Wednesday, 3 Jun 2020

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (101)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance if he will encourage banks to extend the moratorium on farmers repayments into the autumn in view of the ongoing impact of Covid-19. [9388/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy will be aware, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D. and I, along with the Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D., met with the Chief Executives of the five Irish major retail banks earlier this month. Furthermore, the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Michael Creed TD, has engaged the banks on the specific liquidity and financing needs of farmers, fishers and agrifood businesses.

I would urge anyone who may be worried about the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to repay their loans to make contact with their bank and discuss their options. Each of the banks have a wide range of supports available for customers impacted by COVID-19.

I welcome the ongoing work of the banks in helping business customers including farmers impacted by COVID-19, which included the initial three month payment-breaks that allowed their customers to defer some of their most significant outgoings. In April the members of the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) announced their intention to extend these payment breaks to six months for customers that require it.

The European Central Bank and the European Banking Authority have made a number of announcements recently, which set out regulatory flexibility to ensure that the banking sector can support their customers who experience repayment difficulty due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. In particular, the EBA has clarified that payment moratoria, such as the one adopted by the banking sector in Ireland, should not automatically result in the reclassification of borrowers who avail of the payment break. It is important to note that these payment breaks must be applied for by 30th June 2020 as this is the deadline set out by the European Banking Authority.

The Central Bank is focused on ensuring that extensions to COVID-19 related payment breaks operate in borrowers’ best interests and in line with regulatory requirements. The Central Bank has clearly communicated and agreed with the BPFI that it expects that at the end of the agreed payment break that borrowers who can return to full repayments be given, at the minimum, the option to either repay the loan within the remaining term or extend the term of the loan, without penalties noting that borrower circumstances and the appropriateness of each option may differ. These options may result in an increase in monthly repayments due to the overall increase in the cost of credit and this should be fully explained to the borrower. Borrowers can find more information on payment breaks at the Central Bank’s COVID–19 Hub.

Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 72.

Motor Insurance

Ceisteanna (103)

Sorca Clarke

Ceist:

103. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether, with regard to car insurance industry, it is reasonable for an insurance car provided to demand an additional €1,138 when the insured person is changing address to a new home in rural County Longford. [9544/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

At the outset you should note that neither I, as Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products or have the power to direct insurance companies to provide cover to specific individuals or businesses. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive) which expressly prohibits Member States from doing so. Consequently, I am not in a position to direct insurance companies as to how they price their policies or what terms and conditions they apply in those policies.

On a general level, my understanding is that insurers will use a combination of rating factors in making their individual decisions on whether to offer cover and what terms to apply. For example, in relation to motor insurance, factors may include those such as the age of the driver and the relevant driving experience, as well as the age and type of vehicle, how the vehicle is used, the claims record, the number of drivers, and the location of storage and use. Insurers also price in accordance with their own past claims experience, and do not all use the same combination of rating factors, so as a result prices vary across the market. In addition to the above, I am not in a position to compel insurers to disclose information such as actuarial data covering the geographic basis of claims history and how it affects the pricing of premiums.

In my view, it is important for consumers to shop around on their insurance policies. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), on its website, recommends that consumers get quotes from a number of insurance companies, including their current one. Their website also includes a car insurance shopping around checklist and other tips on cutting car insurance costs which may prove useful to consumers.

I would also note that if a consumer has a complaint with the service of their insurance provider, it is advisable that they make a complaint to the firm's internal complaint resolution process. The Consumer Protection Code requires that if after 40 days the complaint has not been resolved to the customer’s satisfaction, the regulated entity must inform the consumer that they may refer their complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO is a statutory official who acts as an independent arbiter of disputes which consumers may have with their insurance company or other financial service provider. The FSPO can be contacted either by email at info@fspo.ie or by telephone at 01-5677000.

Finally, Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be accessed at: feedback@insuranceireland.eu.

Job Losses

Ceisteanna (104)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

104. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance his plans to encourage a bank (details supplied) to intervene with a consortium, of which it is a part of, to ensure fair treatment of its workers in view of that fact that employment was terminated by the consortium and it is refusing to provide a fair redundancy package for the employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9600/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The Deputy will be aware that as Minister for Finance, I am precluded from intervening in how Bank of Ireland manages its day-to-day business and relationship with any of its customers. Decisions in this regard are solely the responsibility of the board and management of the bank which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. The independence of the banks in which the State has a shareholding is protected by Relationship Frameworks which are legally binding documents that cannot be changed unilaterally. These frameworks which are publicly available, were insisted upon by the European Commission to protect competition in the Irish market.

On the question of agreeing a redundancy package in the case of the staff of Debenham’s business in Ireland, I can confirm that I have no role in this regard. However, it is my expectation that the relevant parties, in their negotiations with staff and its representative bodies, are fully cognisant of all statutory requirements and terms and conditions that have been previously agreed with employees.

Value Added Tax

Ceisteanna (105)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

105. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the status of discussions at EU level on the action plan on the future of VAT; the opportunities which have been taken to continue to recommend that member states should be able to apply a specialised VAT rating to defibrillators and other emergency medical and rescue equipment at European Council level in these discussions; the detail of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9630/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Defibrillators, other than implantable defibrillators, are liable to VAT at the standard rate, which in Ireland is 23%. Parts or accessories are also liable to VAT at the standard rate. There is no provision under existing VAT law that would make it possible to apply a reduced rate or zero rate to the supply of such products. Under the EU VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rate on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. As such a zero rate cannot be applied to defibrillators. Any changes to VAT rates outside of what is currently permitted by the EU VAT Directive must be negotiated at EU technical working groups and ultimately agreed by the EU Council of Finance Ministers.

The EU Commission published a proposal on the reform of VAT rates in January 2018 which would allow Member States more flexibility in how they apply VAT rates. In negotiations leading up to this proposal Ireland specifically recommended to the Commission to include defibrillators and other emergency-medical and rescue equipment. Discussions on the proposal are ongoing, having last been discussed in March 2020.

In advance of any change that might be made at EU level to the VAT rating of defibrillators and other products that pose difficulty for community groups, I am happy to draw your attention to the VAT compensation refund scheme, which compensates charities for the VAT they occur on their inputs, in recognition of the work undertaken by the charities sector. The scheme took effect from 1 January 2018 but is paid one year in arrears. It is now open for charities to make a claim in 2020 for VAT costs arising in 2019. Charities will be entitled to a proportion of VAT based on the level of non-public funding they receive. A capped fund of €5 million will be available to the scheme.

The Government is very committed to supporting community groups and we will continue to press for a reduction in the VAT rate on defibrillators at EU level. In the meantime, Irish VAT law must comply with the current VAT Directive and therefore defibrillators remain liable to VAT at the standard rate, currently 23%.

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (106)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

106. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if consideration has been given to extend the scope of the SSD tax to milk products with added sugar; if information collection processes on products that are liable for the tax have been developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9631/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

When first introduced on 1 May 2018, Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) applied to water and juice based drinks which contained added sugar and a total sugar content of 5 grams or more per 100 millilitres. I brought forward legislation in Finance Act 2018 to extend the SSDT scope to also include certain plant protein drinks and drinks containing milk fats with added sugar. From 1 January 2019, SSDT applies to certain categories of plant protein drinks and drinks containing milk fats that do not have a calcium content level of at least 119 milligrams per 100 millilitres. SSDT applies to both ready to consume and concentrated forms of drinks.

There are two rates of SSDT. The lower rate of €16.26 per hectolitre applies to drinks with a total sugar content of five grams or more, but less than eight grams, per 100 millilitres. A higher rate of €24.39 per hectolitre applies to drinks with a total sugar content of eight grams or more per 100 millilitres. These rates are dependent on the total sugar content of the ready to consume form of the sugar sweetened drink.

SSDT liability arises on first supply, in the State, of ready to consume or concentrated sugar sweetened drinks. Suppliers must register for SSDT with Revenue and make bi-monthly returns and payments via ROS. I am advised by Revenue that suppliers must declare, on the SSDT return, the volume in hectolitres of ready to consume and concentrated sugar sweetened drinks, with a sugar content greater than 5 grams but less than 8 grams per 100 millilitres, supplied in an accounting period. They must also declare the volume of ready to consume and concentrated sugar sweetened drinks, with a sugar content greater than 8 grams per 100 millilitres, supplied. The return must also include volumes of any goods returned during the SSDT accounting period for which a repayment is claimed, again broken down by tax band. No other data on drinks liable to SSDT is collected by Revenue.

Tax Yield

Ceisteanna (107)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

107. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the yield for the SSD tax since its inception; the projected yield for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9632/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that the yield from Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) since its inception in 2018 to April 2020 is shown in the following table. The projected yield for SSDT in 2020 is €32.5 million.

	€m
2018	16.3
2019	33.0
2020 (4 Months)	10.2

Illicit Trade in Tobacco

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 111, inclusive, and 113 to 115, inclusive, together.

I am advised that each year since 2009, Revenue, in conjunction with the HSE’s National Tobacco Control Office, has commissioned Ipsos MRBI to conduct independent market research among smokers about the source of their cigarettes. The purpose of this research is to estimate the volume of non-Irish duty paid cigarettes being consumed in Ireland. Since 2013, this has been complemented by an additional survey on roll your own tobacco. The results of the 2018 survey was published by Revenue in May 2019 and can be viewed on the Revenue website at

https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/research/surveys/tobacco-consumption-survey/index.aspx .

The key findings of the 2018 survey were that:

- 13% of the cigarette packs held by smokers surveyed were classified as illegal.

- a further 9% of the packs are found to be legal Non-Irish Duty Paid.

- 21% of pouches of fine cut tobacco for the rolling of cigarettes (roll-your-own) consumed were illicit.

Of the 13% of cigarette packs found by the survey to be illegal:

- 78% were classified as contraband (i.e., normal commercial brands of cigarettes bought duty paid or duty free outside the country and smuggled here).

- 21% are classified as “illicit whites” (cigarettes manufactured for the sole purpose of being smuggled into and sold illegally in another market).

- 1% are classified as counterfeit packs (cigarettes manufactured without authorisation of the rightful owners, with intent to deceive consumers and to avoid paying duty).

The survey included an estimated potential loss in 2018 to the Exchequer from illegal cigarettes of €211 million in Excise and VAT. However, this was viewed as a notional loss in Exchequer tax revenue as it assumed that the illegal cigarettes consumed would displace the equivalent full tax paid quantity of cigarettes, which is unlikely to be the case.

In relation to prosecutions, I am informed by Revenue that in 2019 33 prosecutions were brought for cigarette or tobacco smuggling and seven convictions secured, one on indictment and six on summary conviction, resulting in fines totalling €15,000 being imposed.

In addition, 62 prosecutions were initiated for other cigarette and tobacco-related offences in 2019. 55 convictions were secured, three on indictment and 52 on summary conviction, resulting in fines totalling €94,000 and two prison sentences – one consisting of 18 months imprisonment and the other consisting of 24 months imprisonment with 14 months suspended.

To date in 2020, 14 prosecutions have been brought for cigarette or tobacco smuggling and four convictions secured, three on indictment and one on summary conviction, resulting in fines totalling €2,500 being imposed.

In addition, 19 prosecutions have been brought to date in 2020 for other cigarette and tobacco-related offences. 15 convictions have been secured to date, one on indictment and 14 on summary conviction, resulting in fines totalling €26,000 and 240 hours community service.

I am advised by Revenue that it uses a range of measures designed to identify and target those involved in the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco products, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and, where possible, prosecuting the persons involved. Revenue’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis.

Revenue and An Garda Síochána work together on an ongoing basis in acting against tobacco crime, and both organisations cooperate closely with their Northern Ireland counterparts, in the framework of the North-South Joint Agency Task Force, to target the organised crime groups that are responsible for a large proportion of this form of criminality. In addition, Revenue works closely with the relevant authorities in other jurisdictions, the European Anti-Fraud office, Europol and other international organisations, including the World Customs Organisation, in the ongoing programmes of action at international level to combat tobacco crime.

Key actions undertaken by Revenue in this area include:

- Using risk analysis and profiling to screen cargo, vehicles, baggage and postal packages.

- Post-importation intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises.

- Investing in new resources, such as a new mobile x-ray scanner which uses imaging technology to analyse vehicles as well as shipping containers. This enables Revenue to identify suspicious consignments quickly and efficiently, with minimum impact on legitimate trade.

- the setting up of the National Profiling Centre, the development of the National Intelligence Management System and the setting up of specific senior management groups at Principal Officer and Assistant Principal levels to give a clearer strategic and operational focus to Revenue’s work in the enforcement area, including tobacco fraud.

Revenue is a fully integrated tax and customs administration and so it is not possible to disaggregate resources deployed exclusively at any given time on tobacco related enforcement work. Revenue currently has approximately 2,000 staff engaged on activities that are dedicated to targeting and confronting non-compliance. These front-line activities include anti-smuggling and anti-evasion, investigation and prosecution, audit, assurance checks, anti-avoidance, returns compliance and debt collection. Resources are allocated to these different aspects of enforcement and compliance work are continuously adjusted in response to changes in the level of risk in different sectors.

The Government has also ensured through the Finance Acts over recent years that Revenue has the necessary statutory powers to tackle the illicit tobacco trade and I am open to considering any proposals for further legislative changes as needed. Legislative reforms made over recent years in this area include:

- The Finance Act 2012 clarified the legal basis for Revenue officers to open and examine the contents of postal and courier packets that are reasonably believed to contain untaxed excise products.

- The Finance Act 2013 introduced new offence and forfeiture measures relating to the illicit production of tobacco and strengthened the offence provisions relating to the sale or delivery of unstamped tobacco products.

- The Finance (No. 2) Act 2013 provided that a person suspected of an offence of dealing in, or with, unstamped tobacco products must provide information to a Revenue Officer or a Garda and may be required to present any tobacco product concerned for examination, and makes provision for search by a Revenue Officer or Garda of any bag or other receptacle that he or she reasonably believes to contain tobacco products that are concerned in the offence.

I am advised by Revenue that if tax on roll-your-own tobacco was increased using an annual tax escalator of 5% it would take approximately seven years for the tax rate on roll-your-own tobacco to reach equivalence with manufactured cigarettes. That is providing that there were no further increases in tax on manufactured cigarettes.

The Ready Reckoner published on the Revenue website at https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf shows on page 24 the potential yield from increased taxes on packets of cigarettes. I am advised by Revenue that if tax on a pack of 20 cigarettes was increased using an annual tax escalator of 5% and the rate of inflation of -0.1% (April 2020), the most popular price category of cigarettes priced at €13.50 would increase by €0.52.

Overall responsibility for the WHO Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products rests with my colleague, the Minister for Health. However, I am in a position to advise the Deputy on the traceability and security feature systems intended to secure the supply chain of tobacco products, which is one of the key elements of the Protocol. The EU Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU), which gives effect to elements of the Protocol provides for the introduction of a mandatory ‘traceability’ system alongside a ‘security feature’ system for tobacco products supplied on EU markets. The traceability and security features systems required by the Directive were implemented by Revenue in 2019 in respect of cigarettes and Roll-Your-Own tobacco. These systems are to be extended to all other tobacco products in May 2024. The ‘traceability’ system requires that all cigarettes and Roll-Your-Own tobacco products manufactured in, or imported into, the EU must be marked with what is referred to as a ‘unique identifier’. The unique identifier is scanned at each stage in the legitimate tobacco supply chain by the importer, wholesaler or distributor concerned using specialised equipment. The Deputy will appreciate that tracking the distribution of legitimate, tax paid tobacco products through the domestic supply chain will not assist in tackling our illicit tobacco problem. Tax paid tobacco is not the problem and there is no incentive to divert Irish tax paid tobacco onto other markets or to misreport its distribution for the purpose of such diversion.

The EU Commission has noted that the data collated from the traceability system will give an EU-wide picture of the quantity of tobacco products supplied to each member state market, up to the last point before retail sale. All cigarettes and Roll-Your-Own tobacco products are also, under the Directive, required to carry a security feature which verifies the authenticity of the product concerned. The tobacco tax stamp is used as the security feature in Ireland and several other EU states. Revenue has also granted approval for an alternative security feature to be applied to Irish duty-free tobacco products.

Customs and Excise

Ceisteanna (112)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

112. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance the fiscal monitor for excise duty receipts for May 2020 or the most recent date for 2020, by category in tabular form; the increase or decrease of each category from the same period in 2018 and 2019, inclusive in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9638/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I am advised by Revenue that the most recent month for which data are available is April 2020. The net Excise duty receipts for April for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 together with the relevant increase or decrease are shown in the following table.

	April 2018	April 2019	April 2020	April 2020 compared to April 2019	April 2020 compared to April 2018
	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
Alcohols	110.8	93.2	103.4	10.2	-7.4
Tobacco	4.7	94.6	68.5	-26.0	63.9
Oils	175.1	181.2	161.0	-20.2	-14.1
Carbon Tax	44.9	36.8	45.9	9.1	1.0
VRT	74.8	80.9	24.5	-56.4	-50.3
Betting	11.7	20.5	15.1	-5.4	3.4
Licences	1.1	0.4	0.1	-0.4	-1.0
Sugar Tax	0.0	2.7	4.1	1.3	4.1
Total	423.1	510.4	422.5	-87.9	-0.6

Questions Nos. 113 to 115, inclusive, answered with Question No. 108.

Question No. 116 answered with Question No. 71.

Departmental Advertising

Ceisteanna (117)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

117. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Finance the amount that has been spent on advertising in 2020 by his Department and its agencies on social media platforms (details supplied) in tabular form; and the name of each campaign advertised. [9838/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I can advise that my Department has had no expenditure to date in 2020 on advertising on the social media platforms referred to by the Deputy.

There are 17 bodies under the aegis of my Department. Of these, 14 have had no expenditure on advertising on these social media platforms to date in 2020; these bodies are the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, Credit Review Office, Credit Union Advisory Committee, Credit Union Restructuring Board, Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, Home Building Finance Ireland, Investor Compensation Company DAC, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal, Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, National Asset Management Agency, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Tax Appeals Commission.

Of the remaining 3 bodies, details of their advertising spend on social media platforms in 2020 can be found in the following table:

Body	Date of Campaign	Name of Campaign advertised	Social Media Platform	Amount Spent
Central Bank of Ireland	14/1/20 – 29/1/20	What is the Central Bank’s role in Europe?	Google Ads – True View Video Ads	€1,010 ex VAT
Central Bank of Ireland	22/1/20 – 26/1/20	What is the Central Bank’s role in Europe?	LinkedIn Sponsored Content	€1,200 ex VAT
Central Bank of Ireland	16/2/20 – 21/2/20	How does the Central Bank protect consumers?	Google Ads – True View Video Ads	€981 ex VAT
Central Bank of Ireland	17/2/20 - 23/2/20	How does the Central Bank protect consumers?	LinkedIn Sponsored Content	€1,162 ex VAT
Central Bank of Ireland	3/3/20 - 6/3/20	Recruitment campaign-Policy Manager	LinkedIn Sponsored Content	€200 ex VAT
Central Bank of Ireland	9/4/20 -13/4/20	Recruitment campaign- Head of Division in Investment Banking and Broker Dealer Supervision Division	LinkedIn Sponsored Content	€500 ex VAT
Central Bank of Ireland	18/5/20 -1/6/20	Recruitment campaign- Chief People Officer	LinkedIn Sponsored Content	€800 ex VAT
National Treasury Management Agency*	03/04/2020-02/04/2021	Advertising Services in connection with recruitment	LinkedIn	€ 30,750 (incl. taxes)
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	29/01/20	Brexit Loan Scheme (video)	Twitter	€111 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	28/02/20	Case study on SBCI Liquidity Partner	Twitter	€62 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	30/03/20 – 13/04/20	Covid-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme (Animated Explainer Videos)	YouTube	€39,940 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	30/03/20 – 13/04/20	Covid-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme	Google	€11,688 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	03/04/2020	Covid-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme (Animated Explainer Video)	LinkedIn	€37 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	08/04/2020	Covid-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme (Animated Explainer Videos)	LinkedIn	€136 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	08/04/2020	Covid-19 Working Capital Loan Scheme and Credit Guarantee Scheme (Animated Explainer Videos)	Twitter	€124 incl. VAT
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland	14/04/2020	Credit Guarantee Scheme (Animated Explainer Video)	LinkedIn	€131 incl. VAT

* As part of a shared services agreement, this includes the National Asset Management Agency, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and Home Building Finance Ireland.

Garda Stations

Ceisteanna (118)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of and the expected completion date for construction works at the new Garda station in Bailieborough, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8335/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Kevin Boxer Moran)

The pre-qualification procedures for the Main Contractor and Reserved Specialists is ongoing during the current Covid-19 restrictions. We expect this to be completed early in Quarter 3, 2020. It is also hoped that tender documentation will issue later in Quarter 3 2020, with a Contract expected to be in place before the end of 2020. Construction work will take approx. 18 months to complete.

Garda Stations

Ceisteanna (119)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

119. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of Emyvale Garda station, County Monaghan, following a fire in 2019 which caused extensive damage at the station; if funding will be ring-fenced for the refurbishment of same; if so, the status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8349/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Kevin Boxer Moran)

Emyvale Garda Station was badly damaged by an arson attack in October 2019 and the existing station was demolished.

The Office of Public Works, working with Án Garda Siochána, identified that the former Married Quarters in Emyvale can meet the operational accommodation requirements as an interim measure. The planning process to facilitate this was commenced earlier this year.

The funding for these and any futures works in Emyvale is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality and Án Garda Siochána.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (120)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

120. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if measures have been considered to allow employees to defer taking annual leave entitlements to later dates and or into 2021 if necessary when Covid-19 domestic and international travel restrictions are lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8540/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued guidance to civil and public service employers regarding annual leave during COVID-19.

Although social distancing and COVID-19 is expected to continue for a number of months, managers should realise the importance of making sure that employees are still using their annual leave entitlement. Taking a break from work from a health and well-being perspective is a chance to recover from the demands of work. The benefits of taking annual leave are not limited to going on holiday; it can also be the taking time away from work to spend on personal interests. Even without COVID-19, time away from work is directly correlated with reducing stress. Regular breaks from work have been shown to reduce ill health and overall absenteeism. Managers should ensure that their team members are availing of annual leave in a way that supports well-being, and also ensures that their team is supported to take their statutory minimum entitlement.

Employers should facilitate requests for annual leave where possible so that once the crisis passes, organisations can meet increased demand without having to cater to a large volume of annual leave requests. Section 20 (1) of the Organisation of Working Time Act provides that the times at which annual leave is granted are determined by the employer. In that regard, the employer should have regard to the opportunities for rest and recreation available to the employee but also the need for the employee to reconcile work and any family responsibilities.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the various challenges facing Departments and Offices, a special once off arrangement was put in place on 13 March 2020 to allow civil service employees additional time to avail of their annual leave during the 2020/21 annual leave year which runs from April 2020 until March 2021. In addition, an IT system change in recent days has retrospectively reverted some employees to their previous cycle year, to ensure that they have the benefit of extra time to use their annual leave entitlement.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently advises against all non-essential travel overseas. The Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business notes that people are currently to remain within 5km of home, expanding to remain within 20km of home up until phase 4 on 20 July. Further guidance on annual leave may be issued when guidance on domestic and international travel is updated.

National Children's Hospital

Ceisteanna (121, 122, 123)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

121. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has communicated with National Paediatric Hospital Development Board since 1 March 2020 on the cost projections for the national children’s hospital caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8769/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

122. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has communicated with the National Procurement Board since 1 March 2020 on the increased cost projections for the national children’s hospital caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8770/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

123. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the communications that have taken place between his Department and the Department of Health regarding the potential for increased costs in the development of the national children’s hospital in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8772/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 123, inclusive, together.

In reply, I would inform the Deputy that questions in relation to the costs associated with the National Children’s Hospital are proper to my colleague the Minister for Health in the first instance. I have engaged in no particular correspondence with the Minister for Health or the two Boards referred to in relation to any potential for increased costs for this project arising in the context of Covid-19. Officials in my Department and in the Department of Health remain in contact from time to time on this and other matters relating to the capital programme and to the wider Covid-19 response. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Children's Hospital Development Board (NCHDB) handles the day-to-day management of the costs associated with the National Children's Hospital, including with a view to robustly defending the contract from any undue escalation in costs, and in this context certain issues in relation to contract management are currently before the courts.

National Lottery

Ceisteanna (124)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

124. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are delays with persons being paid their national lottery winnings in cases in which they have won a prize; if so, when the problem will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9166/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As part of the restrictions introduced to limit the spread of COVID-19, people are urged to stay at home wherever possible.

The majority of prize winners have been able to claim prizes at retail agents and claim centres around the country. However, in order to claim a high tier prizes (i.e. €15,000 and over) winners have needed to present themselves at National Lottery HQ to make their claim, in order to satisfy the requirements of the Lottery in respect of identity and security. This has not been possible on foot of the travel restrictions under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020.

The National Lottery Regulator and the Operator of the National Lottery have addressed this by agreeing to amend the National Lottery licence and the game rules to allow winners of high tier prizes to claim their prize in an alternative manner where COVID-19 restrictions prevent them from presenting at National Lottery HQ. These amendments came into effect on 2 June 2020.

Ministerial Correspondence

Ceisteanna (125)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

125. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8402/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

As the Deputy may be aware, the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) administer the pensions of retired civil servants.

I understand that the NSSO has now written directly to this individual on the 29th of May to address his specific concerns relating to the interaction of pension and taxation issues.