Catherine Connolly
Ceist:272. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans for a review of the Arterial Drainage Act 1945; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislative Reviews
Ceisteanna (272)
Freagraí scríofa
The Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 made provision for the drainage and improvement of land through the delivery by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland of arterial drainage schemes, for entire catchments.
Increasing urbanisation led in 1995 to an amendment of the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, that permits the Office of Public Works (OPW) to implement localised flood relief schemes to provide flood protection for cities, towns and villages. The launch of the Flood Risk Management Plans in May 2018, following the largest ever study of flood risk in Ireland, identified that Government investment is feasible to protect 95% of properties assessed to be at risk from significant flooding. The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of some 150 additional flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in threatened communities from river and coastal flood risk. The legislative basis for these works includes the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945 and the Arterial Drainage (Amendment) Act, 1995.
There have been a number of further amendments to the Principal Act that provide the statutory framework to ensure work on flood risk management by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland meets the European environmental assessment and other requirements. The most recent amendments were made in 2019 by way of S.I. 472/19, for the purposes of transposing EU Directive 2014/52/EU (Environmental Impact Assessment).
The OPW has a statutory duty to maintain Arterial Drainage Schemes carried out under the Arterial Drainage Acts. These maintenance works are carried out in accordance with relevant legislation, through a range of environmental assessments, including Strategic Environmental Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Ecological Assessments, supported by widespread stakeholder consultation. Further information on environmental activities and associated environmental assessments and studies are available on the OPW website.
To minimise potential ecological impacts, the OPW undertakes these statutory maintenance works having regard to a set of procedures called “Environmental Guidance: Drainage Maintenance and Construction”. This guidance was developed in consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland.
The OPW continually monitors the legislative basis for its overall management of Ireland's flood risk, including working with all statutory bodies and with the European Commission.
Flexible Work Practices
Ceisteanna (273)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:273. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost or saving to the Exchequer of increasing the Programme for Government commitment of 20% home and remote working for public sector employers, colleges and other public bodies to 30%, 40% and 50%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11477/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In line with Government commitments, the Civil Service will demonstrate leadership in moving proactively to a blended working environment with a view to achieving at least 20% remote working initially.
My Department is currently focussing on achieving at least 20% remote working, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, and any cost associated with moving towards 30%, 40% and/or 50% is not under consideration at this time.
Protected Disclosures
Ceisteanna (274)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:274. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the appropriate reporting channels for protected disclosures related to political parties; if no such provision exists, the steps he is taking to address this matter in the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022; if the proposed office of protected disclosures would be the relevant reporting authority for such protected disclosures once established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring in her question to protected disclosures concerning political parties by members of said parties.
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 protects workers from penalisation if they report concerns about wrongdoing or potential wrongdoing in the workplace. A worker is defined in section 3 of the Act as being an individual who is or was: an employee; a contractor; an agency worker; a work-experience student (pursuant to a training course); or a trainee. A person in a work-based relationship with a political party would have to be a "worker" within the meaning of the Act to be entitled to its protections.
The Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022 provides, at section 4, for a significant expansion of the definition of a "worker" to include individuals who are: shareholders; members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of an undertaking; and volunteers as well as individuals who acquire information on a relevant wrongdoing during a recruitment process or any other pre-contractual negotiation. This expansion of the definition of "worker" - in particular by virtue of the inclusion of volunteers - means that members of political parties who report concerns of wrongdoing that come to their attention in the context of their activities with the party concerned should be protected by the Act when the Bill is enacted.
In relation to how a protected disclosure can be made, the legislation, once amended by the Bill, will provide that a worker can report either internally to their employer; or externally to a prescribed person or the Protected Disclosures Commissioner; or, subject to more stringent criteria, make a public disclosure. Once the Bill is enacted, the Protected Disclosures Commissioner will be able to receive reports of any relevant wrongdoing within the scope of the legislation and will transmit the report to the most appropriate person to follow up on the alleged wrongdoing or, if no such person can be identified follow-up directly on the report. Workers who wish to report externally can also report directly to a relevant prescribed person - for example, a concern about health and safety can be reported directly to the Health and Safety Authority.
Office of Public Works
Ceisteanna (275)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:275. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the OPW’s investigation into the Ballincollig Weir. [11527/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ballincollig Weir is on the River Lee and is adjacent to the Regional Park in Ballincollig. The original weir was built in the 1790’s in order to divert water to the Gunpowder Mills, but appears to have had work carried out in more modern times. The weir had apparently been in disrepair for many years before a breach occurred in December 2014, which has left the weir in extremely poor condition.
Since the City Boundary change in June 2019, ownership of the Ballincollig Regional Park and the weir is now under the remit of Cork City Council. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the flood relief scheme from the weir, the OPW has agreed to assess the feasibility of incorporating any remedial works to the weir into the construction contract and budget for the proposed Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme (LLFRS).
The nature of any such remedial works will be subject to an assessment of planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations, which the Lower Lee FRS Steering Group has asked the Flood Relief Scheme design consultants, contracted by the OPW, to review. The final scope of this review is currently being finalised by the OPW and Cork City Council.
Question No. 276 answered with Question No. 92.
Heritage Sites
Ceisteanna (277)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:277. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the future use planned for St. Laurence’s Gate, Drogheda in view of his recent visit to Drogheda and constructive engagement on the matter; if costings and feasibility reports have been completed in respect of opening the landmark for public tours and so on to further encourage tourism into the town centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11558/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Office of Public Works has facilitated limited, controlled access to St Laurence Gate in recent years, for community events such as the All-Ireland Fleadh, Heritage Week and the Drogheda Arts Festival.
On these occasions, access was strictly by ticket only which had to be booked in advance due to the physical constraints within the monument and the significant health and safety challenges presented by the physical nature of the monument itself. Facilitating this access placed a considerable demand on resources, as Office of Public Works staff provided the stewarding within the monument on all of those occasions.
St. Laurence’s Gate has many challenges which makes it very difficult for general public access on a more regular basis but OPW is happy to work with local stakeholders to ensure occasional access for visitors as part of specific festivals or community events locally.
I can confirm that there is ongoing monitoring of potential structural issues within the monument and as with all National Monuments in the State care, OPW will continue to carry out routine maintenance on this monument in line with legislative obligations.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (278)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:278. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the policy instructions or policy documents that he has brought to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since coming into office [11604/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have brought no policy instructions or policy documents to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since becoming Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (279, 280, 281, 288)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects further reform to play a meaningful role in ensuring prudent expenditure and good value for money in the course of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11616/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he expects the Exchequer to benefit from public expenditure and reform strategies in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which all Departments and bodies under their aegis in terms of public expenditure and reform continue to meet the guidelines set down by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11618/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that public spending continues to proceed as anticipated notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11625/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280, 281 and 288 together.
Under the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to continuing reform and improvement of the budgetary process, including an enhanced focus across Government on issues of performance and national well-being. This will build on reforms introduced over the last number of years, including Performance Budgeting and Equality Budgeting, which seek to enhance Ireland’s budgetary framework and ensure that expenditure is managed in an efficient and effective way and are focussed on providing the evidence base to support the efficient and effective delivery of services that have a positive impact on people's lives. This work is being further enhanced with the development of the Wellbeing Framework for Ireland that can inform efforts to improve the impact of public policy.
The ‘whole-of-year’ budgetary framework introduced means an ongoing consideration of budgetary priorities throughout the year, rather than focusing budget discussions only around Budget Day and seeks to support enhanced transparency and engagement in relation to budgetary issues. An important element of this is the publication at key points in the year of a range of documents including the Public Service Performance Report, the Summer Economic Statement, the Mid-Year Expenditure Report, and the Spending Review papers.
Given the significant level of resources to be provided under the medium term expenditure strategy, an ongoing and enhanced focus on value for money is required to ensure the benefit to the Exchequer and citizens. It is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister to manage expenditure within their respective allocations and careful monitoring of spending against profile and of progress on programmes and projects is required. My Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices regarding this. Spending figures are compiled monthly and published in the Fiscal Monitor to report on spend against profile for all Ministerial Vote Groups and the main spending Departments will continue to report to Government quarterly in 2022 on spending within their areas.
Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the public finances. Some €30 billion in direct expenditure supports has been made available across 2020 and 2021 with provision for up to €7 billion in Covid-19 related spending under Budget 2022. This funding allowed Government to introduce a wide range of support schemes and measures in response to the impacts of the pandemic and extend these as necessary. Budget 2022 was prepared in line with the fiscal framework set out in the Summer Economic Statement, which allows us to meet core objectives set out in the Programme for Government of investing in our economy and society to deliver improvements in infrastructure and public services, while reducing the deficit in order to underpin the sustainability of the public finances as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 279.
Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 279.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (282)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which reforms throughout the public sector remain in place to ensure accountability, collective responsibility and good value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11619/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The ongoing reform of our public services has been an integral part of my Department's function since its establishment in 2011. In view of the significant and pervasive impacts experienced as a consequence of the Covid19 crisis, the Government's programme of reform and modernisation is particularly relevant as we seek to return our economy and society to full recovery.
In accordance with my Department's Statement of Strategy, officials are currently preparing the next phase of public service reform (to succeed Our Public Service 2020) which will incorporate priorities that were articulated in the recently published Public Service Innovation Strategy, Making Innovation Real in addition to aligning with ambitions set out in the programme of renewal for the Civil Service (CSR 2030 and its recently published three year Action Plan (CSR2024), as they relate to the wider Public Service. Additionally, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer in my Department is due to publish a new Public Service Digital Strategy very soon, and this will clearly articulate our ambitions around further embedding digitisation and the increased delivery of digital services to the public.
In order to ensure coherence and support for the reform efforts across the wider Public Service we have established the Public Service Management Group and Public Service Leadership Board, which draw on senior management from right across the Public Service. These senior level groups oversee the delivery of our reform programme for the public service.
As regards the drive for more value for money all public organisations are required to treat public funds with care, and to ensure that the best possible value for money is obtained whenever public money is being spent or invested. This is in accordance with the Public Spending Code. Moreover, Action 5 of Our Public Service 2020 emphasises the need to ensure value-for-money principles are adhered to across the Public Service.
As part of this broader approach to ensuring value for money, the introduction of shared services and centralised procurement in earlier phases of reform continue to be embedded in the delivery of services to clients and customers. My Department continues to actively explore new areas and mechanisms to further embed reforms and efficiencies that will enhance the cost-effectiveness of public services; for example, through greater use of opportunities presented through digitisation, intelligent automation, innovation and the implementation of new ways of working and service design.
The Deputy may also wish to note that by agreeing to the Public Service Pay Agreement ‘Building Momentum’, all parties involved have committed to the ongoing reform and development of public services to meet the changing needs of citizens, communities, businesses and the staff who deliver our public services.
Project Ireland 2040
Ceisteanna (283)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects the various targets in Project Ireland 2040 to be achieved on time and within budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11620/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The revised National Development Plan (NDP) was published in October 2021, committing to an overall investment of €165 billion in the years from 2021 to 2030.
The majority of public investment projects are delivered on budget and on time and there is a high level of professionalism across the sectors.
Reforms are ongoing in governance and broader capability to help ensure successful delivery. There are a number of ongoing measures which seek to further develop the capacity of the public sector over the coming period and ensure the effective delivery of the NDP. These include:
- the establishment of the Commercial Skills Academy in the Office of Government Procurement;
- expansion of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES);
- a range of reforms in the planning area including the establishment of a new Division of the High Court dealing with planning and environmental issues;
- the Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board which oversees the delivery of the NDP has recently been extended to include five external members bringing additional expert knowledge, independent and regional perspectives, and an enhanced challenge function.
Two elements have been introduced to strengthen the assurance process for major public investment projects to provide more structured scrutiny.
These two elements are:
- The introduction of an independent external review of Exchequer-fund projects over €100m at two major decision gates in the project lifecycle and
- The Major Projects Advisory Group- as a prerequisite to seeking Government approval for projects at the relevant decision gates, project proposals and external reviews are now scrutinised by the Advisory Group in advance of the decision to proceed.
These reforms, alongside ongoing engagement with the construction sector regarding capacity and innovation, will help ensure the effective delivery of Project Ireland 2040 on time and on budget.
For an extensive list of projects that are currently planned as part of Project Ireland 2040, the Deputy might consider the publications that were published alongside the NDP in October 2021, particularly the updated Investment tracker which is available at gov.ie/2040. The tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (284)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if any specific issues have been brought to his attention which indicate a lack of compliance with the criteria set down by his Department in terms of procurement and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11621/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules/guidelines to ensure compliance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment which are key the State achieving maximum value for money through competitive procedures. Responsibility for ensuring compliance with all national and EU procurement rules and procedures rests with contracting or purchasing Departments and public agencies. All Irish public bodies are obliged to spend or invest public funds with care, and to ensure that optimal value for money is obtained in accordance with the Public Spending Code which sets out the rules and procedures to ensure that these standards are upheld across the Irish public service.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), an office within my Department, has responsibility for the National Public Procurement Policy Framework (NPPPF) which sets the overarching policy framework for public procurement in Ireland. The NPPPF consists of 5 strands: Legislation (Directives, Regulations); Policy (Circulars, etc.); General Guidelines; the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF); and detailed technical guidelines, template documents and information notes that issue periodically. This framework enables a consistent approach to public procurement across the public sector to deliver value for money for the taxpayer.
Each individual Accounting Officer is responsible for the monitoring of performance of public contracts under his or her remit. Each must ensure that the public procurement function is discharged in line with the standard accounting practices, procurement rules and procedures in an efficient and effective manner to deliver maximum value for money for the taxpayer. Under Circular 40/2002, all procurement contracts awarded without a competitive process and which exceed €25,000 in value (exclusive of VAT), should be reviewed within the Department, preferably by the Internal Audit Unit or alternatively by an appropriate senior officer who is not part of the procurement process. A report of such contracts is submitted to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General each year and copied to the Office of Government Procurement.
The Interim Procurement Reform Board (the Board) was appointed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in 2017 to provide oversight to the delivery of the procurement reform programme. In July 2021, officials from HSE Procurement presented to the interim Procurement Reform Board on the HSE’s self-assessment of procurement performance in 2020. While the Board welcomed the provision of the assessment, they raised concerns with the figures presented and the Board’s Chairman subsequently wrote to me to advise me of the situation. As this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health, but has expenditure implications which are of concern to me, I corresponded with him on it. In his response, the Minister for Health advised that he has engaged with the HSE in relation to these matters and on the measures being put in place by it to improve procurement performance. My officials continue to engage with the HSE on the arrangements, actions and targets being undertaken to progress its procurement performance. I have also asked that the interim Procurement Reform Board remain appraised on this matter.
To assist Contracting Authorities in the conduct of procurement procedures, the OGP has published extensive guidance material for contracting authorities including the Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services (the Guidelines) available at: gov.ie/en/publication/c23f5-public-procurement-guidelines-for-goods-and-services/ and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) available at: constructionprocurement.gov.ie/. The Guidelines outline the various stages of the procurement process from specification, through to selection and award stages, and through to the contract management stage. They provide guidance on ensuring the specifications fully and accurately capture the requirement of the goods or services and identify the risks of poor specification and the challenges that this can cause Contracting Authorities when subsequently managing their contracts.
The OGP and its sector partners in Health, Education, Local Government and Defence have a range of centralised procurement frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems in place in respect of sixteen categories of common goods and services to minimise administration and to deliver enhanced service levels and value for money promptly and efficiently. Contracting authorities are encouraged to check the Office of Government Procurement website for existing or planned procurement arrangements which may meet their needs.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (285)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which his Department has received communication from other Departments and bodies or agencies under their aegis seeking expenditure on such issues as upgrade of motorways, new roadworks, investment in water and other items of infrastructural importance; if he expects to be in a position to respond favourably to such requests in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11622/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government has committed to investing €165 billion in capital programmes and projects through the National Development Plan (NDP) published last year. In 2022, almost €12 billion is available to spend on vital infrastructure in areas such as housing, transport, education, enterprise, sport and climate action and our annual capital investment as a percentage of national income is among the largest in the EU. As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. My Department is also responsible for maintaining the national frameworks within which Departments operate to ensure appropriate accounting for and value for money in public expenditure is achieved. The responsibility for identifying, managing and delivering the individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the NDP, rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case.
The NDP sets out programme priorities across the range of investment sectors that the Deputy has identified including public transport, roads investment and water services, and a range of other high priority investment programmes. In addition, the Government's Investment Projects and Programmes Tracker provides further detail on the progress of key infrastructure schemes.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (286)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the impact of Brexit on the public and private sectors with a view to addressing any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department continues to monitor and respond to the impact of Brexit, in particular the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Successive budgets since the UK referendum on EU membership have seen around €1 billion committed to preparing for Brexit, including supports to business and the agri-food sector, as well as for the infrastructure required at our ports and airports to maintain the flow of east west trade.
At an EU level, the Union’s response includes the Brexit Adjustment Reserve which has a value of €5.47 billion. The objective of the Reserve is to provide support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
I am pleased to say that Ireland has been allocated €1.165 billion in current prices from the Reserve. This represents 21% of the total value of the Reserve, the largest allocation for any Member State. Areas for support are likely to include enterprise supports; measures to support fisheries and coastal communities; targeted supports for the agri-food sector; reskilling and retraining; and checks and controls at our ports and airports.
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (287)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the ongoing progress in respect of FEMPI restoration; when the process is likely to be completed in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11624/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016 – 2018, with the remainder of the process largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 (PSSA). This will continue under ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021 – 2022’.
At this point, salary rates up to €150,000, which account for 99% of the public service, have been fully restored. Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 sets out that public servants with annualised basic salaries above €150,000 should be restored no later than 1 July 2022.
Each year, under the terms of the FEMPI Act 2013, I am obliged to carry out an annual review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the FEMPI Acts, having regard to the overall economic conditions in the State and national competitiveness. In this annual review, I am also to consider whether or not any of the provision of the relevant Acts continue to be necessary having regard to the purposes of those Acts, the revenues of the State and State commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions.
The 2021 annual review, a written report of which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 25th June 2021, recommended the continuation of the unwinding of the FEMPI measures in line with the provisions enacted in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017.
Question No. 288 answered with Question No. 279.
Departmental Priorities
Ceisteanna (289)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:289. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding evaluating and managing the environmental, economic and social impacts of procurement strategies within the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11759/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, developing and implementing a sustainable procurement policy and tasking the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to update all procurement frameworks in line with green procurement practice.
Strategic spending can play a key role in responding to societal, environmental and economic challenges. The OGP established the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, bringing together officials from policy Departments with procurement practitioners to share best practice in relevant fields and to facilitate the process of incorporating social and environmental considerations into public procurement.
Circular 20/2019 requires public bodies to incorporate relevant green procurement measures into their planning and reporting cycles. Defined, quantifiable, verifiable, and measurable criteria for a number of products and services have been developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2021, for the first time, government departments reported to the EPA on the proportion of their procurement spend in 2020 that was green. The EPA is analysing this information and will report later this year.
The appropriateness of including environmental, economic and social considerations is a decision for each contracting authority and should be examined on a contract-by-contract basis. Each contract should be effectively managed and monitored by the individual contracting authority. The National Public Procurement Guidelines provide public bodies with steps to follow when managing contracts. In addition, the OGP has been promoting the use of strategic procurement to be applied in line with each organisation’s own strategic goals and wider government objectives. Through its Information Note on the subject, the OGP has advocated for the completion of a corporate procurement plan (CPP). CPPs can assist contracting authorities to align their procurement functions with wider environmental, economic and social considerations. The OGP recommends that public bodies consider the incorporation of wider strategic considerations from the outset and have flagged the planning phase as the most critical stage.
The OGP and its partner central purchasing bodies (CPBs) have been reviewing all central purchasing arrangements to identify opportunities to include green considerations. 165 central arrangements had been updated to include specific green criteria by the end of 2021. A further 41 arrangements will be updated to include green criteria this year and next.
Finally, my officials present at a range of public sector events and seminars to promote green and social public procurement and will continue to promote utilising the State’s purchasing power to deliver on our commitments to sustainable development and social inclusion. Environmental, economic and social procurement considerations are also discussed with business representative bodies at the SME Advisory Group meeting which is chaired by my colleague, Minister of State Ossian Smyth. Following consultation with SME representatives, the OGP developed a suite of policy measures aimed at assisting SMEs to access public procurement opportunities (implemented through Circular 10/2014).
Together with Minister Smyth and the OGP, I will continue to monitor and enhance the significant measures and strategies in place to support the inclusion of environmental, economic and social considerations in public procurement opportunities.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (290)
Noel Grealish
Ceist:290. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); when the next round of sports capital grant will be open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10849/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
Details of all allocations made under the SCEP since 2002 are published at gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/. Regarding the club referenced by the Deputy, my Department’s records show that this club has not applied for nor received Sports Capital and Equipment Programme funding since the 2002 round.
The latest set of allocations under the Programme with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022. All unsuccessful applicants will have the opportunity to appeal the Department's decision and full details of the appeals procedure will issue to these organisations shortly. When the appeals process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken and any recommendations contained therein will be included in the terms and conditions of the next round. The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Ceisteanna (291)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the review of the organisational and governance structures of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including the selection and election process to the Board as outlined in the Programme for Government [10891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government commits to undertaking a review of the organisational and governance structures of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including the selection/election process to the Board. The overall objective of this review is to ensure that An tÚdarás has access to the relevant and appropriate expertise, skills and community input required in order for the board to efficiently and effectively support the organisation in discharging its functions, to the ultimate benefit of the Gaeltacht communities it serves.
In that regard, the Deputy will be pleased to learn that I announced last week the commencement of a public consultation process in relation to the selection/election process to the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
This objective of this public consultation process is to provide an opportunity to individuals and other interested parties to share their opinions and suggestions in writing with my Department between now and Friday the 25th of March in relation to the matter, using the questionnaire published on gov.ie. Submissions received will be published on my Department's website in due course.
In parallel with this consultation process, my Department will continue to engage as appropriate with the Office of Public Procurement in order to advance the appointment of a consultant to undertake the overall review and make recommendations to the Department on the matter in due course. Submissions received on foot of the public consultation process will be taken into account as part of the review. By way of background information in relation to this aspect in particular, the Deputy may be aware that my Department has been working with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) since the middle of last year in order to progress the appointment of consultants to undertake the review. Tenders have been sought from the market on two separate occasions since last summer but none were received on either occasion. In order to expedite matters, the public consultation element of the process commenced last week, while further efforts will be made to engage a consultancy as outlined.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (292, 293)
Colm Burke
Ceist:292. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the sports capital appeals process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10964/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Burke
Ceist:293. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding has been ring-fenced for successful appeals to the Sports Capital Programme decision; the amount of funding which has been set aside for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10965/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the Programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021. By this date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures were finalised and published prior to assessment work commencing and all applications were assessed in accordance with these procedures. All of the improvements which were introduced for recent rounds of the Programme to make the process as user-friendly as possible were maintained for this round. This included giving applicants a second chance to submit corrected documentation. The full scoring system and assessment procedures can be viewed on the sportscapitalprogramme.ie website.
Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022.
My Department will soon be in contact with all unsuccessful applicants. All of these organisations will have the opportunity to appeal the Department's decision and full details of the appeals procedure will issue shortly. Of the record €150 million made available for capital projects, €6 million has been kept in reserve for any successful appeals lodged by unsuccessful applicants.
When the appeals process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken and any recommendations contained therein will be included in the terms and conditions of the next round. The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete.