Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 28 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 275-294

Sustainable Development Goals

Ceisteanna (275)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

275. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of his Department; and the way in which progress towards achieving the goals will be monitored and reported annually. [18274/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In accordance with the requirements of section 4 of the Public Service Management Act 1997, my Department has recently commenced the process of developing a Statement of Strategy for submission to me by mid-December 2020. The Statement of Strategy will map out the risks, challenges and opportunities that will shape the Department’s operating environment and set out the actions, outputs and outcomes for the Department for the next three years. Implementation of the Statement of Strategy will be underpinned by Annual Business Plans, which will set out in detail how the Department will deliver on its key priorities for each year. Key developments and achievements each year will be set out in the Department’s Annual Reports. The Statement of Strategy will take account of the policy commitments contained in the “Programme for Government – Our Shared Future” relevant to the Department.  

As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to developing a set of wellbeing indicators to give a more rounded, holistic view of how our society is faring.  The development of this work will be informed by the experience of other jurisdictions which have developed similar measures in recent years. The Programme for Government outlines that through the Department of the Taoiseach, a group of experts will be convened from the public service, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to guide this work. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals combine to form a comprehensive framework that can be used to gauge progress in countries across the world; these goals can certainly play a part in informing the process of selecting wellbeing indicators for Ireland. 

Through my Department's responsibility for Performance and Equality budgeting, work is already underway in examining the latest developments in the wellbeing sphere – the Sustainable Development Goals are one example of this international best practice. Leveraging experience in identifying metrics which maximise transparency and accountability, and utilising the guidance we provide to line departments in identifying the most appropriate measures to scrutinise public expenditure, I envisage that my Department will play a key role in working with the Department of the Taoiseach in delivering this work.

Departmental Circulars

Ceisteanna (276)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

276. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if Circular 05/2017 on motor travel rate will be amended to include cycling as a commutable expense and encourage alternative sustainable travel. [18408/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Circular 05/2017 sets out the recoupment rates applying where a civil or public servant is required to use their own car while on official duty.

Officers may not claim mileage or other transport costs for travel to and from work as recoupment does not apply to home to work travel.  This applies equally to both motor and bicycle rates.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Revenue Commissioners administer a tax relief scheme for employers to provide a bicycle to employees where the employee does not incur a tax cost for benefit in kind. The Cycle to Work Scheme operates by way of a salary sacrifice and may also be used towards the cost of an electric bike.

Where an officer uses their own bicycle for official travel, they may claim mileage at a rate of 8 cent per kilometre. I am aware that this rate has been in place since 2007 and was determined by reference to annual wear and tear, the average cost of a bicycle, depreciation, maintenance, cleaning and repairs, and protective clothing applying at that stage. My officials are currently reviewing the mileage arrangements and the bicycle rate will be addressed as part of that review.

Office of Public Works

Ceisteanna (277)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

277. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the development of the Leeson Lane office building project has commenced; when the project will be completed; and the estimated cost of the project. [18460/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The tender documentation for the development of the Leeson Lane Office Building Project is complete and is awaiting approval from the Sponsoring and Sanctioning Authority to issue tender documentation to prequalified contractors as required by the Public Spending Code and the Capital Works Management Framework. The tender issue process and assessment takes approximately four to six months. The construction period is two years. OPW do not normally disclose the cost of the project prior to tender for commercially sensitive reasons.

Office of Public Works

Ceisteanna (278)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

278. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW plans to refurbish the Garda immigration facility at Dublin Port; if so, when such work will commence; and the estimated time frame of such works. [18461/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Dublin Port Company is seeking to relocate the current Garda Immigration facility in Dublin Port.  OPW are working with the Port Authority to find a suitable alternative.

Football Association of Ireland

Ceisteanna (279)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consultations with and or if sanction was sought by the Secretary General of his Department to take up a board position at an association (details supplied); the procedures in place in his Department in respect of sanctioning voted expenditure to other Departments that can be distributed to other State agencies which is in turn granted to associations on which senior Government officials are board members of in order to satisfy clear and transparent governance status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm to the Deputy that the Secretary General of my Department did consult with me prior to confirmation of his appointment as a non-Executive Director position at this sporting organisation. 

The management of grant funding provided from public money issued in the form of a DPER Circular 13/2014 – Management and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This Circular outlines the public financial management principles, procedures, and additional reporting requirements to be followed in the management of grant funding provided from public money. The fundamental principle is that there should be transparency and accountability in the management of public money, in line with economy, efficiency and effectiveness. The provisions of the Circular apply to the movement of funds from a Vote to an outside body, and to any/all onward movements of that funding. The objective is to ensure that all Exchequer funds, regardless of the method of distribution, are accounted for and properly managed.

Ministerial Briefing

Ceisteanna (280)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

280. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a copy of the briefing documents provided to him upon his appointment to his Department will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18719/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that the briefing documents provided by my Department following my appointment as Minister have been published on my Department's website, and can be viewed at the link below. The published version has regard to the relevant provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.  

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a693b-incoming-ministers-brief/

Public Consultation Process

Ceisteanna (281)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

281. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for reform to address the low levels of trust in Government as measured in a recent report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18721/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Edelman Trust Barometer is an online survey, with the fieldwork for the 2020 survey having been conducted in October and November 2019.  While the methodology used is not set out in detail in the report, it is apparent that the questions asked in the survey reflect the concerns of citizens and the challenges being faced globally in relation to the economy, inequality and technology.

In the survey for the 2019 Barometer, 38 per cent of Irish respondents said they trusted government "to do what is right". This increased to 41 per cent for the 2020 Barometer. Trust in Business and NGOs also increased, to 48 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.

It is essential that citizens have trust in Government. Trust in Government is also essential in underpinning  the policies and legislation that are adopted by the State to meet the challenges faced by society as a whole.

In relation to reform and how it can support trust in government, initiatives have addressed areas such as the capacity of the civil service and the conduct of politics. 

Capacity of the Civil Service

The challenge of maintaining trust in the Irish Civil Service was highlighted as a key challenge in the Civil Service Renewal Plan 2014. Since the publication of this plan various actions have been progressed aimed at building public trust:

- The development of a common Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service;

- Progression of Employee Engagement Surveys across the Civil Service;

- Organisation of 46 Open Policy Debates involving stakeholders across various policy areas;

- A system of Organisational Capability Reviews to assess and strengthen performance and capacity across Departments is being implemented; 

- Improvements to how data is collected, managed and stored through the National Data Infrastructure project.

Digital transformation is also central to the reform of the Civil and Public Service, and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (which is a Division of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) is leading this agenda.  While substantial progress has been made, especially over the last two to three years, further acceleration will be a primary focus. 

Digital is also a key theme at international and EU level.  Even before Covid-19, the OECD had noted that digitisation is changing the way people live, interact and work, which affects the relationship between governments and citizens and requires a transformation of how public services are designed and delivered. The dividends from meeting such expectations will include efficiency, transparency, trust, and inclusion

The next phase of Civil Service Renewal is currently in development and will contain further actions  to empower  the Civil Service to respond quickly to change whilst ensuring accountability and high performance. These actions will aim to build accountability, to develop trust and provide ambitious leadership to support openness.

Political Reform

A substantial body of legislation has been enacted by recent Governments in areas such as Protected Disclosures, Freedom of Information, Regulation of Lobbying and Oireachtas Inquiries in order to strengthen public confidence in our public administration and the structures of Government.  Tasks currently being  progressed include transposition into Irish law of the EU Whistleblowing Directive and implementation of the Data Sharing and Governance Act. 

At present, the main legislation regulating the ethical conduct of public officials is The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, as amended by the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. This legislation provides for the disclosure of registrable interests by members of the Oireachtas and public servants and for investigation of possible non-compliance with the legislation. It provides for the publication of Codes of Conduct for office holders, for ordinary members of the Dáil, for ordinary members of the Seanad and for public servants, and also a requirement that members of the Oireachtas and appointees to senior office in the public service furnish evidence of tax compliance. 

The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 was commenced on 1 September 2015. It is designed to provide appropriate transparency on 'who is lobbying whom about what', and allows all sections of society to reach informed evidence-based judgments regarding the extent to which different interest groups are able to access the decision-making processes. The Act sets out arrangements for bringing transparency to lobbying activities through a web-based register. For further details, see: https://www.lobbying.ie/.  Provisions in the Act regarding enforcement commenced on the 1st January 2017. 

The Programme for Government contains  commitments in relation to   both ethics and lobbying legislation.  

The Standards in Public Office Commission is responsible for regulatory functions in relation to the above legislation, including maintaining and publishing relevant registers, and investigating complaints. For further details, see: http://www.sipo.ie/en/.  

To further promote transparency and accountability, a modernised, consolidated, restructured, more accessible Freedom of Information Act 2014 was introduced in October 2014. The 2014 Act made a significant number of additional bodies subject to the FOI, now approaching some 600 organisations.  The Information Commissioner, an independent statutory officer, is responsible for carrying out reviews of decisions made under the Act as well as oversight of the operation of this legislation. For further details, see: http://foi.gov.ie/ http://www.oic.gov.ie/en/.

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 provides robust statutory protections for workers in both the public and private sectors against the real or potential penalisation by their employers where they have brought concerns about wrongdoing in the workplace to light (whistleblowing). The Workplace Relations Commission has developed a statutory code of practice on the Act (S.I. No. 464 of 2015). For further information on the Protected Disclosures Act, see: http://www.per.gov.ie/en/protected-disclosures-i-e-whistleblowing/.  The transposition into Irish law of the EU Whistleblowing Directive is currently being progressed.  

Significant changes were made to the process of State board appointments during 2014, with the broad objectives of providing access to State board opportunities to as wide a pool of candidates as possible, strengthening the performance of State boards by identifying and securing high-quality membership, and attaining a high level of transparency in the selection and appointment of board members by Ministers. For further details, see: http://www.stateboards.ie/stateboards/.

Finally, I would also like to mention Our Public Service 2020 (OPS2020). This is  the framework for development and innovation in Ireland’s public service. Our Public Service 2020 has an outcomes-driven focus, and has been designed to enable public service organisations to deliver better outcomes for the public.  Our Public Service 2020 has identified six high-level outcomes including ‘increased public trust.’ A review of OPS2020 will inform the development of the successor framework- OPS2030.  

It is considered that Ireland is well positioned to be a global leader in building greater trust between Government and its citizens. Ireland scored well above the European average on our public service values in the Public Sector Trends’ report (Public Sector Trends, Boyle, Institute of Public Administration 2019) -  providing Ireland with  a strong platform to lead by example.

National Monuments

Ceisteanna (282)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

282. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Public Works ceased control of or involvement with the national monument at Tully Church, Lehaunstown, County Dublin inside the Cherrywood STZ in view of the fact it is clearly marked with an Office of Public Works sign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18860/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Office of Public Works has not ceased control or involvement with Tully Church, Lehaunstown, County Dublin and it is included as part of the regular maintenance program undertaken by staff from the Trim National Monument Depot.  The site was excluded in error from the earlier response given to the Deputy in respect of the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone.   

For complete clarity and for the avoidance of any further doubt, the full list of sites managed and maintained by the Office of Public Works in County Dublin is attached in the following table.

[<a href="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2020-07-28_pq282-28-07-20_en.pdf <Monuments in State Care in Dublin>]

Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme

Ceisteanna (283)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

283. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding allocated for works to be carried out at the residence of persons (details supplied) under the voluntary homeowners' relocation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18881/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have been advised by Meath County Council that it is currently engaged in the process of procuring Consulting Engineers to carry out detailed design on this project.

When this process has been completed, along with the associated tendering costs of the works, the actual cost of the project will then be known.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (284)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

284. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the work of the cross-Departmental social considerations advisory group to promote and facilitate the incorporation of social considerations into public procurement projects; if this will include consideration of the ILO conventions 87 and 98, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18890/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules, the aim of which is to ensure that procurement transactions and decisions are open and transparent, fair, equitable and achieve value for money. Inclusion of social considerations has been specifically allowed for in the 2014 EU Directives on Public Procurement. As transposed, the 2016 Regulations require tenderers to comply with obligations in the fields of environmental, social and labour law that apply at the place where the works are carried out or the services provided and that have been established by European Union law, national law, enforceable national collective agreements or by international, environmental, social and labour law.  The agreements and conventions which can be found in our national public procurement guidelines include, inter alia, the ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and the Protection of the Right to Organise and the ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

The Office of Government Procurement established the cross Departmental Social Considerations Advisory Group in March 2019, bringing together officials from policy Departments to share best practice and to facilitate the process of incorporating social and environmental considerations into public procurement. This cross-departmental group met three times in 2019.  Due to the impact of Covid-19, it has been unable to meet so far this year.  However, the OGP has held bilateral meetings and maintained contact with members throughout.  Members are in the process of identifying appropriate social policy objectives in which social considerations can be advanced through the group.  In addition to the work of the Social Considerations Advisory Group, officials from the OGP have also engaged in bilateral meetings with Government Departments and promoted the inclusion of social considerations in public procurement at number of procurement related events. 

The OGP published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement in October 2019. The Circular highlights opportunities for Departments to deliver wider social and environmental aims through public procurement including in relation to employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged groups, disability access, promoting social inclusion and social enterprises.

The Circular was the latest in a series of measures following publication of the Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement in December 2018.  The Information Note assists policy makers and practitioners in understanding how public procurement can be used to facilitate the advancement of existing social policy objectives as well as the wider context and implications of including them in particular public procurement projects.

It is worth noting that the OGP cannot decide for other contracting authorities, or at a whole-of-Government level, what social considerations should be included in the frameworks and contracts that it puts in place on their behalf.  The OGP requires guidance from policy departments (and Government approval as appropriate) as well as the agreement of individual contracting authorities who are responsible for managing their own contracts and the associated costs. The appropriateness of including social considerations needs to be examined on a contract-by-contract basis and there needs to be sufficient flexibility to allow each individual contracting authority to decide what, how, and when social considerations can be used. The OGP facilitates the process of incorporating those objectives, once agreed, into planned procurement projects.

The Government has set out a number of commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to public procurement including evaluating and managing the environmental, economic and social impacts of procurement strategies within the state. I, along with my colleagues in Government, will be considering how best to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government, which contains a number of ambitious goals that directly correlate with the aims of the Social Considerations Advisory Group.  Minister of State Smyth and I have met with the Chief Procurement Officer and will be seeking to build on the progress to date.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (285)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

285. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the review of the capital works management framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18891/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) represents the tools that a public body must use to procure and manage the external resources necessary to deliver a public works project that is to be delivered under the Exchequer-funded element of the National Development Plan.

A review of the policies and practices deployed in the procurement of public works projects commenced in March 2019.  The focus of the review is on improving the delivery of construction projects in terms of quality, timely delivery and cost outcomes. 

The review will deliver significant changes to the CWMF over the coming years.  The review process involves extensive engagement led by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), both with industry stakeholders, and with the public bodies charged with the delivery of public works projects on a broad range of issues such as:

- price variation;

- risk management;

- creating a better quality: price balance in the award of contracts;

- adoption of BIM on public works projects;

- liability, indemnity and insurance requirements;

- performance evaluation;

- encouraging collaborative working.

A high-level strategy has been developed with the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC) to guide the implementation which will be addressed primarily through the progressive refinement and enhancement of the CWMF. 

Whilst the onset of Covid-19 has impacted on the conduct of the review, progress is being made on a number of fronts.

- The initial focus is on the engagement of consultancy services, which is aimed at driving better project definition, in order to provide greater certainty for all those engaged in the construction stage.  Overall improvement in project definition is required through establishing minimum standards for information at the different stages of a project’s development.  A consultation paper was published in May 2019 setting out four measures that will improve the service provided:

1. Setting minimum standards for Project Briefs;

2. Establishing standard definitions for the scope of services required from the main consultancy appointments;

3. Linking the fee makeup to the scope of services;

4. Introducing clear reporting lines for each member of the design team with a particular focus on cost reporting.

Work is ongoing on the detailed implementation aspects which will be delivered throughout 2020 by means of changes to the template tender documents, publication of new guidance material and exploring digital solutions to the presentation of 2) and 3) above.

- A review of the price variation mechanisms used in both the CWMF consultancy and construction contracts is currently underway. 

- Extensive engagement has taken place with the NSAI and other stakeholders in developing technical standards which will enable public bodies to procure Building Information Modelling services in a consistent manner across the NDP.  An implementation plan for the adoption of BIM will be launched shortly setting out dates for a phased adoption of BIM. 

- The OGP is engaging with key stakeholders on the issue of liability, indemnities and insurance and is also reviewing broader aspects of the required terms in the contracts used to engage design teams and contractors.  A number of meetings have been held in February/March with further engagement necessary before a position paper is prepared for consultation purposes.

- Engagement is ongoing in developing standard metrics for life cycle costing and life cycle analysis that can be applied to the evaluation of projects’ cost of use in service and full life cycle analysis, including the carbon impact of individual projects.  The OGP is liaising with the GCCC and the Irish Green Building Council in developing these metrics.  A position paper will be published in Q4 of 2020 for public consultation.

- The Cost Control Templates published under the CWMF are undergoing review to incorporate the International Construction Measurement Standard (ICMS).  A working group has been established and revised templates will be published in Q3 of 2020. ICMS is a global standard for benchmarking and reporting of construction project cost and covers both capital and whole life costing while providing a way of presenting costs in a consistent format.

Public Procurement Contracts

Ceisteanna (286)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

286. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the procurement reform programme overseen by the Interim Procurement Reform Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18892/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The programme for public procurement reform commenced in 2013 as part of the overall public sector reform programme. A new public procurement model was established to deliver a more-centralised model of procurement for commonly sourced goods and services across the public service.

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) was established in 2014 to drive the reform programme through the provision of policy interventions, advice and guidance, through the development of procurement solutions such as framework agreements, and through the analysis of public expenditure and tendering activity.  Since then, significant progress has been made in enabling value-for-money, supporting compliant procurement, promoting SME participation, increasing communication and guidance, professionalising the practice of public procurement, and promoting transparency.  Results from an independent survey of Government Departments and public bodies in 2018 recorded a high level of satisfaction with the services of the OGP.

The interim Procurement Reform Board (the Board) brings together representatives from across the OGP’s client bodies, its sector partners in Health, Education, Local Government and Defence, as well as independent external representatives. The Board oversees the procurement reform programme across the public service and the work of the OGP and promotes engagement with the new arrangements.  The head of OGP, who is Government’s Chief Procurement Officer, is also a member of the Board.  In 2019, the Board presented an annual report detailing its work in 2018 to me and I have published it.  The Board expects to present its annual report for 2019 in the near future and I will again publish that.

Under the guidance of the Board, the OGP is leading on further possible reforms and is considering, through recent consultation with Government Ministers and Departments, its sector partners and industry stakeholders, refinements to the national model to continue to improve public procurement across government.  The feedback from this stakeholder engagement will help to inform such proposals.  My colleague, the Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Procurement, and I will engage with our colleagues in Government on them in due course.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (287)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

287. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW tourism and heritage sites that are open to the public by county, in tabular form. [19044/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A number of Guided Heritage Visitor sites managed by the Office of Public Works have been re-opening to the public in recent weeks and months.  The table attached summarises the position currently and is correct as at Monday 27th July 2020.   This list will be amended on an ongoing basis as the status of these, or other locations still currently closed, changes.

Visitors should note that a changed service may be necessary at some locations to ensure adherence, in as far as possible, to Government guidelines in relation to mitigating the spread of Covid 19 infection.  This will include a restriction on numbers to certain indoor spaces and in some cases, access only with advance online booking.   

[<a href="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2020-07-28_pq287-28-07-20_en.pdf <OPW Roadmap>]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (288)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

288. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the OPW tourism and heritage sites that are closed to the public due to Covid-19 restrictions; and when they plan to reopen by county, in tabular form. [19045/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Heritage Visitor sites managed by the Office of Public Works were and continue to be directly affected by the Covid-19 crisis with both year-round and seasonal sites within the portfolio closed to the public during the shutdown.  OPW has been working to re-open operations at a number of sites and in the main, the majority of sites which can re-open to the public have now done so.  However, there are a small number of sites where re-opening will not be possible for a number of operational reasons dictated by the need to remain in compliance with Government guidelines in terms of the health of both staff and visitors. 

The closure list, in the following table, gives the position as of yesterday, Monday 27th July 2020.

Closures List

Wildlife Control

Ceisteanna (289)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

289. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide copies of all relevant communications and correspondence between her Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the EU Commission and the EU Directorate-General for the Environment on a matter (details supplied), including all such relevant communications and correspondence exchanged with those EU authorities during the period while the NPWS comes under the auspices of her Department. [18132/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is aware of the impact of gull species especially in coastal urban areas and in particular to the area referred to in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy.   

The State Wide Declaration for the period up to 30 April 2021 allows the killing and capturing of certain wild bird species where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety.   The Declaration is published on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at https://www.npws.ie/legislation/irish-law/eu-birds-directive-derogations.  The Declaration includes methods to control seagull species in a specific area in North Dublin for public safety reasons. The control method involves the removal of eggs and nests only and the culling of seagulls is not permitted.

It is stated in the correspondence in question that these Declarations are entirely matters for EU Member States and as a consequence my Department has had no direct correspondence with the Commission on these matters.  However, my Department does provide an annual report to the Commission on derogations issued under Article 9 as required under the Birds Directive.

ANIAR Ecology were appointed by my Department to undertake a comprehensive review of the derogation process under Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive and published their report in October 2018.  In line with the recommendations in the consultant’s report a Consultative Committee was established to undertake a review of the issues surrounding the impact of gulls in urban areas, with an independent chair, whose membership includes representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department, Fingal County Council, a local Community Committee and BirdWatch Ireland.   

The remit of the Consultative Committee was not confined to one particular urban area given the widespread range of seagulls.  The Committee was formed in June 2019 and has published its first interim report. This is the Committee referred to in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (290)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the administrative costs of the head office of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2018 and 2019. [18166/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is a constituent line division of my Department. Accordingly, its administrative supports  and costs are generally provided directly by my Department, similar to all other line divisions. Details of my Department's administrative provisions are available in the annual published Revised Estimates Volumes which are available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Website via the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/?referrer=/en/rev/.

Departmental Functions

Ceisteanna (291)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

291. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the Departments that will have responsibility for the islands with Irish as the main language, islands with English as the main language and all islands following the transfer of functions. [18351/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following the Taoiseach's announcement on 27 June, arrangements are currently being made to transfer the functions of the Islands Division to my colleague in the Department of Rural and Community Development.  There is no distinction between Irish and English speaking islands in this regard. 

I can assure the Deputy that there will be no diminution in the level of service through the medium of Irish to Gaeltacht island communities as a result of this transfer. 

Special Areas of Conservation

Ceisteanna (292)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

292. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that the allocation of €5 million made in Budget 2020 from the carbon tax fund to restore over 1,800ha within the raised bog special area of conservation and national heritage area network on a number of raised bogs across several counties in the midlands region can now be used for this work in view of the High Court ruling in September 2019 requiring that work on peatlands in excess of 30ha requires planning permission and a valid EPA licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18885/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A key element of the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017-2022 is to maintain active raised bog habitat and restore degraded raised bog habitat to active raised bog habitat. The national restoration programme for Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation and natural heritage areas is contained within this Plan. It was intended to restore all designated raised bogs within 3 cycles, with the first cycle operating for the duration of the Management Plan.

This programme is being accelerated due to the announcement in Budget 2020 of €5m from the Carbon Tax Fund for peatlands restoration. This funding will allow for restoration measures to be undertaken on approximately 1,800 hectares on up to 9 raised bog designated sites across 7 counties in 2020 and the installation of an Eddy Covariance Flux tower on a representative bog to directly observe the exchanges of gas, energy, and momentum between the ecosystem and the atmosphere. The flux tower will directly measure the carbon, water, and heat flows between plant communities and the atmosphere.

The restoration measures on Ireland's protected raised bogs are among the peatland actions in the Climate Action Plan 2019 and also support the Just Transition process in the midlands region.

Unlike with peat extraction, such as on areas of more than 30 hectares, to which the  High Court judgement of September 2019 referred to by the Deputy relates, restoration measures on raised bogs involve the insertion of dams on certain areas of the bog to block surface water drains and restore more natural physical conditions, thus rewetting the bog and raising water levels close to the bog surface to restore peat forming conditions. The aim is to raise the water table so that it remains within 10cm of the surface to encourage the growth of sphagnum moss. Restoration measures may also include tree felling and scrub clearance.

I am advised that peatland restoration measures being undertaken as part of the Department’s 2020 programme are directly connected with and necessary for the management of special area of conservation raised bog sites and as such an appropriate assessment is not required to be undertaken in advance of these measures being undertake on a particular site. Therefore, there is no requirement generally to seek planning permission on this basis. However, prior to the commencement of restoration measures on each protected raised bog site, any necessary environmental screening and assessment will be undertaken.

Amenity development proposals at these sites may require planning permission and will be progressed as necessary.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (293)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

293. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding will be provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to invest in roads, walkways and trails in Killarney National Park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18217/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 87,000 hectares. Our 6 National Parks account for circa 65,000 hectares with another almost 22,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. In the past 4 years more than €3m has been invested in Killarney National park including more than €330k on upgrading the road network. The roads mentioned by the Deputy are included in the Department’s future plans for investment within the park and it is envisaged some work can commence this year as a result of the July 2020 Stimulus package for the National Parks and Wildlife Service announced by the Government.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (294)

Danny Healy-Rae

Ceist:

294. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide funding to the National Parks and Wildlife to invest in the enhancement of Skellig Michael; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18220/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Sceilg Mhichíl is a World Heritage site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996 on the basis of its Outstanding Universal Value. It is a national monument in State care, and it also forms part of the Skelligs Special Protection Area (SPA).

My Department's National Monuments Service (NMS) has primary responsibility for conservation of the site, in cooperation with the Office of Public Works (OPW), which manages it on my behalf. The Department also acts as focal point for Ireland, as State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, and is responsible for safeguarding and maintaining the island’s Outstanding Universal Value.

My Department is in the process of purchasing the Skellig Experience Visitor Centre on Valentia Island and this asset will be integrated into the State’s visitor services. In line with the principles of the Sceilg Mhichíl Site Management Plan, the acquisition of this facility will provide visitors who can, and cannot, visit Sceilg Mhichíl with an accessible visitor experience and orientation point. The OPW is currently developing plans to refurbish the lower lighthouse while continuing with conservation works to the upper lighthouse access road. 

The Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service also contributes to management of the island through its membership, with NMS and OPW, of the Sceilg Mhichíl Implementation Group, whose function is to ensure that an effective overall management framework is in place to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the site. This includes measures to improve liaison with local interest groups and other relevant parties, to identify and conserve the natural heritage of the island, to further promote its importance as a World Heritage Site and to ensure that there continues to be a co-ordinated approach by Government Departments, agencies and other statutory bodies with responsibilities for making and implementing national policies and undertaking activities that may impact on Skellig Michael and its environs.

My Department and the Office of Public Works are committed to providing the resources and supports that will ensure that the Sceilg Mhichíl site is managed and maintained to the highest possible standards commensurate with its status as a World Heritage site of global renown.

Barr
Roinn