Written Answers Nos. 189-202
189. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of full-time qualified structural engineers employed by the Office of Public Works as of 1 January 2021 and 13 June 2022, in tabular form. [32210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of full-time qualified structural engineers employed by the Office of Public Works as of 1 January 2021 and 13 June 2022 can be found in the table below.
|
Grade |
As of 01 January 2021 |
As of 13 June 2022 |
|
Assistant Chief Engineer C&S |
1 |
1 |
|
C&S Engineer Grade 1 |
3 |
3 |
|
C&S Engineer Grade 2 |
5 |
5 |
|
C&S Engineer Grade 3 |
2 |
3 |
|
Total |
11 |
12 |
190. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a national heritage area will be delisted once the species it is protecting has died; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32288/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNatural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are overseen by the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and not by the Office of Public Works.
191. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the progress on blended working arrangements across the Civil Service to support Government policy to move to 20% remote home working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working.
In the case of the Civil Service, remote working will be facilitated into the future on a blended basis, with the aim of achieving the Programme for Government goal. 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. Departments and Offices are currently developing their own blended working policies and it is anticipated that these policies will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
In developing their own blended working 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 those roles that are suitable for blended working.
Access to blended working by civil servants will be dependent on Departments and Offices having the ability to meet the needs of the business. Remote working will not be available to employees on a 100 percent basis as some physical attendance at workplaces will be required to facilitate face-to-face meetings, training and other key events deemed necessary by the employer.
192. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will adjust travel and accommodation expenses for employees of the public sector to reflect the fact that petrol, diesel and accommodation costs have risen considerably in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32388/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, motor travel rates were last reviewed in 2017 and the current rates are set out in Circular 05/2017: Motor Travel Rates.
Day and overnight subsistence rates were last reviewed in December 2021 and the current rates are set out in Circular 23/2021.
The rates are currently being reviewed by my officials and work is ongoing on devising new rates reflecting current input costs. Proposals for revised rates will be discussed, as per existing agreements, with staff representative associations.
It is anticipated that discussions will take place shortly with staff representative associations with a view to seeking early agreement.
193. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he plans to schedule an update of the review of participation in, and cost of, apprenticeships published in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as part of the annual 2019 Spending Review process, DPER conducted a review of participation and costs associated with Apprenticeships. The main aim of the Spending Review process, which is currently in its 2020-2022 cycle, is to continue to subject key policies and expenditure programmes across Government to critical assessment in support of the service-wide agenda of evidence-informed policy making. As per the previous cycles of the review process, programmes and areas to be assessed are selected by each Department on an annual basis.
As part of this year’s Spending Review, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in collaboration with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, are working on a paper on demographic projections in Higher Education. While not being examined this year as part of the Spending Review process, an update of the 2019 paper on Apprenticeship participation and costs may be considered as a potential topic for analysis in the future.
194. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he had any engagements with the steering group and Cork City Council; if any progress has been made for the lower Lee relief scheme and the condition of the Ballincollig Weir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that the Office of Public Works (OPW), in partnership with Cork City Council, is currently progressing the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme.
The proposed scheme will include low riverside defences, an early flood warning system and new dam management procedures for Carrigadrohid and Inniscarra dams and will facilitate public realm improvements. In line with international best practice the scheme will provide protection to over 2,100 properties (900 homes & 1,200 businesses) from the 1 in 100 year fluvial flood event and the 1 in 200 year tidal flood event.
The Steering Group for the Scheme, including representatives of the OPW, Cork City Council, engineering and environmental consultants meet on a monthly basis to discuss all aspects of the Scheme and my officials keep me apprised of progress on the scheme. The most recent Steering Group Meeting was held on 2nd June 2022.
The current estimated whole life cost of the Scheme is circa €140m although this is likely to be revised upwards when the various design changes introduced after the Public Exhibition feedback, and inflation, are taken into account.
I am advised that the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Detailed Design stage and is programmed to be submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for Confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 in late 2022.
Once the Scheme is confirmed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 and 1995, and following the appointment of Contractors, the Scheme will have an anticipated construction period of 5-6 years.
I am aware that Ballincollig 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.
The issue of Ballincollig Weir, which as part of Ballincollig Regional Park is in the ownership of Cork City Council since the boundary change between Cork County and Cork City in June 2019, has been raised during discussions with the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Steering Group. The condition of the weir, and the objectives and requirements for any works to it, is currently under discussion by all parties prior to a final decisions to be taken on what works might be undertaken as part of the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme.
In June of last year, I met with the Lord Mayor of Cork City, along with members of Cork City Council and City Council Officials, to confirm OPW’s commitment to incorporate remedial works to the weir into the construction contract and budget for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, if appropriate. While there are no hydraulic benefits to the flood relief scheme from the weir, the OPW has now agreed to assess the feasibility of incorporating any remedial works to the weir into the contract and budget for the proposed Scheme.
The nature of any such remedial works will be subject to an assessment of planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations, that the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme Steering Group has asked the Scheme’s design consultants, contracted by the OPW, to review. The consultants’ proposal to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for the reinstatement of Ballincollig Weir is being finalised at present.
195. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagements he has had with the Office of Public Works, Kilmainham Gaol and the National Graves Association on plans to move the remains of the Invincibles from the grounds of Kilmainham Gaol to consecrated grounds chosen by their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the previous contribution by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works on this matter. Consideration for the undertaking of such a proposal is one which is not a unilateral matter for the Office of Public Works and is a matter for decision by the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage in the first instance. Accordingly, there has been no formal engagement between my Department and the parties referred to.
196. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the election to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31931/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the findings of the public consultation on Údarás na Gaeltachta will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31932/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
The Programme for Government commits to undertaking a review of the organisational and governance structures of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including the selection/election process of 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.
The current Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta was appointed on 16 January 2018 for a 5-year period to 15 January 2023 in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Gaeltacht Act 2012. This is the second Board to be appointed under the revised arrangements in accordance with the Act.
Under the current arrangement, appointments to the Board are made in two ways. Instead of holding direct elections, nominations are made to the Board from the Local Authorities whose functional areas are Gaeltacht areas. It also ensures that the appointments of the other seven members who come through the system administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) have the appropriate expertise and skills - in the overall interest of Údarás na Gaeltachta and the communities it serves as a state institution.
There have been a number of changes to the organisation's range of activities since 2012 - including the implementation of the language planning process, the success of which depends on the ongoing input of Gaeltacht communities from the bottom up.
In this regard, it is recognised that a more democratic and revised approach may be timely.
In order to advance matters, my Department has been working with the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to progress the appointment of consultants to undertake the review. Tenders were sought from the market on two separate occasions since last summer but none were received on either occasion.
In light of this, steps are now in train on the part of the Department to appoint a consultancy with a view to commencing and completing the review as soon as possible. This in turn will inform next steps in relation to the Board of An tÚdarás.
198. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the work her Department is undertaking to develop and implement further actions to support the positive portrayal and representation of LGBTI+ identities in broadcast media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to supporting progress on equality across society and in all areas under my remit. Ireland has made significant progress in recent years in terms of the greater respect shown to LGBTI+ people.
Media policy and regulation plays an important role in protecting LGBTI+ people from hate speech and in supporting the representation of LGBTI+ people on broadcast and other media.
In this context, the existing statutory framework for the regulation of broadcasting services, as set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009, includes provisions regarding the appropriate representation of persons and groups in society. Under the Act, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) is the independent regulator for broadcasting content in the State. Under section 42 of the Act, the BAI is required to make broadcasting codes governing the standards and practice to be observed by broadcasters. These codes include:
- the Code of Fairness, Objectivity and Impartiality in News and Current Affairs, which requires that the treatment of current affairs programming is fair to all interests concerned and presented in an objective and impartial manner; and,
- the Code of Programme Standards, which is designed, inter alia, to promote responsible broadcasting in which access to information, entertainment and education and a range of views are enhanced and undue offence and harm are reduced.
One of the principles underpinning the Code of Programme Standards is respect for persons and groups in society. In pursuance of this principle, the Code provides that ‘the manner in which persons and groups in society are represented shall be appropriate and justifiable and shall not prejudice respect for human dignity’ and that ‘programme material shall not stigmatise, support or condone discrimination or incite hatred against persons or groups in society in particular on the basis of age, gender, marital status, membership of the Traveller community, family status, sexual orientation, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity or religion’.
The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 provides for the dissolution of the BAI and establishment of a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, which will oversee updated regulatory frameworks for broadcasting and video-on-demand service and a new regulatory framework for online safety. Section 9 of the Bill amending section 46N of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the extension of the scope of broadcasting codes from broadcasting services to video-on-demand services. To reflect this, following the enactment and commencement of the Bill such codes will be termed media service codes. The Bill also provides that existing codes will continue in force until amended or replaced by Coimisiún na Meán. The expansion of the remit of codes will ensure that the principles underpinning the current Code of Programme Standards, such as the principle of respect for persons and groups, will extend to video-on-demand services registered in the State.
As part of the new framework for online safety, Coimisiún na Meán will devise binding online safety codes that will set out how regulated online services, including social media services, are expected to deal with certain defined categories of harmful online content on their platforms. These categories include 40 categories of offence specific content, including categories linked to the incitement of hatred under Prohibition of Incitement of Hatred Act 1989. This is intended to protect vulnerable groups, including LGBTI+ people, from hate speech online.
Section 53 of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 provides that Coimisiún na Meán may impose a content production levy on certain media service providers to fund content production schemes. In particular, such schemes may grant support for new audiovisual programmes relating to human rights, including equality, diversity and inclusion, which would facilitate the support of programmes specifically relating to, for example, the experiences of LGBTI+ people.
My officials have been engaging with the BAI regarding the actions they are taking to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the broadcasting sector in Ireland. The BAI is currently reviewing its 2018 Gender Action Plan and when complete, this review will inform the development of a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
The Deputy can be assured that I will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to further explore appropriate approaches to support equality, diversity and inclusion in the sector.
199. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps her Department has taken to increase visitor numbers to Ireland's Ancient East, as promised under the Our Rural Future rural development policy. [27667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings, such as Ireland's Ancient East, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
200. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the current RTÉ strategy for the period 2018-22, which was reviewed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland prior to being submitted to her Department and was subsequently laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and signed off on by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32070/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects to receive the strategies for 2023-27 from TG4 and RTÉ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32071/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
Under Section 99 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is required to prepare a Statement of Strategy which sets out how they intend to achieve their public service objects for the following five year period. These Statements of Strategy are required to be presented to the Minister and subsequently laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
The Statements are also submitted to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) as the independent regulator, and as part of their wider consideration of the fulfilment by RTÉ of its public service objects. However, in accordance with the editorial and operational independence provided for by the Broadcasting Act, the Minister is not required to formally approve the Statement of Strategy. Rather the Minister may lay a Government response alongside the Statement of Strategy and BAI review.
With regard to the RTÉ Statement of Strategy for the period 2018-2022, this was submitted to and reviewed by the BAI before being presented to the Department and brought to Government by the then Minister. Both the Strategy and the Government response were subsequently laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
On foot of concerns regarding its financial position in 2019, RTÉ developed a revised financial strategy for the period up to 2024, which includes a range of measures designed to reduce costs and increase revenues. This revised financial strategy does not replace the existing statutory Statement of Strategy and as such did not require formal review by BAI under the legislation. However, it was examined by my Department in consultation with NewERA, following which the Government decided to allocate an additional €9.3 million in funding to RTÉ through an increased contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free TV licences, to enable the implementation by RTÉ of the package of agreed measures. It was also agreed that NewEra, in conjunction with my Department, would also monitor the delivery by RTÉ of the revised strategy targets.
With regard to the next strategy period, commencing in 2023, the BAI are engaging with both TG4 and RTÉ in relation to the development of their respective Statements of Strategy. These will be submitted to my Department in due course, and in accordance with the legislative provisions in the Broadcasting Act.
202. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total final expenditure on phase 3 of the live performance support scheme. [32125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Live Performance Supports Scheme - LPSS 3 was launched to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and were curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity. Grants of over €9.5m have been offered under LPSS 3.
