Written Answers Nos. 59-77
59. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on resolving the cost of insurance crisis to aid SMEs to recover (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29022/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that insurance reform is a key policy priority for this Government and this is reflected in the Programme for Government (PfG). There are a number of areas that require reform and this is why making progress on these problems will require a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach as recognised in the PfG. This lays out specific commitments that are aimed at addressing consumer and business concerns on the cost of insurance. These include increasing transparency; reviewing duty of care legislation; looking at how to further enhance the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; minimising the scope for questionable claims; and increasing competition in the market.
Implementation of this agenda will be a key issue for myself and Minister of State Fleming as well other members of Cabinet, especially those that will be working on this through the recently established Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment’s sub-Group on Insurance Reform. This sub-Group held its inaugural meeting on 1 October and identified a number of key deliverables to be progressed before the end of 2020. The Sub-group is chaired by the Tánaiste, and also includes myself, Ministers McGrath, McEntee, and O’Gorman, together with Ministers of State Troy and Fleming as standing members. I believe that this sub-Group provides the best opportunity to address the cost and availability of insurance through a cross-Governmental response. This will build and expand upon the previous commendable work done by the Cost of Insurance Working Group.
As you will be aware, a number of important reforms have already taken place, and the impact of these is reflected in the recent CSO data which indicate that the cost of private motor insurance is now a third cheaper than at its peak in July 2016. The sub-Group will focus on those reforms needed to ensure that similar reductions in cost can be extended to other areas of insurance, most notably, Employer and Public Liability insurance, which are among the main concerns for businesses.
Undoubtedly, in that regard, a necessary step is to bring the levels of personal injury damages awarded in this country more in line with those awarded in other jurisdictions. The establishment of the Judicial Council last December is very important in this regard, and it is expected that the Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee will submit draft Guidelines to the Judicial Council shortly. While the adoption of those Guidelines will be a matter for the Judicial Council, it is desirable that the Guidelines could play a role in the lowering of award levels and also could lead to a more consistent application of making awards in courts. Insurance Ireland has indicated that if award levels come down so will premiums charged by its members. I believe that this is a very important statement and this Government intends holding the insurance industry to this commitment.
In conclusion, the Deputy can rest assured that in addition to all the other measures that Government has taken over recent months to support SMEs, the issue of insurance reform is a key priority issue for this Government. In that context we will continue to seek to ensure that progress is made in this policy area.
60. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance if measures are being examined to incentivise the purchase of new cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29037/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, it is a long-standing practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the estimated amount that would be raised annually by implementing four new tax bands by amounts (details supplied) [29098/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is assumed that the new tax rates and bands proposed by the Deputy would be integrated into the current income tax system. On that basis, I am advised by Revenue that the estimated additional yield to the Exchequer would be of the order of €1.3 billion and €1.7 billion on a first year and full year basis respectively.
These calculations have been generated by reference to estimated 2021 incomes, based on actual data for the year 2018, the latest year for which returns are available. The estimates have been adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. It is assumed that there is no change in behaviour as a result of the new taxation structure.
62. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the tax liability that may arise under income tax, USC and PRSI as a result of persons having received support from the temporary wage subsidy scheme; the way in which the Revenue Commissioners will inform persons of their liability; and if the Revenue Commissioners phase the recovery of taxes due. [29126/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs there are considerable differences in each person’s tax circumstances, it is not possible to provide details of the estimated undercharges arising from the taxation of payments under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), nor to estimate the numbers of individuals who may have such undercharges.
The TWSS was legislated for in section 28 of the Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid-19) Act 2020.
Payments made under the scheme are income supports and share the characteristics of income. Other income earners in receipt of comparable “normal wages” are taxable on those wages. In the interest of equity, therefore, payments under the TWSS are subject to income tax and USC.
While income tax and the USC on most income is deducted in real-time as and when the person is paid, the TWSS payments were not taxed in real-time and are instead liable to income tax and USC at the end of the year (2020).
Revenue will make a Preliminary End of Year Statement available to all employees in January 2021, including those who were in receipt of the TWSS. The Preliminary End of Year Statement includes information relating to an employee’s income received, including pensions and income from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protect, as well as their tax credit entitlements. For the tax year 2020, the Statement will also include information on the amounts of TWSS payments, if any, received by each employee. In addition, the Statement will provide employees with a preliminary calculation of the income tax and USC position for 2020 and will indicate whether their tax position is balanced, underpaid or overpaid for the year.
Upon viewing the Preliminary End of Year Statement through myAccount, which is Revenue’s secure online facility for individual taxpayer services, employees will have an opportunity to update their personal record, declare any additional income and claim any additional tax credits due, for example qualifying health expenses, to arrive at their final liability for 2020.
Where a liability is finalised, individuals may opt to fully or partially pay any income tax and USC liability through the Payments/Repayments facility in myAccount. Where individuals do not opt to fully or partially pay, Revenue will collect the liability by reducing their tax credits over 4 years, interest free. The reduction of tax credits will start in January 2022.
On 25 September 2020, Revenue provided an update, by way of public announcement, as to how any tax liability arising on the TWSS will be dealt with. I am pleased to welcome this fair and flexible approach being taken by and I am confident that Revenue will continue to work with their customers to minimise any financial hardship to the greatest extent possible, noting that because of our progressive income tax system, in the vast majority of cases, the expected tax liability will be modest in scale.
63. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the reliefs made available to enterprises in respect of tax liabilities arising during the Covid-19 crisis; the periods covered; and the way in which it is planned to recover the warehoused liabilities in the situation in which many enterprises will remain vulnerable for some considerable time. [29129/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Financial Measures (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020 put on a statutory footing the arrangements for the ‘warehousing’ of tax debts that Revenue had been operating on an administrative basis since the beginning of Covid-19 related restrictions in March 2020. The arrangements apply to VAT liabilities in respect of January/February 2020 to July/August 2020 inclusive and PAYE (Employer) liabilities in respect of February to August 2020 inclusive.
The legislation provides that outstanding VAT and PAYE (Employer) liabilities incurred during the period of restricted trading (known as Period 1) can be deferred for a period of 12 months after resumption of trading (known as Period 2). Rather than the normal interest rate of c. 10% per annum on such liabilities, interest on ‘warehoused’ debts is applied at 0% to the end of ‘Period 2’ and 3% thereafter until the liabilities are paid (known as Period 3). While the debt must ultimately be paid, taxpayers can repay it over an extended ‘Period 3’ timeline, depending on their financial circumstances and avail of the reduced 3% interest rate for the payment duration.
Access to the ‘warehousing’ arrangements is dependent on all outstanding tax returns being filed and current taxes being paid on a timely basis once trading is resumed. The 0% interest rate available in Period 2 can be extended to a date no later than 31 December 2022 by Ministerial Order. Businesses that avail of the ‘warehousing’ scheme also qualify for a Tax Clearance Certificate if they otherwise meet the normal qualifying conditions. This allows them to avail of other essential Covid-19 related supports such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the Stay and Spend Scheme. There are almost 70,000 taxpayers and businesses currently availing of the ‘warehousing’ arrangements to the value of €1.8 billion (€978m VAT and €825m Employers PAYE).
As a further support measure for businesses, I also introduced the reduced 3% annual interest rate for certain non- Covid-19 related tax debts as part of the July 2020 Jobs Stimulus Package. This rate represents a significant reduction from the standard 8% and 10% rates that normally apply to such liabilities and is applicable across all tax-heads and outstanding debts that cannot be ‘warehoused’, for example older liabilities and as well as tax debts not associated with Covid-19. The interest rate reduction is a key incentive to businesses to bring their tax affairs into order, be tax cleared, and thereby become eligible for the other Covid-19 related supports that are available, including the EWSS and the Stay and Spend Scheme.
To avail of the reduced 3% rate, businesses are required to agree a payment arrangement with Revenue by 31 October 2020. Revenue has advised me that almost €50m of non-Covid-19 related tax debt is now covered by phased payments incorporating the reduced 3% rate.
64. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the tax reliefs available to persons who are working from home; and the conditions under which the reliefs can be claimed. [29156/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the individual tax rebate for working from home in 2020 which can be claimed against 10% of the costs of home working; the cost of same in 2018 and 2019; and his plans to increase the amount claimable by persons. [29193/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 66 together.
The 2020 Programme for Government: Our Shared Future contains several commitments related to working from home, including an examination of the “feasibility and merits of changing tax arrangements to encourage more people to work remotely”, the responsibility for which falls to my Department. There is also a commitment to the development of a ”national remote working strategy” and to that end, a Remote Working Strategy Inter-Departmental Group has been established. Officials from my Department are included in this group which is chaired by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A number of issues are being considered as relevant to these commitments, the results of which will be made public in due course.
In terms of the current tax treatment of the costs associated with working from home, I would note that any such costs incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the business by an employer (for example, the provision of equipment) may be deducted by the employer in the normal course of calculating the tax liability of their business.
From the perspective of the individual employee, there is no specific tax credit available to employees where they work from home. The consideration of the introduction of any such credit would need to balance a number of factors including issues of equity, noting that not every worker is able to work remotely or from home for a variety of reasons including the nature of their work and also the nature of their home environment.
However, I am advised by Revenue that where e-workers incur certain extra expenditure in the performance of their duties of employment remotely or from home, such as additional heating and electricity costs, there is a Revenue administrative practice in place that allows an employer to make payments up to €3.20 per day to such employees, subject to certain conditions, without deducting PAYE, PRSI, or USC.
Revenue have confirmed that PAYE workers using their primary residence as a workplace during Covid-19 restrictions qualify as e-workers for the purposes of this practice.
Revenue also advise that the provision of equipment, such as computers, printers, scanners and office furniture by the employer to enable the employee work from home will not attract a Benefit-In-Kind charge, where the equipment is provided primarily for business use. The provision of a telephone line, broadband and such facilities for business use will also not give rise to a Benefit-in-Kind charge, where private use of the connection is incidental.
Where an employer does not pay €3.20 per day to an e-worker, I am advised that employees retain their statutory right to claim a deduction under section 114 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 in respect of actual vouched expenses incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of their employment. PAYE employees are entitled to claim costs such as additional light and heat in respect of the number of days spent working from home, apportioned on the basis of business and private use.
PAYE workers can claim e-working expenses by completing an Income Tax return at year end. Revenue advise that the simplest way for taxpayers to claim their e-working expenses and any other tax credit entitlements is by logging into the myAccount facility on the Revenue website. I am advised by Revenue that where a deduction in respect of expenses in relation to working from home is claimed in a tax return, the amounts are included in a general ‘Expenses’ field. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the number or value of specific claims in relation to these expenses.
Finally, I am advised that Revenue have published detailed guidance on e-working arrangements in their Tax and Duty manual TDM 05-02-13 e-Working and Tax.
65. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the possibility that the abrupt reversion of help-to-buy terms to those which applied before the July stimulus package might create a distortion in the housing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29183/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Help To Buy (HTB) incentive, announced in Budget 2017 is designed to assist first-time buyers with the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new house or apartment to live in as their home. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
HTB is due to terminate on 31 December 2021, in line with the two year extension that I provided for in Finance Act 2019. The additional enhancement to the incentive, which applies from 23 July 2020 and is set out in the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020, is scheduled to terminate on 31 December 2020.
As the Deputy will appreciate, with a week to go, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on measures or issues that may or may not be addressed in the annual Budget.
67. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance his views on a matter raised in correspondence by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29203/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that I received the pre-Budget submission from the organisation concerned.
It was acknowledged by my officials who said that the contents would be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget.
However, as the Deputy may be aware, it is a long-standing practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
68. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost of amending the employment wage subsidy scheme to the end of December 2020, 1 January to 31 March 2021 and 1 April to end of December 2021 (details supplied). [29211/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe existing cost estimate for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is an additional €2.25 billion. This is comprised of €1.35bn until the end of 2020 and €0.9bn in 2021.
These costs are on the basis that the EWSS will support around 350,000 jobs into the beginning of 2021. Revenue have estimated that 360,000 workers were supported by the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) when it concluded at the end of August, so this expected level of coverage of EWSS is considered to be a reasonable assumption.
However, the cost of the EWSS will depend on the overall uptake of the scheme which will become fully apparent after the first claims have been processed in October 2020. I am advised by Revenue that, as of 1 October 2020, there were 37,581 employers registered for the EWSS which is considered a strong level of participation being over 83 per cent of all those who availed of the TWSS over the duration of that scheme.
It is emphasised that these cost projections are subject to review and for every additional 50,000 qualifying employments over the duration of the scheme, the cost is estimated to increase by €0.25 billion.
As the scheme is demand led I have been clear that a significant increase in the number of claims may require a policy review and re-evaluation of the terms of the scheme. This is why the enacting legislation (Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020) provides that adjustments may be made to certain elements of the scheme. Following monitoring and regular assessments of the EWSS, such adjustments may be made by the Minister for Finance via secondary legislation, having consulted with my colleagues the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The specific elements (set out in subsection 21 of the Act) are:
the end date of the measure;
the rate of subsidy and applicable income threshold per employee; and
the turnover test to determine qualifying employers.
The cost estimate for the EWSS as set out above is based on the scheme being implemented in its totality as currently configured.
As the Deputy was previously advised, it is not possible at the present time to provide a reliable estimate of the cost impact of alterations to individual elements of the scheme (such as the rates and qualifying criteria). However, once Revenue has received finalised EWSS returns relating to September, and there is a base to benchmark a cost estimate of the elements suggested by the Deputy, the question may be revisited.
69. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if the subsidies payable under the employment wage subsidy scheme can be made payable two weeks or one week in arrears, as opposed to one month in arrears as is the case at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29217/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the additional weekly or monthly staffing costs at the Office of the Revenue Commissioner that would result from making subsidies payable under the employment wage subsidy scheme two weeks or one week in arrears, as opposed to one month in arrears as is the case at present. [29218/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
The Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which has been operating since 1 July has replaced the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) which expired on 31 August 2020. The EWSS will remain in place until March 2021, thereby allowing employers to rely on the continuation of support over a longer period of 8 months while also ensuring such support is sustainable and affordable. It should be noted that while the TWSS was essentially an employee based subsidy which had to be passed on to the employees through the normal weekly / fortnightly /monthly payroll runs, the EWSS is an employer subsidy to help support viable firms and employers insofar as is possible.
As set out in the recently enacted Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020, the EWSS is based on the monthly PAYE/PRSI return to Revenue which is due on the 14th of the month following payment of wages. I am advised by Revenue that the operation of the EWSS is an automated solution, designed to operate at a system level with the monthly PAYE employer returns. The PAYE system is based on the employer reporting payroll runs as they occur. Revenue then posts the monthly return by the fifth day of the following month and the employer has until the 14th of the month to make any corrections to the return. The monthly return is finalised on the 14th .
The EWSS was designed to build on the PAYE monthly system and is a subsidy calculated on the number of qualifying employees. The intention was that Revenue will make the payment into the designated bank account as soon as practicable after that date, typically within 2 days. Thus, for September the intention was that Revenue would start to initiate bank transfers on 16 October.
However, in light of the concerns from some employers on the cash flow impact and acknowledging that this is an extremely challenging time for businesses and employers, on 7 October 2020, Revenue provided an update, by way of public announcement, that it has brought forward the date of payment for EWSS supports to eligible employers. EWSS payments in respect of September payroll submissions, which were due to be made as soon as possible after 14 October, will now be paid into the designated bank accounts of eligible employers by this Friday morning, 9 October.
Revenue also confirmed that all future monthly EWSS payments due to eligible employers will be made as soon as possible after the fifth day of the following month. The accelerated payment date aligns with the availability of the monthly ‘Employer PAYE Return Submission Statement’, which is made available to employers in Revenue’s Online Service, ROS, by the fifth of the following month.
Thus, with this in mind, Revenue further advise that it is extremely important that employers make timely and correct payroll submissions as they will now only have the opportunity to make any necessary corrections before the subsidy is paid instead of up until the payroll return filing date of the 14th of the month.
I welcome Revenue’s supportive approach to businesses by bringing the date of payment forward for EWSS supports to eligible employers during the current crisis which aims to ease any cashflow for those employers concerned. Over 37,900 employers are now registered with Revenue for EWSS. Furthermore, Revenue also confirmed that EWSS payments due in respect of September payroll submissions are currently being processed and it provisionally expects that payments of just under €250 million will be paid to 31,700 employers in respect of 335,000 employees. Additionally, Revenue’s PAYE system will credit monthly employer PRSI liabilities by approximately €60 million to account for the reduced rate of PRSI that applies to wages that are eligible for the EWSS.
It should be recognised that the IT system to support EWSS was developed in close co-operation with the payroll software providers and that any further changes to the operation of the system at this stage, will require significant software developments which could put at risk the smooth operation of the scheme which provides support to these 31,700 employers.
Finally, for these businesses who need further support, or who experience cash-flow difficulties arising for the timing of the subsidy payments, there are a number of options open to them – including State backed loans which may be repaid using EWSS funds as well as grants. Particular attention is drawn to the comprehensive package of business and employer supports that have been made available as part of the July Stimulus Plan - including the Credit Guarantee Scheme, the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, Sustaining Enterprise Fund, and the Covid-19 Business Loans Scheme.
71. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if payments made through pandemic unemployment payment can be taxable by law in view of the fact that it was introduced under section 202 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 which as an urgent needs payment is not liable for tax as clarified by section 13 of Finance Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29219/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a general rule, all social welfare payments are subject to taxation, unless specifically exempted. These exemptions in general may apply to means tested-payments.
As I have previously advised, the position is that payments made under the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) Scheme are an income support and share the characteristics of income. Other income earners in receipt of comparable “normal wages” are taxable on those wages. It is also the case that PRSI contributions are attributed to persons in receipt of the PUP. In the interest of equity, therefore, payments made under the PUP scheme are subject to income tax; the taxation position will also follow the general taxation rule for social welfare payments and, thus, while liable to income tax, the payments will be exempt from PRSI and the Universal Social Charge.
Finally, in relation to the Deputy's reference to urgent needs payments, the PUP may have been designated as such but only for social welfare and budgetary provision purposes.
72. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance the full year cost of abolishing the universal social charge for persons earning less than €90,000. [29258/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer of exempting all persons earning below €90,000 from the Universal Social Charge (USC) is €1.6 billion and €1.8 billion, respectively.
These projections have been generated by reference to estimated 2021 incomes, calculated on the basis of actual data for the year 2018, the latest year for which returns are available. They are adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim.
73. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status on the reopening of Rush Garda station, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28955/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government included for a ‘pilot programme of Garda Station re-openings’ throughout the country, including Rush Garda Station, Co. Dublin. OPW undertook technical surveys on the building and issued a report on the works required, indicative costs involved and proposed layout to An Garda Síochána (AGS).
Following receipt of AGS final agreement to proposed plans, the Office of Public Works arranged the undertaking of the works. These works were completed and the Station was handed over to An Garda Síochána on 31st March, 2020.
The operation of the Station is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
74. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of flood protection works along the River Dodder; and the additional delays caused as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. [29088/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraConstruction works on the River Dodder Flood Alleviation Scheme are on-going:
Lansdowne Road Railway Bridge to Ballsbridge is now substantially complete. Some outstanding works remain to the masonry wall at the RDS.
Works from Ballsbridge to Clonskeagh were suspended from Monday 30/3/20 until Monday 18/5/20 in line with national guidelines in respect of covid19 restrictions. The OPW works programme was delayed in May 2020 to allow for the installation of the necessary Covid-19 infrastructure and roll-out of works policies to allow for the necessary social distancing.
The current works programme will be programmed for completion of the flood defence works by April 2021. Environmental in-stream works as required by Inland Fisheries will be completed next May.
75. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 23 September 2020, if he is satisfied that the items are being stored in a manner that is appropriate and is not inadvertently damaging the items themselves. [29089/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith reference to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 23rd September 2020 which relates to fragmentary material associated with designated National Monuments in their care which is in storage to protect it from environmental erosion or physical damage, wilful or otherwise, the Office of Public Works is satisfied that the material it holds is being stored in a secure and appropriate manner and further considers that individual items are not being stored in a manner that would cause damage to them.
76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the list of OGP suppliers and the impact such a decision may have on the company will receive a response; if the most appropriate advice will be provided to the company in order to avoid potential job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29253/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has set out a number of commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to public procurement including a commitment to continue to support and train Irish indigenous SMEs so that they can compete for public procurement contracts in Ireland and abroad. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), an office within my Department, has been actively engaged in this area and will continue to enhance the significant measures and strategies already in place to support SME access to public procurement opportunities.
Public procurement is bound by EU and national law and requires that everything we do is bound by the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment of all bidders. These principles and rules are there to ensure that all bidders are treated exactly the same, in order to allow a level playing pitch for all businesses regardless of business size or location, to avoid favouritism and localism, and to combat corruption. Transparency also ensures that the competition phases and contract awards are all conducted in public, so that taxpayers, the media, elected representatives and those who participate in these competitions can see both the competitions progressing and the outcomes. Therefore all of the procurement processes that are run by the OGP, including the new Security Services Framework Agreement, which commenced on 14 September 2020, are open and transparent and observe these important principles.
The OGP made a very concerted effort to inform the marketplace in relation to the competition for this Framework Agreement and to encourage SME participation by dividing the Framework Agreement into geographical and financial lots. In line with best practice and in adherence with EU Public Procurement legislation, the tender process for the Provision of Security Services was advertised in a transparent and open manner. In November 2019 the market was advised via a prior information notice (PIN) on eTenders of the OGP's intention to run a competition for these services, according to our records the PIN was viewed by the company in question. As part of our market research a Request for Information survey was also issued in 2019 and the company in question submitted a response to the survey. On 7 March 2020 suitably qualified service providers were invited to tender. The deadline for tender responses was originally 15 April 2020 but this was extended to 1 May 2020 to facilitate Tenderers who may have been impacted as result of Covid-19. According to our records the tender invitation was accepted and the tender documents were viewed by the company in question on 17 March 2020.
As the deadline for tender responses has passed and the Framework Agreement has commenced, it is not possible for this company, or any other company for that matter, to be appointed to the Framework Agreement as that would breach the principle of equal treatment. You may wish to note that the Framework Agreement is for contracts individually with an estimated value of over €69,500 (excl. VAT) based on a two (2) year contract and is for a period of three years, with an option to extend for a further year.
77. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a river will be dredged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29189/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works is investigating the matter further and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy very shortly.
