Written Answers Nos. 101-120
101. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost of introducing a living wage of €12.90 per hour for all workers in the Civil Service; the estimated cost of introducing a living wage of €12.90 per hour for all workers in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21433/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important that Ireland’s statutory National Minimum Wage and the Living Wage concept are not confused. The Living Wage has no legislative basis and is therefore not a statutory entitlement. It currently stands at €12.90 per hour according to the Living Wage Technical Group document 2021.
The National Minimum Wage is a statutory entitlement and has a legislative basis. The Low Pay Commission annually assesses the appropriate level of the National Minimum Wage. The current national minimum hourly rate of pay, since 1 January 2022, is €10.50 per hour, as set out in the National Minimum Wage Order 2021. All civil servants are paid at rates above the National Minimum Wage.
The suggested Living Wage at €12.90 per hour based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of €24,905.50. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that only 0.1% of staff (FTE) in the civil service are on salary points less than the suggested Living Wage.
Those currently on an annual salary of less than €24,905.50 may be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift work or atypical working hours. In addition, these salary scales progress to the suggested Living Wage and above through normal incremental progression.
The current public service agreement is Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022. This Agreement is weighted towards those at lower incomes with headline increases of approximately 5% for the lowest paid public servants. The Agreement provides for the following pay adjustments:
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2021.
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.
These groups will also benefit more from other measures in the Agreement including the overtime rates and premia payment adjustments.
The public service information sought in this request would require detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This data is not held in my Department.
102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the processes that are in place for the recruitment of persons to positions of Secretary General in Departments: if he will clarify whether or not the State increases salary proposals if applications for such posts are not forthcoming as a means by which to generate more interest in the posts being advertised. [21254/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, the Secretary General of a Department is appointed by the Government on the recommendation of the relevant Minister.
The selection process for appointment to the position of Secretary General is generally undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) with the assistance of the Public Appointments Service (PAS). As the Deputy is aware, TLAC is an independent body and its role is to support Government in its consideration of appointments to the most senior levels in the Civil Service. TLAC operates under the Code of Practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
On conclusion of the TLAC process, TLAC may recommend to the relevant Minister up to 3 names (in alphabetical order) who, in its judgement, meet the required standard for appointment as Secretary General.
A small number of top level positions have traditionally been excluded from the TLAC process on account of the uniqueness and importance of these strategic posts.
As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have statutory responsibility under the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 for the remuneration and grading structure of civil servants, including for Secretary General posts.
The current salaries for Secretary General posts are set out in DPER Circular 04/2022 - Application of 1st February 2022 pay adjustments. The terms and conditions are determined in line with public service pay policy, with regard to the duties and responsibilities of the posts, and with a view to attracting and retaining suitably qualified candidates for these senior leadership positions.
The Deputy will be aware that I have, with the approval of Government, this month established an Independent Review Panel tasked to evaluate and make recommendations on current pay determination and recruitment processes for senior public service posts including Secretaries General.
Further information on the various stages of the TLAC selection process, the referenced Pay Circular and details of the Independent Review Panel and its Terms of Reference are available on the Government website.
103. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if public expenditure was within profile during the first quarter of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the first quarter of 2022 net voted expenditure amounted to €15.2 billion and was €0.4 billion or 2.3% below profile. This variance was largely driven by capital expenditure. Net current expenditure was €63 million or 0.4% below profile, while capital expenditure was €302 million or 21% below profile.
Regarding current expenditure, Health expenditure at €4.9 billion was 0.6 % or €30 million below profile. Social protection net expenditure at €3.3 billion was €43 million or 1.3% over profile, similarly education expenditure was €37 million or 1.7% above profile.
On the capital side the Department of Housing is below profile by €101 million or 41.0%. This is largely due to capital carryover being utilised on local authority housing and the Capital Advance Leasing Facility running behind profile because of fewer than expected claims being submitted from the local authorities to the Department of Housing in March. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications are also running behind profile by €167 million or 34.3%, largely due to the timing of the payment for the Energy Credit for domestic accounts to ESB Networks.
104. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there have been any new developments in the implementation of flood defence construction works in the upper Lee and Sullane area in view that plans have been in place for some time now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork County Council are engaging to progress a preferred option for a viable flood relief scheme for Baile Mhuirne/Baile Mhic Íre that will protect 90 properties from significant risk from flooding.
The OPW is aware of the ‘high’ water quality status of the respective water body in the area around Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera. The Project Team is currently assessing the potential impact of any proposed flood relief measures in that respect, to ensure that suitable mitigation requirements are implemented, and appropriate processes to comply with statutory provisions are followed.
When these stages are successfully completed and, provided the proposals are broadly accepted at Public Exhibition by the public and the stakeholders, the scheme will proceed to detailed design stage and formal Confirmation by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, following which construction can commence.
The Ballymakeera/Ballyvourney Flood Relief Scheme is being funded from €1.3 billion for flood risk management allocated by the Government under the National Development Plan to 2030.
In the interim, Cork County Council has been approved funding under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This includes approval of €10,000 in February 2012 for the removal of overhanging growth and other obstacles to the Sullane River 3.4 miles from Ballyvourney bridge. An additional €187,248 was approved in October 2018 for the provision of temporary flood defence measures, including sand bag defence structure, increasing the ground level with ramps and installation of two non return valves. These interim works had been delayed due to Part 8 Planning, which has now been awarded. Cork County Council issued an invitation to tender on 1st April 2022 to procure a consultant for detailed design. The closing date for submission of tenders is Friday, 29th April 2022. Once received, tenders will be assessed and a Consultant appointed accordingly.
105. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on public expenditure in the first quarter of 2022; the way that it compares with the first quarter of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall expenditure for the first quarter of 2022 is €18.9 billion. This is some €607 million (-3.1%) below the same period in 2021.
Gross voted current expenditure of €17,746 million was €820 million or 4.4% below the same period last year. This largely reflects reduced expenditure in the Department of Social Protection, which was €2 billion lower than Q1 2021 due to lower expenditure on Covid schemes, as a result of the strong recovery in the economy and in the numbers in employment. At the end of March this year over 44,000 people were in receipt of the PUP compared to over 445,000 at the end of March last year.
This reduction is partially offset by increased expenditure across a number of departments including the Department of Education, which is €256 million ahead of the same period in 2021—reflecting school closures in 2021—and the Department of Health which is €597 million ahead of Q1 2021.
Gross Voted Capital Expenditure of €1,155 million is €213 million (22.6%) ahead on the same period in 2021. This reflects the closure of large parts of the construction section in quarter 1 2021 and the expenditure in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on the one-off Energy Credit in 2022.
106. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projected funding allocation needed to support Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland in 2022; and the amount of money allocated for these purposes to date. [21255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt this stage it is difficult to provide an accurate estimate as to the cost of supporting refugees arriving from Ukraine as the range of potential arrivals is large and the accommodation solutions, both for larger numbers of arrivals and for the medium to long term, will have a significant impact on the overall costs.
Work to better understand the potential expenditure requirement is ongoing within my Department. There is a whole-of-Government response in place to co-ordinate on the impacts from the conflict. Forecasting and modelling being developed in that context will inform expenditure impacts on an ongoing basis, along with reporting of actual spend incurred by Departments over the coming months.
For 2022, €3.9 billion of the funding made available to continue our response to Covid-19 remained held in reserve following the Revised Estimates. Taking into account measures agreed resulting from the re-introduction of public health restrictions in December, in addition to the expenditure package agreed to support households with higher energy costs, approximately €1½ billion of this reserve is, in effect, committed.
Where funding requirements to meet the costs of the humanitarian provision for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland cannot be met by Departments through re-prioritisation of existing resources, it is intended that where allocations are required they would in the first instance be met from the remaining €2½ billion reserve, without requiring an increase in the Government Expenditure Ceiling. However, it should be noted that there may be further demands on this reserve for Covid related spending, depending on position with the virus later in the year.
For 2023, in the recently published Stability Programme Update, an amount of €3 billion has been included to meet costs of providing supports for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland.
The scale of funding needed, for 2022 and future years, will be considered further on an ongoing basis, including in the context of the Summer Economic Statement.
107. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount he has allocated in expenditure measures to ease cost of living pressures since and including budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant resources have been allocated by Government in Budget 2022 and subsequently to help households that may be experiencing difficulties as a result of rising prices.
In Budget 2022, a range of measures to support citizens were introduced with a value of almost €1.2 billion. This included a Social Protection package of an additional €558 million which, among other measures, provided for increases of €5 per week in weekly Social Welfare payments and of €5 in the weekly rate of fuel allowance.
Budget 2022 also saw the introduction of a range of other measures which will provide assistance with costs of living, including:
- Youth travel cards to provide discounted fares for people aged 19-23;
- A range of affordability measures in health including a lowering of the threshold for the Drug Payment Scheme, free GP care for children aged six and seven, and measures to reduce the financial burden of hospital charges for children under 18;
- A new funding stream that will be open to Childcare providers in return for a commitment that parents’ fees will not increase;
- Additional support for students under the Student Grant Scheme; and
- Further investment in social housing.
Since Budget 2022 in October however, consumer price inflation has increased, with higher energy prices and supply chain issues being reflected in rising costs for households and businesses. Government is acutely aware of the difficulties this poses for some households, particularly those at lower incomes. In recognition of this, a number of expenditure measures have been introduced since Budget day, targeted at mitigating the impact of these pressures.
In February a package of over half a billion euro was announced, designed to provide timely assistance with the immediate challenges that households are facing with energy costs. The main measure under this package is the Energy Credit of €200, inclusive of VAT, per domestic account with further targeted measures in respect of fuel allowance, school transport, drugs payment scheme, public transport and the Working Family Payment also prioritised.
Subsequent to this, in light of the continued high fuel prices, an emergency support measure for licensed hauliers was introduced which will provide a payment of €100 per week for every heavy goods vehicle listed on a road haulage operator’s licence at a cost of €18 million for eight weeks. Most recently, at the beginning of this month a further Fuel Allowance lump sum payment of €100 was announced at an estimated €37 million cost. These bring the total post-Budget 2022 expenditure measures to ease pressures arising from inflation to almost €0.6 billion.
108. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to change the recruitment processes for senior public service posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20519/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have statutory responsibility under the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956 for the remuneration and grading structure of civil servants, including for Secretary General posts.
The selection process for appointment to the positions of Assistant Secretary General and above is generally undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) with the assistance of the Public Appointments Service (PAS). As the Deputy is aware, TLAC is an independent body and its role is to support Government in its consideration of appointments to the most senior levels in the Civil Service. TLAC operates under the Code of Practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.
The Deputy will be aware that I have, with the approval of Government, established in recent weeks an Independent Review Panel, chaired by Dr. Dónal De Buitléir, to examine these matters. Specifically, the Review Panel will assess and make recommendations on current recruitment and pay determination processes for senior public service posts.
I anticipate that the Review Panel will be in a position to report their findings later this year.
Further information on the membership and the Terms of Reference of the Review Board have been published on the Government website and I also attach a copy of these terms here.
109. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding funding certainty for capital projects in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case.
The Government has committed €165 billion for capital investment as set out in the NDP published last October. In 2022, almost €12 billion has been made available to Departments to spend on vital infrastructure in areas such as housing, transport, education, enterprise, sport and climate action.
The NDP includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure is aimed at supporting the delivery of the ten National Strategic Outcomes identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). However, it is important to note that the NDP is fundamentally a high-level financial and budgetary plan, which sets out the framework and broad direction for investment priorities and is not a comprehensive list of all public investment projects that will take place over the next ten years.
Where sufficient planning and evaluation has already taken place the NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments as central to the delivery of the NPF vision. All of these commitments require evaluation along with the development of business cases in line with the requirements set out in the Public Spending Code before they are formally approved for implementation.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he and his Department expect strategically to increase areas of public expenditure that may be suffering in the aftermath of the financial crisis and the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21413/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he continues to have reforms in mind that may be helpful in the current inflationary climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied that levels of public expenditure are necessary and in line with budgetary targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21589/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he is satisfied that the curbs on public expenditure in Ireland will not inhibit progress on infrastructural investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 130, 191 and 193 together.
Last year’s Summer Economic Statement (SES) set out planned expenditure ceilings to 2025 under our Medium Term Expenditure Strategy. This is part of a fiscal framework that seeks to ensure that the level of spending and overall position of the public finances are sustainable over the medium term. It sees overall core expenditure growing at around 5 per cent per year on average over the period, a rate broadly in line with trend growth rate of the economy.
The average annual growth rate in core current expenditure is just under 4¾ per cent. Total capital spending, including that funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is to grow by an annual average of over 8½ per cent, reaching over €13½ billion in 2025. This builds on increased capital investment in recent years, following a period of significant expenditure reductions following the global financial crisis, and provides for increased allocations to key areas such as housing and climate investment. In Budget 2022, core capital spending increased by 11.7% over the 2021 position, allowing for increased allocations to Departments to progress infrastructural investment in line with the revised National Development Plan.
Budget 2022 allocations were in line with the parameters set out in the SES, with €80.1 billion in core expenditure available for 2022 and up to €7½ billion in non-core funding for temporary challenges such as Covid-19 and Brexit. This provides necessary continued supports as we recover from the pandemic while improving core services.
Recent years have seen a number of budgetary reforms implemented, which can aid and enhance our ongoing focus on ensuring value for money from public funds. This continues to be particularly important in light of recent expenditure pressures posed by Covid-19 and now by inflation and the war in Ukraine. These reforms includes the ‘whole-of-year’ budgetary framework, the Spending Review process, Performance Budgeting and Equality Budgeting and the development of the Wellbeing Framework for Ireland. Careful scrutiny on the quality of expenditure and what it delivers for citizens will be necessary to ensure we meet targets, in the context of both the significant level of resources to be provided under the medium term expenditure strategy and the current challenges we face.
111. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the works funded by the Office of Public Works on the Womanagh river near Ballymacoda, County Cork within the past 20 years; the amount expended on same to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21401/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The Womanagh River does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme. Therefore, the OPW has no responsibilities for the maintenance of the river.
The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority. A significant stretch of the Womanagh River forms the Womanagh Drainage District which is the responsibility of Cork County Council to maintain.
Other sections of the Womanagh River have historic embankment defences in private ownership, such as those at Ballymacoda. Commencing around 2007, prior to the introduction of the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in 2009, the OPW assisted on a pilot basis with embankment repair works for a length of the embankment downstream of Crompaun Bridge, on the west side of the river, at an estimated cost of approximately €275,000. The embankment repair works were completed by the OPW in 2012.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. All Local Authorities may carry out flood mitigation works using either their own resources or by applying for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. In 2021, the OPW approved funding of €34,392 to Cork County Council for the repair and replacement of a tidal sluice on the Womanagh River at Pilmore.
112. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if capital expenditure to date in 2022 is within profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the drawdown of capital expenditure from the Exchequer is detailed each month and is publicly available in the Fiscal Monitor, which is published on the gov.ie website. All line Departments and agencies submit information on their expenditure levels against profile to my Department, along with an explanation outlining details regarding any variance of under or over spending against profile.
The latest capital expenditure figures available to end-March reveal that the net capital spend, including capital carryover, was €1,279 million. When the carryover amount is omitted, the net capital spend amounts to €1,137 million, which is 21.0% or €302 million behind the profiled amount of €1,439 million, with all but two Departments declaring underspends against profile. Expenditure on capital infrastructure and programmes for the first quarter is some €209 million or 22.5% ahead of the same period last year.
Capital expenditure by its nature tends to be lumpy, with a particularly high drawdown at year-end. It is therefore not unusual for Departments to record an under or over spend against profile throughout the year.
The Government has committed to investing €165 billion in capital programmes and projects across a range of investment sectors, as set out in the National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 published last October. 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.
We will continue to monitor and report on capital expenditure developments as the year progresses.
113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the additional measures he will take to reduce the cost of living for workers and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment has introduced a number of measures in recent months to provide assistance in relation to cost of living pressures. Temporary measures have been designed to provide swift assistance, targeted at the main underlying problem of higher energy prices and to provide additional assistance to those most vulnerable, while being mindful of the need to avoid actions that could worsen the current challenges, by resulting in increased inflation.
Building on the measures introduced in Budget 2022, a cost of living package was announced in February which, combined with the earlier Energy Credit announcement, had a value of over half a billion euro. This comprised:
- A lump sum payment of €125 to recipients of Fuel Allowance to be paid in March;
- An increase in the Energy Credit payment announced in December from €100 exclusive of VAT to €200 inclusive of VAT;
- Applying the Budget 2022 increase of €10 in the weekly income threshold for the Working Family Payment from April rather than June;
- Further reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, having been reduced to €100 per month in Budget 2022;
- Reducing the maximum annual School Transport charge to €150 per family at primary level and €500 per family at post-primary level for the next academic year;
- A 20% reduction in PSO Public Transport fares until the end of 2022, from May in the Greater Dublin Area and April in other areas.
Additional measures of a temporary payment of €100 per week, for an eight week period, for every heavy goods vehicle for licensed hauliers and a further Fuel Allowance lump sum payment of €100 have since also been announced.
Across the euro area and other advanced economies, a rise in prices has been experienced since the second half of 2021 as a result of energy price increases, supply chain disruption and supply and demand mismatches. This is a global problem and while Government cannot fully insulate all from its impact, we have committed significant resources to assist those who may be struggling with the increased cost of living.
It is important that assistance measures for the challenge posed by rising prices are balanced against the need to ensure that our public finances return to a sustainable position, which will allow us deliver improvements in key public services and infrastructure into the future.
114. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the review of ethics in public office legislation; when he expects to receive the final review report; the details of any interim reports received by him to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20079/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe made a commitment in the 2020 Programme for Government to ‘reform and consolidate the Ethics in Public Office legislation’. As the Deputy’s question mentions, as the first step, I have asked my Department to undertake a review of Ethics legislation in advance of bringing fresh proposals for legislative reform to Government.
As agreed by Government, this Review has been underway since September 2021. Formal stakeholder engagement commenced in November: A public consultation exercise (based on a detailed policy approach set out in a Public Consultation Paper) launched in November 2021 and closed in mid-January 2022. Ten responses were received on foot of this. These include a limited number on behalf of individual citizens, as well as submissions from opposition political parties and bodies such as Transparency International.
Key elements of context for the draft review report’s findings have been prepared, including a detailed survey of Ireland's current provisions, and a survey of the arrangements in a number of comparable jurisdictions. Initial engagement has also taken place with relevant Government Departments and the Office of the Attorney General. I expect that the process will be completed during the course of the summer. The Review's outcome will then inform proposals for legislative reform that I intend to bring to Government later in 2022. There have been no interim reports.
In seeking to develop a renewed legislative approach, my Department will take as its point of departure the policy approach underlying the 2015 Public Sector Standards Bill. This, very broadly, involves consolidation of the statutory framework for ethics and giving effect to relevant recommendations of the Mahon and Moriarty Tribunals.
115. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an overview of national strategic outcome 2 of the National Development Plan 2021-30; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra131. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that the revised National Development Plan will enhance regional accessibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20755/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 131 together.
The National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 is underpinned by 10 National Strategic Outcomes. National Strategic Outcome 2, enhanced regional connectivity, seeks to enhance intra-regional accessibility through improving transport links between key urban centres of population and their respective regions, as well as improving transport links between the regions themselves.
The Government is firmly committed to encouraging the use of walking, cycling and other active travel methods, and this has been signalled by the recent increase in the active travel budget, for example, through the continued rollout of the successful and popular Greenways programme throughout the country.
The Department of Transport launched the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI) in late 2021 which sets out the prioritisation for future investment in the land transport network to support the delivery of the National Planning Framework (NPF). The NDP and NDF combine to form Project Ireland 2040.
Investment in the regional and commuter bus fleet will continue with the purchase of up to 400 new vehicles. A Strategic Rail Review was launched in late 2021, which will examine all aspects of the inter-urban and inter-regional rail network including decarbonising the railway, and the feasibility of higher speeds and increased capacity.
Under the NDP, the National Roads programme will continue to provide for improved connectivity across the years 2021-2030. Accordingly, there will be significant investment in the national road network across the next 10 years.
A total of 31 specific national road projects were identified as priorities in the NDP 2021-30. This is not an exhaustive list and these projects will progress through the relevant approval processes at different speeds depending on the particular nature of the projects. Funding from within the available budget will then be provided as necessary.
The completion of the new N4 Upgrade to Sligo provides an example of the kind of road investment being delivered under Project Ireland 2040.
116. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the options that are available to Government to address public sector pay claims triggered by a review clause in the current public sector pay agreement, Building Momentum, due to rising inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21462/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that pay increases and other measures are implemented across the public and private sectors to ensure workers' take-home pay is kept at least in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20850/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made on public sector pay deals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21485/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 120 and 140 together.
Public service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes to work practices.
The current public service agreement is Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2022. This Agreement is weighted towards those at lower incomes with headline increases of approximately 5% for the lowest paid public servants. These groups will also benefit more from other measures in the Agreement including the overtime rates and premia payment adjustments.
The Agreement provides for the following pay adjustments:
- A general round increase in annualised basic salary for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1 October 2021.
- The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022.
- A general round increase in annualised basic salaries for all public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater on, 1 October 2022.
Building Momentum is a two year Agreement, which is due to expire at the end of 2022. As the Deputies will be aware, public service unions and staff representative associations have sought a review of the current Agreement on the grounds that the assumptions regarding inflation, public finances and the projected deficit need to be revisited. The Agreement commits the parties to ‘prior engagement’ where assumptions underlying the Agreement need to be revisited.
It should be noted in this context that a number of measures have been agreed by Government in order to mitigate the impact of inflation. The cost of living package announced in February, combined with the earlier Energy Credit announcement, has a value of over half a billion euro. This comprises:
- A lump sum payment of €125 to recipients of Fuel Allowance to be paid in March;
- An increase in the Energy Credit payment announced in December from €100 exclusive of VAT to €200 inclusive of VAT;
- Applying the Budget 2022 increase of €10 in the weekly income threshold for the Working Family Payment from April rather than June;
- Further reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, having been reduced to €100 per month in Budget 2022;
- Reducing the maximum annual School Transport charge to €150 per family at primary level and €500 per family at post-primary level for the next academic year;
- A 20% reduction in PSO Public Transport fares from May until the end of 2022.
Additional measures of a temporary payment of €100 per week for every heavy goods vehicle for licensed hauliers and a further Fuel Allowance lump sum payment of €100 have since also been announced.
These expenditure measures, along with the excise duty reduction on petrol, diesel and marked gas oil introduced by the Minister for Finance and now extended until Budget day in October 2022, and the VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% on gas and electricity bills until end October, amount to €1 billion in aggregate.
In terms of the review of Building Momentum, an initial constructive engagement has already taken place between my officials and ICTU and I am giving consideration the issues raised. I am also consulting with Government colleagues as to the appropriate way forward. Of course, Government acknowledges that current price pressures present particular challenges and are a source of concern - including for public service workers.
The Government is committed to the delivery of quality public services, and will continue to approach public service pay in a balanced way that is reasonable and fair to both public servants and the taxpayer.
It is important to remember that there are multiple challenges facing the economy and the Exchequer, and in this context the public service pay bill needs to be managed in a sustainable way. While inflation and cost of living pressures will form a key part of any discussions, it is also important to avoid measures that might exacerbate inflationary pressures.
117. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the Civil Service blended working policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21192/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra136. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the Civil Service blended working policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20327/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 136 together.
The experience of the COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on the world of work, with an overnight move by necessity to remote working in many sectors. There have been many positive aspects to this experience for both employers and employees. It has also highlighted certain challenges. In the context of the return to the office, the COVID experience has informed discussions in the civil and public service on the potential future scope for remote working in a post-pandemic work environment.
In the case of the civil service, remote working will be facilitated into the future on a blended basis. In this context, my Department, in collaboration with Civil Service employers, Trade Unions and Staff Associations, has developed a Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations.
The Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the Civil Service and will assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public service. The Framework supports commitments contained in a number of strategies which this Government has launched. These include, the National Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future, the Climate Action Plan and the National Planning Framework.
I, along with Minister of State Smyth, published the Framework on 31 March. The Framework provides broad strategic direction to individual organisations in the Civil Service to develop tailored policies on blended working that are appropriate to their business needs and employees. It is anticipated that Departments and Offices will have these policies completed as soon as possible but no later than end-Q2 2022.
The Framework contains five key principles to guide Departments and Offices in the development of their policies. These principles are:
- Supporting the Business Need of the Organisation
- Leadership and Management
- Being an Employer of Choice
- Transparency and Consistency, and
- Health and Safety.
The Framework provides guidance for Departments and Offices around:
- Developing a blended working policy
- Employee eligibility criteria
- Application/decision making process
- Review of decision making process
- Provision of equipment for remote workers
- Supports and tools available to employees
- Guidance on Health and Safety obligations and other legal obligations
In developing their own policies, Civil Service Departments and Offices will have the flexibility to determine matters such as the proportion of time individual employees work remotely versus onsite and the roles that are suitable for blended working.
The Framework will be reviewed on an on-going basis to ensure it is meeting the needs of employers and employees in carrying out their day-to-day business. The first review of the Framework will take place when the Right to Request Remote Working legislation is enacted to ensure it is in accordance with that legislation.
A link to the Framework is provided below.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da010-blended-working-policy-framework-for-civil-service-organisations/
118. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Exchequer funding provided by the Government directly or indirectly to Ukraine since the beginning of the recent war; the purposes for which this money was provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20986/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding to support Ukraine following the invasion by Russia has been provided through the Department of Foreign Affairs. €20 million in humanitarian aid has been provided to the Ukraine emergency response which is funding the UN Appeal through a number of trusted agencies and the Red Cross movement. Ireland’s rapid response roster has also been activated with a number of experts expected to deploy to UN partners at a cost of €180,000.
Ireland also contributes to the crisis in Ukraine through our core and flexible funding to key humanitarian partners and joint mechanisms, including the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which has to date allocated €55 million to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Ireland released €11.5 million to the CERF in 2022. Ireland is one of over 40 countries that referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and is providing a further €3 million to the ICC, which will assist with regard to all situations before the court.
Ireland is also providing support through the European Peace Facility under which the EU has agreed three packages totalling €1.5 billion. Ireland constructively abstained on the lethal equipment elements of the packages and our support will only go to non-lethal elements. In financial terms, our total contribution will amount to approximately €33 million. These funding packages have not yet been fully disbursed and so Ireland’s full contribution may not be called upon in 2022.
Our public funding response will be focused however on providing for the Ukrainians arriving in Ireland to seek protection. Providing the resources required to meet the needs of these arrivals is expected to involve significant costs, though the exact level of these will depend on a number of factors, including the total number of arrivals and the accommodation solutions. No additional funding for this humanitarian response has yet been formally allocated to departments or agencies through Estimates brought before the Dáil.
Work on detailed costings is still underway and being refined as more information becomes available and all Departments have been requested to report all Ukrainian refugee related spending to my Department on a monthly basis to allow monitoring. As there is generally expected to be a timing issue with regard to receipt and payments of invoices against when expenditure is incurred, it is anticipated that further information on payments made in relation to Ukraine will be available when end-April reporting is completed.
119. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has received and considered an application from a club (details supplied) to purchase State-owned lands adjacent to the club grounds at Knockalisheen, Meelick, County Clare. [21336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works received representations on behalf of Meelick GAA club on 25th March 2022 regarding lands owned by the Commissioners of Public Works adjacent to the Meelick GAA grounds at Knockalisheen.
The property in question is currently occupied by the Limerick Regional Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. My officials will consider the most recent representation received and, following discussions with the Department on the future use of the property, will respond to the Club in relation to its request.
