Clare Daly
Ceist:132. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has a facility to accept online bookings for admission fees to each heritage site under its remit. [20689/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraHeritage Sites
Ceisteanna (132)
Freagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works initiated the provision of online booking facilities at Heritage Visitor sites within its remit in 2016. Currently, the following sites have online facilities:
- Kilmainham Goal
- Dublin Castle
- Clonmacnoise
- Brú na Bóinne (incorporating Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Newgrange and Knowth.)*
- Castletown House
- Farmleigh House
- Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh/Pearse Cottage
Sites currently being developed include:
- Kilkenny Castle
- Cahir Castle
- Emo Court
- Doneraille Court
- Rock of Cashel
Given the nature of heritage sites, which are widely dispersed throughout the country and where there are technical limitations in certain heritage buildings, the selection of sites for treatment under this programme depends on a number of factors including addressing larger and busier sites as priorities. In addition, it should be reflected that not all Heritage sites are paid admission and will not therefore benefit from online ticketing.
* Currently, the Brú site is undergoing refurbishment and as a concession to Visitors has temporarily been declared free admission. Online Booking facilities have therefore been suspended for the duration of the project.
Community Employment Schemes Supervisors
Ceisteanna (133)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:133. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he has taken to solve the issue of community employment supervisor pension and redundancy claims since the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection met a delegation alongside representative unions recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This issue relates to a claim by community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors who have been seeking, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.
The matter was the subject of extensive discussion at the Community Sector High Level Forum which was reconvened to examine certain issues pertaining to the Community Employment sector and in particular to ensure that the matter was fully examined having regard to both costs and precedent. The membership of this Forum includes public service management and union representatives. The implications arising from this claim extend beyond the CE Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors cadre and impact across the entire Community and Voluntary sector.
A detailed scoping exercise was carried out by my Department in 2017 in order to comprehensively examine and assess the full potential implications of the issues under consideration.
The scoping exercise clearly illustrated that this matter presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost exposure for the State of between €188 million per annum and €347m depending on the size of the sector which is difficult to ascertain, were consequential demands to be made to fund employer pension contributions for all similar State funded Community and Voluntary organisations. This excludes any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension for those imminently retiring, as sought, which could, depending on the size of the sector, give rise to a further Exchequer cost exposure of up to €318 million.
The Forum met in the period subsequent to the conduct of the scoping exercise where relevant matters in respect of this issue were discussed in comprehensive detail with the members of the Forum. These discussions provided a clear understanding to each of the parties of their respective positions in relation to this matter and in this context the formal engagement process between the parties was accordingly concluded on this basis.
It continues to be the position that state organisations are not the employer of the particular employees concerned and accordingly it is not for the State to provide funding for occupational pension scheme provision.
Flood Relief Schemes
Ceisteanna (134)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received written agreements between two local authorities over the management and direction of a flood relief scheme (details supplied). [20699/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In December 2017, the Government agreed to the revised boundary proposed by the Cork Implementation Oversight Group (oversight group), following on from the report of the Expert Advisory Group, issued in April 2017. The Expert Advisory Group recommended the extension of Cork City area into the current administrative area of Cork County Council. The Local Government Act 2019 established the Cork Boundary Alteration Implementation Oversight Committee (oversight committee).
Section 19 of the Act requires the oversight committee to make an Implementation Plan setting out the matters to be addressed by the two local authorities in order to achieve the timely, effective and equitable implementation of the boundary alteration to the administrative areas of Cork City and County Councils. Section 20 of the Act allows for the Local Authorities, after consultation with the oversight committee and before the transfer day, jointly making arrangements in relation to the Boundary Alteration.
The Boundary Alteration will impact two proposed flood relief schemes in the Cork area. The OPW met with the respective Local Authorities in Autumn 2018 to discuss the future management of these flood relief schemes (including the Scheme in question).
Further to that, and in accordance with Section 20 of the Local Government Act 2019, Cork County Council and Cork City Council drafted and forwarded to the OPW an agreed protocol for the future management of impacted Flood Relief Schemes (including the Scheme in question) in March, which complies with the overall principles of the Implementation Plan. This was reviewed and supported by the OPW in April, and a further meeting took place between Cork County Council and the OPW in early May to discuss and agree final clarifications.
While now agreed in principle, the OPW understands that the written protocol will be finalised shortly.
Office of Public Works Staff
Ceisteanna (135)
Robert Troy
Ceist:135. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that applicants that are placed on the Office of Public Works midlands recruitment list are not being recruited in order of their placement on the list; the number of candidates recruited to positions to date in 2019; and the original placement of each on the recruitment panel for OPW positions within the midlands region. [20714/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works has one relevant open competition panel for General Operative Band 2 level. The position with regard to applicants who indicated a preference for a midlands area is that one person has been appointed to a midlands position. The order of placement on the panel was followed in making that appointment.
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 128.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (137)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:137. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the cost-benefit analysis for the national broadband plan in February 2019 did not comply with the public spending code; if it is currently compliant with the code; the specific changes made between February 2019 to date that made the analysis compliant with the code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Public Spending Code requires that Sponsoring Agencies (i.e. those bodies that are responsible for delivering projects) prepare an economic appraisal such as a cost benefit analysis (CBA) or a cost effectiveness analysis for projects with an estimated cost in excess of €20 million before the relevant Sanctioning Authority (usually the body providing the funding) makes a decision on whether to approve the project. The Public Spending Code also requires that the economic appraisal is submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for technical review. The purpose of the technical review is to support consistency in the application of the Public Spending Code guidance. My Department does not verify input data or the calculations in the analysis.
The Public Spending Code further requires that the project appraisal is continually updated as the procurement process evolves and as actual tender costs (as opposed to cost estimates) become available. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform may be consulted to technically review the updated economic appraisal, if necessary. Responsibility for complying with all of the requirements of the Public Spending Code is a matter for each Sponsoring Agency and Sanctioning Authority.
In the case of the National Broadband Plan, the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform conducted a number of technical reviews of the cost benefit analysis as the analysis was updated reflecting the changing nature of the project. In February 2019 the cost benefit analysis was updated to incorporate the feedback from the Department. The version received in March 2019 included a number of changes including a lower level of benefits relating to enterprise and employment impacts. The updated CBA also reflected information from the tender process including the rate of take-up and the bid costs. Finally there were reductions in the overall costs in order to correct an earlier error which had overstated costs.
Question No. 138 answered with Question No. 128.
Forensic Science Ireland Laboratory
Ceisteanna (139)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:139. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when construction work on the new forensic science laboratory at Backweston Campus will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20804/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is managing the delivery of the new Forensic Science Laboratory at the Backweston campus.
The Deputy should be aware that enabling works for Forensic Science Ireland that commenced in October 2017 have now been completed.
However, 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. The issues involved, relate primarily to laboratory interior finishes and mechanical and electrical adjustments.
On completion of the tender assessment and following the statutory standstill period it is envisaged that construction could commence in Q3/2019-Q4/2019. When the construction contract for the main building is placed, the estimated construction period is 24 months followed by a validation and test period prior to occupation.
Garda Station Refurbishment
Ceisteanna (140)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:140. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding plans to reopen a Garda station (details supplied) in County Dublin; when works at the station will be completed for handover to the Garda authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20869/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works has undertaken and completed the required external maintenance and enabling works at Rush Garda Station. Pricing documents are currently being prepared for the reopening works and it is expected that the building will be ready for handover to An Garda Síochána in the third quarter of 2019.
Coastal Erosion
Ceisteanna (141)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:141. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if consideration will be given to establishing a high-level interdepartmental task force working with local authorities to drive strategic policy on coastal erosion and flooding with a view to putting a national policy framework in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20934/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is a matter for Local Authorities, in the first instance, to assess and address problems of coastal erosion in their areas. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the OPW, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Discussions are ongoing between a number of Government Departments and agencies in relation to managing those strategic issues associated with coastal erosion.
Third Level Fees
Ceisteanna (142)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:142. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is acceptable that a family that was forced to emigrate to Australia in 2012 due to the recession and has now returned home is liable for international fees in third level institutions here (details supplied); and his plans to ensure that this charge is changed and that persons who have had to emigrate are not affected in such a manner. [20724/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, in order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they must pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees scheme is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in accordance with their own criteria.
The Department responded previously to concerns about the impact of the Free Fees Initiative eligibility criteria on Irish nationals who had, for occupational or economic reasons, to move abroad, requiring them to take their children out of the Irish education system in the process.
To this end, in March 2014 the Department requested the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to advise the higher education sector that full-time undergraduate students who:
- Hold EU/EEA/Swiss nationality but do not meet the residency clause of the Free Fees Initiative; and
- have completed five academic years of study (at either primary or post-primary level) in an EU/EEA/Swiss State; and
- commence their first undergraduate course of study in an approved institution here from the following academic year onwards,
should be charged the EU rate of fee rather than the higher non-EU rate by their higher education institution.
There are no plans presently to further amend the criteria set out above.
School Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (143)
Martin Ferris
Ceist:143. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason Bus Éireann cannot facilitate an earlier morning service to a school (details supplied) in order that the school can attract more students, which would allow retention of adequate teaching numbers. [20898/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.
There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school. Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2019/20 school year.
Bus Éireann is currently considering applications for the 2019/20 school year. The number and size of buses operating for the 2019/20 school year will be determined by the number of children who apply and are deemed eligible for school transport.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis
Broadband Service Provision
Ceisteanna (144)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:144. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 26 March 2019, the status of the matter raised. [20321/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy in the previous PQ is being collated currently from the extensive dataset maintained by my Department to manage the Primary Broadband Programme, so as to be in a manageable and meaningful format. This will be forward to the Deputy shortly.
As per my previous reply, the policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with the technical solutions available in the market and financial constraints. Broadband capacity can vary due to geographical location and local infrastructure, and thus impact on the service that can be provided.
Through the Schools Broadband Access Programme my Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary and post primary schools, and some 98% of schools are included in this scheme. All post-primary schools and some special schools are now included in the 100Mbps programme.