Written Answers Nos. 253-273
253. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason some retired civil servants have not yet received pension increments as per the public sector pay deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13086/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have administrative responsibility for the Civil Service Pension Schemes and exercise a central policy/authorisation role in relation to all other public service pension schemes. Insofar as pension increases are concerned, the main function of my Department is to determine, subject to appropriate Ministerial and Government approval, the pensions increase policy to apply, and to issue Circulars to Departments and public service bodies to authorise and give guidance on the application of the relevant increases. It is then a matter for each pension paying authority to ensure that effect is given to the pension increases authorised in the relevant Circulars, in the present instance, those set out in Circular 02/2018 with respect to pre-existing public service pension scheme members.
The principle of pay parity underlies the pension increases sanctioned in this Circular. This means that pay increases, agreed as part of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA), are to be passed on to qualifying pensions of pre-existing public service pension scheme members, to bring the salary on which their pension is based up to the current salary of those still serving after the pay increases are applied.
Consequently, not all pension recipients will be due increases. If the salary on which the pension is based is lower than that of a serving staff member in the same grade and on the same scale point, then no increase will be due. For example, protections in place (known as ‘grace periods’) for public servants retiring after the application of pay cuts under the FEMPI legislation meant that their pensions were calculated using the higher pay rates that were in effect prior to the application of the pay cuts. If the current salaries of serving staff in the same grade and on the same scale point are not yet greater than those higher pay rates used in the pension calculation, even after the relevant pay increases under the PSSA have been applied to serving staff, no pension increase will be due. The same is true of any pensions that commenced prior to the FEMPI legislation that are linked to pay rates that have not yet been exceeded by the current salary rates of the relevant serving public service cohorts.
254. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the Enniscorthy flood defence scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13254/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe River Slaney (Enniscorthy) Flood Relief Scheme is at an advanced stage of planning and design. It is planned to proceed to formal Exhibition as required under the Arterial Drainage Acts (ADA) in Quarter 2. Following this, if the scheme proposals are generally well received, the design will be finalised and all required documentation will be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, requesting formal confirmation of the scheme under the ADA.
255. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 14 February 2019, the amount of the costs for 2015 and 2018 related to VAT; the amount related to expenses incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13480/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 14 February 2019, I have outlined the relevant information in the following table. In doing so, I would like to highlight to the Deputy that the figures I provided in my original reply were inclusive of VAT.
|
Service |
Total Cost |
Cost Excluding VAT |
VAT |
Expenses |
|
External expertise and support on Public Service Reform |
€36,900.00 |
€30,000.00 |
€6,900.00 |
Nil |
|
ICT Baselining Project |
€148,781.00 |
€120,960.00 |
€27,821.00 |
Nil |
|
Banking Services for central government - review of market |
€44,526.00 |
€36,200.00 |
€8,326.00 |
Nil |
256. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a project (details supplied) is on course to proceed; if it has been delayed; the reason if delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13534/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a flood relief scheme (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 268 together.
The Office of Public Works has submitted the proposal for the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal Confirmation as required under the Arterial Drainage Act. In all such cases, the Minister is required to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and, in this regard, will procure independent specialists to review the Environmental Impact Assessment Report submitted by the OPW as part of the scheme documentation. This approval process can take up to six months and is the final element of the planning process for the Scheme, after which the procurement process will commence to bring the scheme to construction stage.
The scheme is being funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period 2018 – 2027. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi annual capital allocation.
Arising from the Government decision of Tuesday 12th February 2019 in relation to capital reallocations related to the cost overrun on the National Children’s Hospital, the Office of Public Works is reviewing the most appropriate means of achieving the required capital savings of €3 million in the flood risk management area. Expenditure on any particular project or programme in any year is dependent on many variables related to the progress of the project and programme. The OPW can state that all capital projects committed to will be delivered.
257. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the digital signatures working group; if recommendations been made by the working group; if not, when recommendations will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13538/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAlthough my Department is not participating in a digital signatures working group, nor am I aware of the existence of such a group, there has been some work carried out by my Department in this regard last year. In February 2018, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) within my Department surveyed the current digital signatures, public key infrastructure and the European regulatory landscape as set out by EU Regulation 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS). On foot of this survey, a further review of our national legislation was carried out on digital signatures.
The culmination of this work arrived at recommendations relevant to digital signatures and the facilitation of the increase use within Ireland. The recommendations included the establishment of a body responsible for the regulatory oversight of Trust Service Providers (issuers of digital signatures, digital certificates and related digital services) operating in Ireland under the eIDAS regulation, a requirement for the operating of such providers; and the potential merit in a review of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000, regarding its alignment with eIDAS. My Department is working with my colleagues in the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment, with responsibility for digital signatures, to advance the implementation of these recommendations.
258. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the working groups currently established in his Department; the focus of their work; the membership composition of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13571/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the nature of the role of my Department, particularly in relation to the wide programme of management and reform of the Civil and Public Service, it either leads or is represented on a very large number of cross-departmental and other structures. This includes, for example, Working Groups, Interdepartmental Committees, Networks, Advisory Groups / Boards and Programme Boards. As the Deputy’s question specifically references Working Groups, that is the information which is being provided but it is important to note that there are a large number of other structures in place on a broad range of issues.
In this context, information in respect of formal Working Groups led by my Department is set out in the following table:
|
Working Group (Title and Summary of Purpose) |
Membership |
|
Public Bodies Working Group on Open Data The PBWG discusses key Open Data issues and provides expert input to decisions and actions aimed at ensuring a coherent and consistent approach to the publication of Open Data by Public Bodies |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Ordnance Survey Ireland Central Statistics Office Environmental Protection Agency Met Eireann Office of the Revenue Commissioners National Transport Authority Marine Institute House of the Oireachtas Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Fingal County Council Roscommon County Council |
|
Occupational Injuries Working Group Evaluation of the operational effectiveness of the current Occupational Injuries Scheme in the Civil Service |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection National Shared Services Office Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Justice and Equality Office of the Revenue Commissioners Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Office of Public Works |
|
Health and Wellbeing Framework Working Group To develop a comprehensive Civil Service Policy / Guidance document that is aligned with the Healthy Ireland Workplace Framework |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Department of Health Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection |
|
Learning and Development Working Group Develop a unified Learning and Development Strategy based on an assessment of future skill requirements in both specialist and generalist areas and to establish a new shared model to deliver a suite of common learning and development programmes underpinned by evaluation to achieve more consistent and effective learning outcomes. |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
|
HR GDPR Data Protection Working Group To develop a civil service HR records schedule and guidelines for HR for data protection |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Central Statistics Office National Archives Office of the Revenue Commissioners National Shared Services Office Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Public Appointments Service |
|
Quality Customer Service Working Group Oversee the expansion of the Quality Customer Service Network (QCSN) to the wider Public Service, and advise on the QCSN Work Programme |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Office of the Revenue Commissioners Department of Foreign Affairs Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation Department of Justice and Equality Health Service Executive Department of Employment and Social Protection Department of Transport Dublin City Council |
|
Data as an Enabler Working Group Develop and oversee the implementation of the Public Service Data Strategy |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Office of the Revenue Commissioners Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation Central Statistics Office Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Ordnance Survey Ireland |
|
Build to Share Applications Working Group Oversee the implementation of the Build to Share Applications Programme - the delivery of shared ICT applications across the Civil Service |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Department of Children and Youth Affairs Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation Office of the Revenue Commissioners Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection |
|
Gov.ie Programme Working Group Implement the rollout of the consolidation of all Government Department websites into one website - gov.ie |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Office of Public Works All other Government Departments |
|
ICT HR Professionalism Strategy Working Group Oversees the implementation of the ICT HR Professionalisation Strategy for the Civil Service which was developed to address the Increase Capability pillar of the Public Service ICT Strategy |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection Department of Education and Skills Office of the Revenue Commissioners |
|
Indicators Working Group Support an outcomes focussed approach to reform, including by supporting the development of suitable outcome and output indicators for OPS2020 |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Institute of Public Administration Central Statistics Office Department of Education and Skills Department of Justice and Equality Department of Defence Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation Health Service Executive Local Government Management Agency Department of Children and Youth Affairs Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection |
|
Interdepartmental Working Group for Freedom of Information (IDWG) Support the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 in the Civil Service. |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform All Government Departments |
As noted already, my Department is also represented on a large number of cross-departmental and other structures, including Working Groups, that are led by other Departments.
Finally, the Deputy may also wish to note that my Department has a range of internal structures in place to support its day-to-day work, although these are not described as Working Groups. This includes, for example, the Management Board, the Governance Committee, the Workforce Planning Group, the Audit Committee and the Perspectives Group which supports the implementation of the Department’s own HR Strategy. The Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, also has a number of groups of this nature.
259. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the situation by which home caring credits apply to the State pension (contributory) but do not apply to the pensions of public servants who take time out of work for home caring thus resulting in reduced pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13576/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will appreciate that the terms of occupational pension schemes (including public service pension schemes) are separate and distinct from the conditions laid down by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in relation to the State Pension (contributory).
For example, it is a fundamental feature of occupational pension schemes and of the regulatory framework within which they operate that pension entitlements are, in general, earned in respect of periods of paid employment and having regard to the amounts of remuneration earned. The State Pension (contributory), on the other hand, has regard to each person’s social insurance record, which may include periods in insurable employment, voluntary contributions and credited contributions.
However, I would point out that members of most pre-2013 public service pension schemes will have the option to purchase notional pensionable service at full cost to themselves and subject to the normal purchase scheme limits, including compliance with Revenue limits in relation to the obtaining of tax relief on their purchase contributions, and so may compensate in this way for taking time out of work for home caring.
In relation to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, which is the career average defined benefit pension scheme applicable to most new entrant public servants from January 2013, arrangements to facilitate the purchase of Single Scheme benefits additional to the benefits accrued based on pensionable remuneration earned by the Scheme member, are currently being finalised.
260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital projects and amount each cost that were delivered to County Kerry in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13611/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
261. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to formally abolish the Civil Service Accountability Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13623/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no current plans to discontinue the Civil Service Accountability Board. The terms of reference of the Board are published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at https://www.per.gov.ie/en/accountability-board/. Work is underway on a new Civil Service Renewal plan that will include the areas that fall under the terms of reference of the Accountability Board.
262. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of meetings held by the Civil Service Accountability Board per annum from its inception to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13624/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service Accountability Board has met four times to date in Q2 and Q3 2015 and Q2 and Q4 2016. The minutes of the Board’s meetings and the 2016 Annual Report of the Board is available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at https://www.per.gov.ie/en/accountability-board/.
263. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the planned number of meetings per annum of the Public Service Leadership Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13625/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA hallmark of Our Public Service 2020, the new framework for innovation and development in the Public Service which I launched at end 2017, is the strengthened model of governance put in place to oversee implementation of the programme’s actions. This notably involves the establishment of a Public Service Leadership Board (PSLB), made up of representative Secretaries General of Government Departments and CEO/equivalent of public service organisations, in order to provide collective leadership at a strategic high level, champion innovation and to identify and learn from best practice.
The terms of reference adopted by the PSLB at its inaugural meeting in March 2018 provide that it shall meet on a quarterly basis. The PSLB met on four occasions in 2018: on 23 March 2018, 27 June 2018, 11 October 2018 and 11 December 2018. The PSLB’s next meeting is scheduled to take place on 28 March 2019.
264. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if planned flood relief schemes on the lower section of the river Shannon (details supplied) will progress as planned; if they are to be delayed in view of the national children's hospital overspend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13670/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Flood Risk Management Plans published on 3rd May 2018 set out the measures proposed to address flood risk nationally over the 10 year period 2018 - 2027, and include 19 new flood relief schemes to protect towns in the River Shannon River catchment, in addition to the scheme already underway in Athlone.
Twelve of these projects have now been prioritised for implementation, as part of this ten year programme. The Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Local Authorities have been engaging pro-actively since the launch of the Plans to advance the implementation of these schemes. Engagement with the Local Authorities is on-going in relation to Springfield (Clonlara), Ballinasloe, Nenagh, Longford, Rahan, Castleconnell, Mohill, Leitrim, Clonaslee, Carrick-on-Shannon, Killaloe and for Limerick City, King's Island and environs and the procurement of consultants for the detailed design of these projects will commence in the near future.
The proposed works in the Clonlara (Springfield) area were the subject of a Part VIII planning application by Clare County Council in mid 2018, which was subsequently withdrawn in order to more fully assess certain environmental matters. A further application will be made shortly.
Arising from the Government decision of Tuesday 12th February 2019 in relation to capital reallocations related to the cost overrun on the National Children's Hospital, the Office of Public Works is reviewing the most appropriate means of achieving the required capital savings of €3 million in the flood risk management area. Expenditure on any particular project or programme in any year is dependent on many variables related to the progress of the project and programme. The OPW can state that all capital projects committed to will be delivered.
265. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of car parking spaces controlled by the Office of Public Works in Dublin 7 and 8; the Department or other body that leases them; the number of spaces available for free use; the locations of same; the number rented; and the price paid to the State for same. [13726/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table schedules car spaces that are located at State-owned properties in Dublin 7 and 8. The spaces are primarily assigned for State use and, as such, the Commissioners of Public Works are not receiving rent for those spaces. The spaces are managed and controlled by the occupants of the properties.
|
Location |
Property Name |
Occupant |
No of Spaces |
|
DUBLIN 07 |
Bridewell Garda Station/Court House |
Garda Síochána, Courts Service |
14 |
|
DUBLIN 07 |
Cabra Garda Station |
Garda Síochána |
40 |
|
DUBLIN 07 |
Collins Barracks |
National Museum of Ireland, Dept of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Office of Public Works |
300 |
|
DUBLIN 07 |
Four Courts |
Courts Service |
96 |
|
DUBLIN 07 |
Mountjoy Garda Station |
Garda Síochána |
30 |
|
DUBLIN 07 |
Navan Road SWO |
Dept of Employment and Social Protection |
43 |
|
DUBLIN 08 |
Kevin Street Garda Station |
Garda Síochána |
40 |
|
DUBLIN 08 |
Kilmainham Garda Station |
Garda Síochána |
20 |
|
DUBLIN 08 |
Phoenix Park |
Various bodies – not including free public parking available throughout the Park |
119 |
|
DUBLIN 08 |
Royal Hospital Kilmainham |
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
500 |
266. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of complaints submitted to his Department in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of appeals made with respect to the outcome of such complaints; the number referred to the Office of the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13786/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is very conscious of the need to provide the highest level of service to our customers and is committed to ensuring that the 12 principles of Quality Customer Service are embedded in everything we do. The number of complaints received in the years in question is shown in the following table.
|
Year |
Number of Complaints Received |
|
2017 |
3 |
|
2018 |
2 |
|
2019 (to date) |
0 |
The complaints in question have been addressed by the Department’s Quality Service Officer. To the knowledge of my Department, none of the complaints listed in the table have been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman to date.
267. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a response will issue to correspondence previously exchanged (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13808/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the representation referred to by the Deputy my officials have been in contact with the Department of Justice and Equality in order to establish the relevant facts.
The application in question was made under the analogous grades policy for entry to the Civil Service. The policy was introduced in support of Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan which commits to “expanding career and mobility opportunities for staff across geographic, organisational and sectoral boundaries”.
Having reviewed the application it has been established that the person in question was not working for a public service body and was not a public servant before her appointment. The analogous grades policy applies only to existing public servants, therefore the applicant should be treated as a new entrant to the Civil Service and appointed at the minimum of the scale in line with Government policy.
269. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the cell specification tender documents issued to contractors, external architects, engineers and quantity surveyors over the past number of years have not included or outlined in some cases a clear and detailed specification with regard to the cell windows required. [13898/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor many years there was only one supplier of cell windows in Ireland. There are now two OPW approved cell windows suppliers. Both window suppliers have been tested to CWCT TN-76 – EN 14019 or the equivalent to I.I.R.S./Eolas 1987 to a minimum strength of 10 Nm. The approved suppliers have undertaken a rigorous process for approval.
The cell windows are made up of three components, which through their combined interaction, give the window its overall composite strength. One supplier may have a slightly stronger glass block while another has a stronger concrete and laminate protective cover. However, what matters is that their combined composit construction meet the European CWCT TN-76-EN 14019 Standard or the older Irish IIRS/Eolas 1987 Standard.
The Office of Public Works include the contact details of both approved suppliers of cell windows within their tender documentation. The drawings of the cell windows for a specific project are included within the tender drawings set issued to the Main Contractor at the time of tender. The Main Contractor may seek prices from one or both suppliers of the approved cell windows. The OPW has no role to play in this sub-contract process between the Main Contractor and a product supplier.
271. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW provided funding to Kerry County Council to repair a public road after major works on the banks of the River Maine at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14035/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2017 the Office of Public Works (OPW) carried out extensive flood defence refurbishment works in the townlands of Gurrane and Callinafercy, Co. Kerry. Roads adjoining the sites experienced accelerated deterioration as a result importing quantities of subsoil material in rigid trucks.
Following discussion with Kerry County Council engineers, the OPW agreed to pay €12,500 towards for the temporary upkeep of the affected roads during this work. OPW has also agreed to contribute to the costs of permanent restoration works for these roads once the works are completed.
272. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Public Service Pay Commission report on the Defence Forces will be completed. [13896/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Service Pay Commission has adopted a modular approach to its work programme for its present exercise focused on recruitment and retention issues in the public service.
As the Deputy will be aware, the first module was published by the Commission in August 2018 and deals with issues relating to Nursing and Midwifery, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors and Hospital Consultants.
In relation to the Defence Forces, I understand that written submissions have been received from both the Employer and relevant staff associations and more recently, on 5th March last, oral presentations were also made to the Commission by both parties. Following this, the Commission has indicated that it expects to complete its examination of recruitment and retention matters in the Defence Forces by the end of quarter two 2019.
273. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the delay in completing upgrading and improvement works to an area (details supplied); and if the works will be completed without further delay. [14110/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing an incident involving a member of the public in the area identified, temporary measures, including the erection of temporary fencing, were taken to reduce the ongoing risk to members of the public.
Following a review a permanent solution has been identified with works due to commence in the coming weeks.
