistant Principal who works in the Department's Corporate Office. The Department is well advanced in the recruitment of an Assistant Principal who will fulfil the DPO role on a full-time basis. More generally, the Deputy may wish to note that over 300 staff in my Department have attended GDPR training over the past 6 months.
Under the GDPR, any individual has the right to request details on personal data my Department may hold about them and this can be done by submitting a Subject Access Request. The details on how a Subject Access Request can be made to my Department can be found on its website. It is the responsibility of each body under the aegis of my Department to ensure they have appropriate policies and procedures in place for dealing with Subject Access Requests and all other GDPR related obligations.
Article 35 of the GDPR makes provision for the undertaking of a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) in certain instances. A DPIA is a privacy-related impact assessment that enhances my Department’s objective to identify and analyse how data privacy might be affected by certain actions or activities. A policy of completing DPIAs where required was put in place in my Department prior to GDPR coming into effect. Five DPIAs have been completed by my Department since 25 May 2018.