Written Answers Nos. 556-575
559. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of second secretary general posts which have existed across Government Departments; the manner in which duties may be assigned or reassigned across second secretary generals; the extent of duties which may be reassigned without requiring primary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19984/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 4(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997 empowers the Secretary General of a Department, by way of a Framework of Assignments, to formally assign or reassign to other officers of their Department (or grade or grades of officer) responsibility for the performance of certain of his or her functions.
There is no Second Secretary post in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In relation to other Departments, the information would need to be sought directly from the relevant Ministers.
560. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20012/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department actively participates in internship programmes and currently accepts six interns on an annual basis. These internships are designed to provide the successful candidates with the opportunity to gain practical experience in a Government Department. The interns currently placed in my Department are paid €485.60 per week, which is the first point of the Clerical Officer Personal Pension Contribution (PPC) scale. There are currently no interns placed in the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is part of my Department, though it is the intention of the OGP to offer internships in the future.
The position in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below. There are currently no interns accepted by the National Shared Services Office, the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the National Lottery Regulator.
|
|
Interns accepted (annually) |
Interns currently placed |
Remuneration Details |
|
Office of Public Works |
Reviewed annually |
22* |
€471.20 per week |
|
Public Appointments Service |
3 |
3 |
€485.60 per week |
|
State Laboratory |
9 |
6 |
€480.79 per week |
*Includes one student placement paid at a rate of €122 per week
561. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of persons currently employed in his Department who have been seconded in from the public sector; the number of Departmental officials seconded where the monies are recouped from the body the person is seconded to or where the Department pays for the person with no recoupment from the other organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20066/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that currently there are 17 staff of my Department that are seconded to it from the Civil or Public Service and there are 18 staff of my Department that are seconded out to the Civil or Public Service. Of these 18 staff members, the salaries of 16 are paid directly by the host organisations. While the salaries of the remaining 2 staff members are still paid by my Department, this cost will be recouped in full from the host organisation and are of no overall cost to my Department. The Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, currently has no staff seconded to it from the Civil or Public Service and 2 staff members seconded out to the Civil or Public Service. The salaries for both these roles are paid by the host organisations.
562. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the funding that is still allocated in relation to the €83 million of funding ringfenced for Louth County Council flood defences in 2018 (details supplied); the amount that has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe evidence provided by the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme, launched in May 2018, supports the Government’s €1.3bn planned investment in flood relief through the National Development Plan, as part of Project Ireland 2040.
One key output of the CFRAM Programme was the Flood Risk Management Plans that contain proposed flood relief measures - informed by costs, benefits and environmental factors - to address the flood risk in each assessed community and nationwide.
To deliver the proposed measures set out in these Plans, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed.
The development of flood relief schemes, overseen by project Steering Groups with representatives meeting monthly from the OPW and Louth County Council, involves five distinct, sequential and related stages. The first stage involves assessing the flood risk and identifying options, followed by planning, detailed design, construction and maintenance. Public consultation forms part of each stage and project websites, available on floodinfo.ie provide updates on each scheme’s progress.
The Dundalk/Blackrock South and Ardee projects, that are being progressed simultaneously, were chosen by Louth County Council as the first project to be advanced in Louth. The tender for Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services was awarded in 2020 to a joint venture between Binnies (formerly Black and Veatch) and Nicholas O ‘Dwyer. The preliminary project cost estimate for these schemes is €80m and the proposed scheme will protect some 1,880 properties when completed and the scheme option is expected in the first half of 2023.
In relation to the Drogheda and Baltray schemes, the tender for Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services was awarded to RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd in September 2021. The preliminary project cost estimate for these schemes is €35m and the proposed scheme will protect some 450 properties when completed and the scheme option is expected at the end of 2023.
The OPW are meeting Louth County Council over the coming weeks to discuss how the Carlingford and Greenore scheme should be progressed and to progress the Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services tender brief.
The OPW, to ensure that the Council, as contracting authority has adequate resources to manage the design and construction of this scale of flood relief projects is funding five Council staff including, a Senior Executive Engineer, two Executive Engineers, an Administrative Officer and a Technician Grade 1.
Funding of just over €1.9 million has been provided to Louth County Council across these major schemes since 2019 (see details below).
Funding to Louth County Council for Major Flood Relief Schemes 2019 to 2021
|
Scheme |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
Dundalk & Ardee FRS |
186,130 |
279,164 |
1,169,190 |
1,634,484 |
|
Drogheda & Baltray FRS |
|
81,808 |
159,130 |
240,938 |
|
Carlingford & Greenore FRS |
|
18,655 |
25,060 |
43,715 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,919,137 |
As well as funding for major flood relief schemes, additional funding of €1.6m has been approved for Louth County Council under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme since 2009.
563. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the special leave with pay arrangements are to cease in June 2022 for nurses who contracted Covid-19 in the course of their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20161/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra565. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of special leave with pay for healthcare workers; if there are plans to extend the scheme beyond the end of June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20198/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra566. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider extending the special leave with pay scheme for front-line workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20202/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra571. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the special leave with pay payment that many health care workers are currently in receipt of is due to be terminated in June 2022; if he will consider extending this payment in order that health care workers do not have their normal sick pay days eroded, particularly given that many of them are still coping with the symptoms of long-Covid after having contracted Covid-19 in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20500/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra573. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out the Government position regarding frontline health workers who contracted Covid-19 and continue to be out of work due to long Covid; and if they will have their special leave with pay terminated in June 2022. [20691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra574. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if discussions are expected for healthcare workers suffering from long Covid that they contracted through their work in healthcare settings, that their special leave with pay will be extended until they are fit to return to work as it is causing a lot of stress and anxiety to these people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20830/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 565, 566, 571, 573 and 574 together.
Special leave with pay is currently used in lieu of sick leave for COVID-19 across the public service to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises. The arrangements relating to the application of special leave with pay for COVID-19 is a temporary measure which has been kept under regular review and has changed in a timely and responsive manner throughout the pandemic.
My officials are continuing to keep Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 for public service employees under regular review, taking into account the evolving circumstances and Government and public health advice.
While Special Leave with Pay is currently available for self-isolation and where someone has been diagnosed with COVID-19, for certain time periods, public service employees may access the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme thereafter. The arrangements for paid sick leave are available at appendix A.
As outlined, Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 applies across the Public Service, it is not unique to the Health sector. Special Leave with Pay was introduced at the outset of the pandemic to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises. Special Leave with Pay does not identify how or where an individual may have contracted Covid-19. The rehabilitation of employees is a matter for each individual sector.
Appendix A:
The Public Service Sick Leave Scheme provides for the payment of the following to staff during periods of absence from work due to illness or injury:
- A maximum of 92 days on full pay in a rolling one year period
- Followed by a maximum of 91 days on half pay in a rolling one year period
- Subject to a maximum of 183 days paid sick leave in a rolling four year period
- There is access to additional sick leave in certain circumstances as provided by the Critical Illness Protocol.
564. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the ongoing public sector discussions and timeline with regard to the reversal of the previous financial decision to reduce the daily rate of payment for former members of the public service appointed for their expertise and experience to public sector interview boards. [20197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following rates are payable to former civil and public servants who serve on Interview/Selection Boards in the Public Appointments Service and throughout the civil and pubic service.
Retired Civil Servants (on pension):
|
Grade |
Amount |
|
Secretary General |
€377 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
€295 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
€200 |
|
Principal |
€150 |
|
Assistant Principal |
€130 |
Former civil and public servants who serve on Interview/Selection Boards provide a valuable service in supporting selection processes. The need to review the current rates will be assessed in the context of emerging expenditure trends and recruitment needs across the public service.
568. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawndown and spent; if there has been a follow up or appraisal on the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2017, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has allocated a total of €25,000 to Mayo County Council. The allocation was an award from the Public Service Innovation Fund (PSIF) after a competitive process. The allocation was fully drawn down and spent in a single allocation in 2019.
The PSIF funding to Mayo County Council was for the development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) App to capture the impacts of climate change events on the ground and in real-time. The data is then used to inform climate adaptation planning and to target meaningful and cost-effective solutions. The app and the information on it can be find from the CARO WIRE App page here: www.caro.ie/knowledge-hub/climate-action-adaptation/wire-app.
569. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the former Garda station at Lissycasey, County Clare; and if the Office of Public Works have given consideration to this building being used to accommodate refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW is actively engaged with a range of Government departments and agencies as an integral part of a whole of Government response to supporting new arrivals from the Ukraine to the State.
A recent review of the property portfolio has been undertaken to establish the potential availability of accommodation for such use and the measures that would need to be taken to render them suitable for residential purposes. The OPW will continue to respond urgently and flexibly to requests for assistance from the relevant Departments managing the humanitarian situation, as it evolves.
In relation to Lissycasey Garda Station, specifically, this property was held by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW) under a lease dated March 1915 for a period of 99 years and was occupied by An Garda Síochána until they vacated in 2013.
The Commissioners, as tenant in occupation, have invoked their statutory right to purchase the freehold under the Landlord and Tenant Ground Rents Act 1967, as amended by the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1978 and the Landlord and Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 2019. It is anticipated that this legal process will be finalised in the coming weeks.
On completion of the legalities outlined above, the OPW would be happy to include the property for consideration by the Departments of Housing and Children as accommodation for Ukranian refugees. The property is currently in a poor state of repair and would require extensive refurbishment to meet current residential building standards.
570. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW has received an application from Cork County Council in respect of repair works to the sea wall at Roches Point, Cork; and if so, if the application is being expedited. [20491/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal flooding and coastal erosion issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. Where necessary, Local Authorities may put forward proposals to relevant central Government Departments, including the Office of Public Works, for funding of appropriate measures depending on the infrastructure or assets under threat.
Under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.opw.ie.
I can confirm an application has been submitted by Cork County Council under the Office of Public Works, Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project at the location mentioned in the Deputy’s question.
Assessment of the application is ongoing and the Council will be advised of the outcome when completed.
572. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff within his Department who availed of a secondment from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to their position within the Department. [20647/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that no staff of my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, were on a secondment of the nature set out in the question during the period specified.
575. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be provided to illuminate Nenagh Castle and its surrounding at night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20935/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of aesthetic and practical considerations involved in deciding whether floodlighting of National Monument sites in the care of the Office of Public Works is either feasible or appropriate. In general, OPW Heritage Services do not provide funding or install new floodlighting systems as a matter of policy.
Any decision to floodlight any heritage site will seek to strike the right balance between the concerns of sustainability and economic, social and environmental needs. In addition, the long-term maintenance of any installation and associated operational costs are significant factors.
Currently, there are no plans to install a floodlighting system at Nenagh Castle. However, the OPW is pleased to be working with Tipperary County Council in the development of a new 'Nenagh Historic Quarter' which will encompass a number of historic sites of interest including Nenagh Castle. The plan is at concept stage at the moment. Public lighting and lighting of the public realm will be considered in the context of the development of this plan.
