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Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 24 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1-89

Departmental Operations

Ceisteanna (17)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

17. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the international, European Union and Northern Ireland division of his Department. [41802/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The International, EU and Northern Ireland Division of my Department works on all international, EU and British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs within the Department, including Brexit.

The Division assists me in my international role including as a member of the European Council, and in my other EU and international engagements. The Division also provides advice and assistance to me regarding Northern Ireland Affairs and British Irish relations.

This includes assistance for my international engagements, including meetings of the European Council and other EU Summits, bilateral engagements with heads of Government of EU Member States and other countries and in respect of international affairs more generally.

The Division also assists the work of Cabinet Committee C, which deals with EU Affairs, Brexit, and International matters and works closely with other relevant departments, notably the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Questions Nos. 18 and 19 resubmitted.

Departmental Operations

Ceisteanna (20)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the economic division of his Department. [41821/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Economic Division in my Department assists me and the Government in developing and implementing policy:

- to deliver sustainable and regionally balanced economic growth and quality jobs, and

- to promote effective planning and delivery of infrastructural developments, including housing.

The Cabinet Committees and associated Senior Officials Groups backed by the Division help to deliver policies in these areas.

Cabinet Committee A deals with issues relating to the Economy, the Labour Market, Competitiveness, Productivity, rural development, the Digital Economy and Pensions.

Cabinet Committee D works to ensure a coordinated approach to the delivery and ongoing development of policy across the areas of infrastructure investment and delivery, housing, and climate action and provides political oversight with respect to Project Ireland 2040.

The Economic Division also:

- Monitors implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs;

- Leads Ireland's participation in the annual European Semester process;

- Prepares the annual National Risk Assessment which provides an opportunity to identify and consider potential economic risks and challenges on a structured basis; the 2018 report was published in July, and the National Risk Assessment for 2019 will commence shortly, and

- Is responsible for liaison with the Central Statistics Office.

The Division is also leading the preparation of Future Jobs in partnership with Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. This is the Government's new economic initiative to ensure we are well placed to meet future challenges facing the Irish economy. Future Jobs will drive our development as a resilient, innovative, and globally connected economy, capable of coping with technological and other transformational changes ahead. It is aimed at enhancing productivity; labour market participation; innovation; skills and talent; and the low carbon economy and will be launched in early 2019.

A unit within the Economic Division works with the Minister of State with responsibility for Data Protection to ensure a ‘whole of Government’ approach to data protection and broader digital issues. In this regard, the unit provides the secretariat to the Inter-Departmental Committee on Data Issues and to the Government Data Forum.

The Division is currently leading, in collaboration with other relevant Departments, development of a new overarching National Digital Strategy to enable Ireland to maximise the societal and economic benefits from digitalisation.

The Division also provides me with briefing and speech material on economic and related policy issues.

Given its role, the Division works closely with colleagues in the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, and in other Departments, which have lead responsibility for specific policy areas.

Questions Nos. 21 to 26, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (27)

Tom Neville

Ceist:

27. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk. [41825/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I meet and speak regularly with my EU counterparts, bilaterally, and at formal and informal meetings of the European Council.

I had a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in Brussels on 4 October. We discussed progress in the Brexit negotiations and other issues on the EU agenda in advance of the October European Council.

President Tusk re-iterated his ongoing solidarity for Ireland in ensuring that a robust and legally watertight version of the backstop is agreed as part of the Withdrawal Agreement with the UK.

I had further engagement with him in the margins of the October European Council, although I did not have a formal meeting with him on that occasion.

Ongoing political engagement with our partners remains crucial, regarding Brexit and other important EU issues. I will continue to engage closely with our EU partners, including the EU institutions, in the period ahead and to use every opportunity to defend Ireland's interests.

Questions Nos. 28 to 34, inclusive, resubmitted.

National Reform Programme

Ceisteanna (35)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

35. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the National Reform Programme 2018 submitted to the European Commission. [41819/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Reform Programme is an important element of the European Semester - the annual post-crisis cycle of enhanced economic and fiscal policy coordination at EU level.

Each Semester is set in train by the publication in November by the Commission of the Annual Growth Survey which identifies economic priorities for Member States for the period ahead. In April, Ireland, along with other Member States, submitted its National Reform Programme to the European Commission, in conjunction with a Stability Programme Update.

The National Reform Programme provides an overview of structural reforms and policy actions underway, including in response to Country Specific Recommendations given to Ireland as part of the preceding year's European Semester. It is coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach with input from relevant Departments and agencies.

Stakeholders were consulted and submissions were received from 11 groups before the Programme was finalised. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs was also invited to share their views on the European Semester.

Ireland’s National Reform Programme for 2018 reported on a wide range of policies in place to respond to the main challenges and imbalances Ireland faces including those identified in the 2018 Country Report published by the European Commission and Ireland’s country specific recommendations for 2017.

The Programme also reported on progress towards Ireland’s Europe 2020 targets in the areas of: Employment; Research and Development; Climate Change and Energy; Education; and Poverty reduction .

Finally, the Programme provided an update on Brexit and reported on the use of structural funds and on stakeholder engagement.

Questions Nos. 36 and 37 resubmitted.

Government Communications

Ceisteanna (38)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

38. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Taoiseach the progress made in establishing a single Government visual identity. [41820/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A unified Government identity has been developed and adopted by Government Departments as part of the reform programme for Government communications, following a number of Government decisions.

A unified identity for Government replaces a fragmented system that saw Government Departments and agencies use, and communicate through, a multiplicity of identities, logos and brands – resulting in confusion and a lack of clarity for citizens. The unified identity makes it easier for citizens to understand and recognise when the Government is communicating with them and when projects and initiatives are funded by the Government.

The experience of Governments internationally, and the research done in other jurisdictions, notably in the Netherlands, confirms the confusion and lack of clarity resulting from this fragmented approach.

The Dutch experience, and that of the UK and others, is that a unified, consistent identifiable identity ensures greater clarity around the role and place of Government in society for citizens and in Government communications.

All Government Departments have been supplied with the logos, templates and guidelines necessary to apply the identity and this application is well underway in all Government Departments. This is evident in the use of the Government of Ireland identity at Government events, media/press conferences and at public events, conferences etc where Government Departments have a presence.

The unified identity has also been applied at Departmental level - from Departmental logos through to a consistent approach to the design of communications campaigns, reports, online activity and identifying all Government communications campaigns as being an initiative of the Government of Ireland.

An example of how this unified identity provides a clear, identifiable presence for the citizen was at the recent National Ploughing Championships, where the Government representation was immediately and clearly identifiable, as a result of each Department using the unified identity in the design of their units.

Questions Nos. 39 to 54, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 55 to 63, inclusive, answered orally.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (64)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

64. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of capital expenditure which will be allocated for infrastructure projects in County Donegal; the timeframe for these allocations; the projects for which funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43654/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at a Departmental level. Decisions on how and where those allocations are invested by Departments are a matter, in the first instance, for my ministerial colleagues.

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

Total funding of €8.8 billion is allocated to the Strategic Outcome of strengthened rural economies and communities which is a cornerstone of the 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 and ongoing investment in the Local Link Programme.

In the context of Brexit, the NDP represents a particular step change for the northern part of the island of Ireland, including Donegal and the North-West. For example, the NDP provides for investment to support the ambition for development of the region such as the N2/A5 road serving Meath, Monaghan and Donegal.

A major capital projects tracker is available on the website of my Department, which sets out details of the key projects being implemented under the Plan, including the location of the projects where possible. Some of the major projects directly related to Donegal include:

- The N56 Mountcharles to Inver Road (€39 million) due for completion in 2019

- N56 Dungloe to Glenties (€100 million) due for completion in 2019

- Investment in Donegal Airport as part of the Regional Airports Programme

- Letterkenny hospital rebuild including Radiology

Under the NPF, 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 strategy for the Northern and Western Region provides the opportunity for the priorities for Donegal, for example the priorities included in the existing County Development Plan, to be integrated into a regional investment plan which is expected to be a major driver of the implementation of the NPF.

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Ceisteanna (65)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

65. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Ennis south flood relief scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43836/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council (CCC) as the Contracting Authority with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). When completed the scheme will provide protection for 74 residential and 10 non-residential properties.

The tender competition initiated last year had to be relaunched due to issues surrounding the costs submitted by the preferred tenderer which could not be resolved.

The tender was subsequently re-advertised, with 10 tenders received by the closing date of September 28th 2018. All of the applicants have passed the quality assessment stage of the process and CCC and its consultants are now engaged in the assessment of the pricing element of the submissions.

It is hoped that CCC will be in a position to award the contract before the end of the year, with construction commencing in spring 2019.

OPW has previously confirmed to CCC that funding would be made available (this position remains unchanged, pending a full budget estimate submission from CCC), and have authorised CCC to progress land purchase arrangements in relation to the scheme.

Bord Gáis Privatisation

Ceisteanna (66)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

66. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific use to which the €400 million proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis have been put; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43832/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the €400m of proceeds from the sale of Bord Gáis Energy that the Government announced, in Budget 2015, would be made available to support the Government's Social Housing Strategy.

As the Deputy will be aware, the intention when Bord Gáis Energy was sold was that €400m from the proceeds would be made available to establish an off-balance sheet financial vehicle to provide financing to Approved Housing Bodies. This funding, together with additional private funding, would then facilitate the provision of additional housing units by the AHB sector, in support of the Government's Social Housing Strategy.

The Government established a Clearing House Group, under the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, to work with the sector with a view to developing a new model that could use the €400m in this way. Unfortunately, however, it proved very challenging to find a model that would be capable of using the funding while remaining off-balance sheet in Eurostat terms.

However, the Clearing House Group considered that there were aspects of some of the proposals considered that appeared to offer potential, in terms of the possible development of a new ‘affordable rental’ initiative. This would seek to provide long-term affordable residential accommodation for low to moderate income key-worker households in urban areas of high demand.

In response to this outcome, it was decided to convert the commitment from a single lump sum payment to fund the initial capital cost of social housing provision, into a commitment to provide €10m per annum, indexed for inflation, over a much longer period – at least 20 years. This ongoing funding could then be used to fund a pilot scheme for the provision of subsidised housing, thus making the housing available on an affordable basis over a 20 year period.

This additional €10 million in annual funding was allocated to the Vote of the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government from 2017 onwards. In addition, this commitment to increased funding for social and affordable housing has been subsumed into a much more significant commitment to increased support for the programmes of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in the area of housing - as reflected both in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 published in February 2018 and also the further €266 million in additional capital funding allocated for this purpose over 2019-2021 in Budget 2019.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Ceisteanna (67, 77)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

67. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital funding being provided for works in Mountmellick on flood relief. [43885/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

77. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding is available for immediate short-term works for river channel clearing in Mountmellick, County Laois. [43884/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 77 together.

In relation to the immediate short-term works for the town of Mountmellick, the Office of Public Works’ representatives on the steering group have advised Laois County Council that there is the option to apply for minor works funding for interim defences.

As I have previously stated, Laois County Council have confirmed that maintenance works commenced on the River Owenass in Mountmellick following the most recent flood event, and a summary of these works are as follows:

- Irishtown Bridge on the N80 has had silt and vegetation removed from the eye of the bridge, improving capacity and conveyance

- At the Convent Bridge on the R422, the third eye has been cleaned and both the upstream and downstream approaches have had vegetation and silt build up removed.

- Works are ongoing on the stretch of river between the above-mentioned bridges clearing vegetation (above current low water level) with tree/limb cutting to commence next week to remove any potential impediments in the channel. Once vegetation is cleared, it is anticipated that bank repairs will be necessary where slippages are evident. Repairs will be undertaken as required.

- Any fallen trees and potential debris blockages have been removed when observed or upon receipt of notification of same.

- Cleaning of a number of feeder drains/streams to the Owenass and Barrow has taken place with further works planned throughout this month.

I recognise the critical importance of drainage maintenance to flood risk management and I have written to the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government on the current funding constraints some Councils have highlighted to meet their statutory maintenance obligations. On an exceptional and once-off basis I have made available €50,000 to Laois County Council towards its overall costs for the drainage maintenance in 2018.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) study carried out by the Office of Public Works resulted in the publication of the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP’s). These FRMP’s identified a viable solution for the flooding problem in the town of Mountmellick, and the cost of implementing this plan is estimated at €4.7 million. As such, the Office of Public Works has allowed for this funding in its capital works budget.

A steering group has been established for the progression of the Mountmellick project, and is made up of representatives from Laois County Council and the Office of Public Works. This steering group has been working together over the last number of months to collect the relevant data in order to compose a detailed brief for the procurement of engineering consultants, and it is hoped that this contract will be advertised by the end of the year. Once the consultants are procured, they will use the data collected throughout the CFRAM study, and the local data collected by the steering group, to assess further the solution identified in the FRMP’s. The cost of implementing flood defences for the town will be reviewed in the light of this further analysis. However, we are confident that the solution will remain cost beneficial.

Foireann Roinne

Ceisteanna (68)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe cén céadatán den státseirbhís atá inniúil chun seirbhísí in a Roinn a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [43830/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Mar fhreagra ar cheist an Teachta Dála, dearbhaím go bhfuil cúigear ball foirne i mo Roinn atá inniúil chun seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge. Is é seo a haon fán gcéad (1%) d’fhoireann na Roinne.

I mo Roinn, ag glacadh le cinéal dá fheidhmeanna agus a chuid oibre, níl léibhéal ard do theagmháil dhíreach le daoine ón bpobal i gcoitinne. In ainneoin seo, leanann mo Roinn ar aghaidh le monatóireachta a dhéanamh ar leibhéal a gcuid éileamh sa Ghaeilge chun a cinntiú go gcomhlíontar é.

Tá socruithe déanta chun cinntiú gur i ranna nach bhfuil baill foirne ar fáil atá liofacht sa Ghaeilge acu, nó áit nach bhfuil an duine mar seo ar fáil, tá baill foireann faoi leith ó ranna eile a sholáthraíonn an tseirbhís trí Gaeilge más gá.

Community Employment Schemes Supervisors

Ceisteanna (69, 89)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

69. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the issue of pension provision for community employee supervisors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43892/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

89. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of community employment supervisors and provision of their payments under a Labour Court recommendation of 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43895/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 89 together.

An issue which has been the subject of discussion by the Community Sector High Level Forum relates to community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors who have been seeking, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding for the provision of a pension scheme.

At the April 2017 meeting of the Forum, my Department outlined its intention to conduct a detailed scoping exercise in order to comprehensively examine and assess the full potential implications of the issues under consideration. In considering the particular matter referred to, regard must be had to the costs and precedent of such an arrangement were one to be created.

A meeting of the Forum took place on Thursday, 23 November 2017 where the findings of the scoping exercise were shared with members of the Forum. A follow up meeting to deal with technical questions arising from the exercise took place on Friday, 15 December 2017.

It continues to be the position that state organisations are not the employer of the particular employees concerned and that it is not for the State to provide funding for such pension scheme provision. The employees in question are, or were, employees of private companies notwithstanding the fact that the companies concerned are, or were, in receipt of State funding.

Question No. 70 answered orally.

Drainage Schemes Status

Ceisteanna (71)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

71. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 3 July 2018, if there have been recent discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to carry out drainage work on the River Erne in counties Cavan and Fermanagh; if a drainage scheme is under consideration due to the serious problems that arise in both counties caused by the River Erne flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43868/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are a number of watercourses including the River Erne that flow between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has a long-standing working relationship with the Department of Infrastructure, Rivers (Dfl Rivers) which is the competent authority for the implementation of the ‘EU Floods Directive’ in Northern Ireland.

In 2009, the OPW and Dfl Rivers agreed to establish a Cross-Border Co-ordination Group to co-ordinate the implementation of the ‘EU Floods Directive’ across the border. This work was supported by a Cross-Border Technical Co-ordination Group. These groups have met on a number of occasions to co-ordinate their respective work to screen and assess the flood risk and to prepare plans to manage flood risk in border areas.

The Erne Catchment was assessed under the OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, in close co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland. The study considered increasing watercourse conveyance of the Erne system to lower water levels as a measure to reduce flood risk. This study revealed that water levels in the majority of the Erne catchment in Ireland, remain unchanged regardless of any works that could be carried out in Northern Ireland.

The OPW does not have Arterial Drainage Schemes on the River Erne system in County Cavan and is not responsible for channel maintenance in the area in accordance with its statutory requirements under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945. However parts of the Erne Catchment are a Drainage District for which the local authority is responsible for ongoing maintenance.

Question No. 72 answered orally.

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (73)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

73. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the management of the River Shannon as part of the managing flood risk in Ireland report; the timelines of the projects announced in the report; the annual funding allocation until 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43919/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 3rd May, 2018, I was delighted to launch 29 Flood Risk Management Plans and €1bn investment in flood risk over the coming decade.

These Plans are the output from the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme - the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State.

The Plans set out the measures proposed to address the flood risk nationally, and include 19 new flood relief schemes to protect towns in the catchment of the Shannon River in particular, in addition to the scheme underway in Athlone due to be completed in 2020.

Eleven of these have been prioritised, as part of this ten year programme. The OPW and the Local Authorities have been engaging pro-actively since the launch of the Plans to advance the implementation of these schemes including Springfield, Ballinasloe, Nenagh, Longford, Rahan, Castleconnell, Mohill, Leitrim, Clonaslee and Killaloe and for a viable scheme for the remainder of Limerick City, King's Island and environs, following the completion advance works at Verdant Place, King's Island.

An annual funding allocation for the national flood risk management policy has been allowed for in the National Development Plan as follows: €70m in 2018; €80m in 2019; €90m in 2020 and €100m in 2021 and each year thereafter.

In January 2016, the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established by Government to support the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme and further enhance the on-going co-operation across all of the State agencies involved with the River Shannon, including ESB, Waterways Ireland, Bord na Móna, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, OPW and the relevant local authorities. The Shannon Group has taken a number of significant decisions since its establishment, including targeted maintenance at a number of locations, trialling the lowering of the levels on Lough Allen, studies to explore managing flood risk at the Callows and a feasible long term maintenance programme for the River Shannon.

Flood Relief Schemes Status

Ceisteanna (74)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

74. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Ballybofey-Stranorlar flood relief scheme will be progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43905/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The flood relief scheme at Ballybofey and Stranorlar was not included in the initial phase of 50 flood relief projects, throughout the country, that was announced on the 3rd May 2018. The proposed scheme is included in the second tranche of these schemes, to be progressed at a later date and within the 10 year investment timeframe announced on 3rd May.

However, in order to alleviate the situation in Ballybofey and Stranorlar, funding to the sum of €157,500 to Donegal County Council, has been approved under the OPW's Minor Flood Relief Works Scheme, for the removal of vegetation and trees on embankments and also the construction of sumps / pumping areas.

The OPW is currently in discussions with Donegal County Council to establish arrangements and structures on how best to progress the flood relief schemes throughout Co. Donegal identified in the North West - Neagh Bann Flood Risk Assessment and Management Plan.

Living Wage Implementation

Ceisteanna (75, 88)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

75. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce a living wage for all civil servants and public sector workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43906/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jonathan O'Brien

Ceist:

88. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of employees working in the public sector with salaries below the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43899/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 88 together.

The actual number of employees working in the public sector with salaries below the living wage would require individual level 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 data is not available to the Department.

However, an analysis of the available pay band data indicates that some 96% of all public service staff are on salary points in excess of €25,000 per annum. The suggested wage at €11.90 per hour based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of €22,975.

More detailed data on Civil Service staff indicates that only some 1% of staff (FTE) in the Civil Service are on salary points less than €22,975.

Any of those currently on an annual salary of less than €22,975 could be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift or atypical working hours or are on salary scales that progress to the suggested living wage through incremental progression.

Pay increases within the public service are set through collective agreement. There are currently no plans to implement a living wage in the public service but pay increases under the Public Services Stability Agreement 2018-2020: 1% October 2018; 1% for those earning under €30,000 January 2019; 1.75% in September 2019 and 2% in October 2020 will further reduce those earning less than the suggested living wage.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (76)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the assessment of the balance between capital and current expenditure as recommended by the spending review 2018 analysis of OPW spending on State rents, July 2018 will be published; when it commenced; the name and position of those undertaking the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43870/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Commissioners of Public Works have accepted the recommendation, in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Report on the Analysis of OPW Spending on State Rents that, further research / analysis is carried out into the balance between capital and current expenditure.

I am informed by my officials that discussions will commence with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to agree the scope of the required analysis, whether the research is best carried out internally or externally and the most appropriate means of funding the required research.  I would anticipate that the necessary research will commence immediately following agreement on these issues.

Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 67.
Questions Nos. 78 and 79 answered orally.

Foireann Roinne

Ceisteanna (80)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

80. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe cad iad na céimeanna atá tógtha aige lena dhéanamh cinnte go bhfuil dóthain daoine ar fáil in a Roinn le seirbhísí a chur ar fáil dóibh siúd ar mian leo a ngnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an státseirbhís; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [43829/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Is é An tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí (SCP), comhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách don Státseirbhís, oifig faoi choimirce mo Roinn. Chuireann an SCP comórtais seirbhisí ginearálta i bhfeidhm agus ina lán cásanna sruthanna Gaeilge a bhunú ins na comórtaisí sin.

Tá eolas maidir le líon na dtascanna ón SCP go Ranna na Státseirbhíse agus na hOifige do dhátheangaigh feidhmiúla i 2017 agus 2018 leagadh amach thíos.

Grád

2017

2018

Iomlán

OC

20

2

22

OF

4

0

4

OR

4

0

4

Árd-OF

1

0

1

PC

2

0

2

Iomlán

31

2

33

D’eagraigh SCP comórtais do dhátheangaigh feidhmiúla ar leibhéal Oifigeach Cléireachais leis an dáta deiridh ar an 11 Méan Fomhair 2018. Chuir 259 daoine isteach ar an gcomórtas i gcomporáid leis na 14,000 hiarrtais don ghnáth chomórtas d’Oifigeach Cléireachais.

Tá SCP chun comórtas eile a n-eagrú ag léibhéal Oifigeach Feidhmiúcháin.

Beidh fhios ag an Teachta Dála gur ábhar é seo a bhainenn le na Ranna agus na hOifigí aonair chun cinntiú go bhfuil a n-acmhainn acu chun freastal ar riachtanas dó siúd ar mian leo a gnóthaí a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an Státseirbhís.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (81)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

81. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to review existing public procurement contracts in view of the liquidation and insolvencies of over 40 construction firms since the beginning of 2018 due to losses incurred from public contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43833/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am not aware of any published evidence that links recent construction company insolvencies and liquidations directly with the public works contracts. Insolvency statistics published for Q1 2018 indicate the construction industry recorded 42 insolvencies (22% of the total number of insolvencies), a 17% increase on Q1 2017. Published analysis points to legacy issues related to the property crash rather than the public works contracts as the cause of these insolvencies.

The total capital expenditure channelled through the public works contracts accounts for approximately 20% of the total value of construction output (industry estimates put this at €19.5 billion for 2018). Whilst it is accepted that a number of the insolvencies that have arisen involve companies who were operating under public works contracts, those same companies would also have been operating under a range of the other forms of construction contract widely used by private sector construction clients.

Analysis undertaken in the UK in the wake of the collapse of Carillion has highlighted the low margins (between 1 – 2%) generally made by main contractors in a sector that is traditionally seen as high risk. Given the cultural similarities between the UK and Irish construction industries there is every reason to believe low margins are also prevalent in the Irish construction sector. This culture must be addressed by the industry if it is to service its client base in a professional manner.

The impact of awarding contracts at low prices was highlighted in the Report on the Review of the Performance of the Public Works Contracts published in 2014. A range of measures was recommended in that report to discourage unsustainably low pricing, amongst other aspects. Most of these measures have been implemented since 2016 and are designed to give contracting authorities much greater detail on the price make-up.

A further measure identified in the Report is the development of a medium term strategy for the procurement of public works projects. Engagement with industry stakeholder bodies has recently commenced on that strategy which will outline the optimum means of procuring the necessary expertise to deliver public works projects in a sustainable, efficient and cost effective manner.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (82, 83, 90)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

82. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018 will be brought to Dáil Éireann; if the qualification for the application of the Bill will be backdated to when the Bill was published rather than the date on which the Bill will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43917/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joan Burton

Ceist:

83. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when legislation to increase the compulsory retirement age for public servants will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43831/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Curran

Ceist:

90. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public sector employees over 65 years of age that have been allowed carry on in their positions of work; if they continue on the rate of pay they were on when reaching 65 years of age; if not, if the rate differs; if so, the criteria used to set the pay rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43879/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 83 and 90 together.

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, which was published on 9 July, provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age to 70, for the majority of public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. These public servants generally have a compulsory retirement age of 65 at present, which is provided for under statute. The Bill passed all stages in the Seanad on 17 July and is provisionally scheduled for Second Stage in the Dáil on the 25th of this month. The Bill is being treated as a priority with the intention of securing enactment as soon as possible in the current term.

Interim arrangements are in place to accommodate public servants who reach the age of 65 before the commencement of the Bill. The interim arrangements, which have to respect the current statutory position of the compulsory retirement age of 65, allow pre 2004 public servants to retire and be rehired for one year only, until they reach the age of 66. Existing retire and rehire arrangements operating in the various sectors are being used to facilitate affected public servants.

On the issue of whether the legislation will be backdated to the date of publication of the Bill, I appreciate that there are individual public servants who have availed of the interim arrangements, whereby they have been facilitated to remain at work between the age of 65 and 66, and who would like to be covered by the new legislation. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be facilitated. The legislation will come into effect from the date of its commencement. Until then, the current statutory position of the compulsory retirement age of 65 must be respected. This requires public servants to retire at the age of 65 and those availing of the interim arrangements have done so and received their pension benefits, subject to pension abatement.

On that basis they are in a different position to those existing public servants who reach the age of 65 after this legislation has commenced. If the interim arrangements had not existed, those availing of the interim arrangements would have had to cease working at age 65.

The general policy across the public service, subject to overall policy considerations including the demand for scarce skills etc., is that where a retired employee is re-hired, they are paid at the minimum point of the relevant scale, rather than at the pay point they had reached when they retired. This practice is continuing in the context of the interim arrangements. In most cases, the combination of the pension in payment and the new salary brings the person back up to the income level they had reached before they retired. However, after the date of commencement of the Bill, the interim arrangements will no longer be required as public servants reaching the age of 65 will be able to remain at work up to the age of 70, if they so wish, on current terms and conditions. Incremental progression will continue up to the date of retirement and additional service will count towards pension accrual subject to the statutory maximum of 40 years.

In terms of the numbers of public servants who have availed of the interim arrangements, I would not have access to numbers for the individual public service sectors. In the Civil Service, for which I have responsibility, I am aware that fewer than 100 people availed of retention in the six months after the arrangements were announced.

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (84)

Joan Burton

Ceist:

84. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans in respect of the establishment of a supplementary pension in relation to public service pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43834/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A supplementary pension scheme has been in place since 1995 for those public servants recruited between 1995 and 2012, whose public service pension is integrated with the Contributory State Pension (CSP).

This integration with the CSP means that the public service pension paid to them is based on the assumption that they will also receive the CSP at the maximum personal rate on retirement, in addition to the occupational pension paid to them.

Where a post-1995 recruited public servant retires before reaching state pension age (currently 66, rising to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028) they are not entitled to the CSP until reaching that qualifying age. In these circumstances, a public servant may qualify, subject to certain eligibility conditions, for a supplementary pension to make up the difference between the amount of the occupational pension to which they are entitled and the amount they would have received if their occupational pension was not integrated.

A public service pensioner may only qualify for a supplementary pension if they are not engaged in paid employment, do not qualify for social insurance benefit or fail to qualify for such benefit at less than the maximum rate, and their failure to qualify is due to causes outside their control.

The Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme), which was introduced on 1 January 2013 under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, applies to all first-time new entrants to the public service from that date and represented a key reform initiative aimed at securing the provision of affordable occupational pensions into the long term future in the public service.

The terms and rules of the Single Scheme – which are fundamentally different to the superannuation arrangements of all public servants recruited before 1 January 2013 – make no provision for the concept or award of supplementary pensions for any new entrants joining any public service group on or after 1 January 2013.

However, unlike the pre-existing public service pension schemes, the minimum pension age for the majority of Single Scheme members is aligned to the Contributory State Pension qualifying age and is currently set at age 66, rising to age 67 in 2021 and age 68 in 2028 while the maximum pension age upon which a Scheme member must retire is 70. I have no plans to review the provisions currently provided for under the Single Scheme.

By way of further information, the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018, which was published on 9 July, provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age to 70, for the majority of public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. The Bill is being treated as a priority with the intention of securing enactment as soon as possible in the current term

Construction Contracts

Ceisteanna (85)

John Curran

Ceist:

85. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce regulations, new practices or legislation to offer enhanced protection to sub-contractors that are engaged on State projects in which the main contractor ceases trading resulting in reduced or no payment to the subcontractor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43880/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Legislation has already been introduced to address poor payment practices in the construction sector. The Construction Contracts Act was first introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn and enacted with Government Support in 2013. Commenced by Statutory Instrument in July 2016, it applies to all construction contracts (as defined in the Act), public or private sector, whether they are written or oral and whether they include payment provisions or not. The Act imposes minimum payment requirements and provides the necessary tools to enforce those payments between the main contractor and their sub-contractors and so on down the supply chain.

The Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) was comprehensively updated to reflect the provisions of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 in June 2016. The CWMF includes a suite of template tender documents and contracts which public bodies must use when procuring contractors on public works projects.

The Act provides important statutory protections for subcontractors in the construction industry and includes:

- a maximum payment interval of 30 days and a requirement to honour payment requests within 30 days for sub-contractors;

- a right to suspension for non-payment;

- a right to refer a payment dispute to adjudication; and

- the prohibition of arrangements that make entitlement to payment conditional on certain events, (e.g. ‘pay when paid’ clauses, which delay payments until the payer has, in turn, been paid), which were prevalent in most forms of sub-contract.

Whilst much of the interest from industry surrounding the Act was centred on the introduction of adjudication, it is the discipline that the legislation imposes on payments that appears to be largely ignored. Arguably these are the most important provisions in the Act but sub-contractors must be proactive in enforcing their entitlements with the contractor for payments that are due.

The Act does not cut across the normal rules for company liquidation/receivership and so where this arises the only route for recovery is through the normal insolvency process. However the magnitude of the exposure that many sub-contractors currently face upon the insolvency of a contractor would not arise if the provision for payments were insisted upon and the remedies available were exercised where payment is not forthcoming.

Responsibility for administration of the Act lies with my colleague the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (86)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

86. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the controls in place to prevent Departments from breaching their expenditure ceilings in a given year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43918/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Managing expenditure within the overall fiscal parameters has been a key factor in ensuring that our fiscal targets have been achieved. A key responsibility of each Minister and Department is delivering public services efficiently and effectively within their budgetary allocations. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed in line with not only Departmental allocations but also within the overall fiscal parameters. Each month, the drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is reported on against published expenditure profiles in the Fiscal Monitor, published by the Department of Finance.

However, given the scale of Government expenditure, €61.8 billion in aggregate for gross voted expenditure in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) 2018, and the cash basis of Government accounting, the need for Supplementary Estimates can arise for a number of reasons, including policy decisions, timing issues, and overspends.

As outlined in Expenditure Report 2019, as a result of policy decisions, including in relation to the provision of a 100 per cent Christmas Bonus to social welfare recipients and additional capital for the Department of Housing, and expenditure pressures in particular in the Health sector, the gross voted expenditure outturn for the year is now estimated at €62.8 billion, an increase of €1 billion relative to the gross voted expenditure amount in REV 2018.

Looking at the overall fiscal parameters, the Summer Economic Statement (SES) 2018, set out a General Government deficit of 0.2 per cent of GDP, or €780 million, for 2018. As outlined in Budget 2019, this General Government deficit target is now projected to be over-achieved, with the forecast General Government deficit for this year being 0.1 per cent of GDP, or €315 million, after taking account of the additional voted expenditure of €1 billion.

Given this overall fiscal context, the Government has agreed an increase in the expenditure ceiling for the year, and Supplementary Estimates will be presented to Dáil Éireann in this regard.

A key element of the increase in gross voted expenditure is an expenditure overrun in Health of €645 million, with an additional €55 million being required for a shortfall in receipts. As I outlined in my statement to the Dáil on Budget day, I continue to look at choices that we have to make in healthcare regarding how we can accompany all time high levels of investment with improved governance, accountability, effectiveness and value for money.

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Ceisteanna (87)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 3 July 2018, if specific funding will be allocated in 2019 to a local authority (details supplied) to carry out essential drainage improvement works due to consistent flooding problems at a location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43869/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The river and areas referred to by the Deputy, are designated Drainage Districts and Cavan County Council is statutorily responsible for their ongoing maintenance. Funding in 2019 for these maintenance works is allocated to the Council by the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government.

Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and County Councils may carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources.

The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. This Scheme’s eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. Any application received is considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. To date, the OPW has approved up to €400,000 to Cavan County Council under this scheme.

Question No. 88 answered with Question No. 75.
Question No. 89 answered with Question No. 69.
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