Written Answers Nos. 191-207
191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if women civil servants employed prior to 1981 are required upon retirement to pay contributions owed to the Civil Service spouses and children's benefit scheme for years of employment prior to 1981 from their lump sum payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35266/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the ‘Original’ S&C Scheme (formerly named widows’ and orphans’ contributory pension scheme) was introduced for female civil servants in 1981 on terms equivalent to those applicable to male civil servants, the beneficiaries were confined to the spouses and children of marriages that took place prior to the individual leaving public service employment.
S.I. No. 56/1981 amended the existing Civil Service Widows' and Children's Contributory Pension Scheme and provided for the admission of established female civil servants to the scheme on terms equivalent to those applicable to male civil servants from 1 June 1981. In effect, that scheme then became the Spouses' and Children's Pension Scheme.
Membership of this scheme then applied to female officers in either of the following two categories:
(a) Those who were serving, or commenced to serve, in an established capacity at any time between 1 March 1980 and 31 May 1981, who did not opt out of the scheme and whose benefits take the form of a pension, lump sum and death gratuity rather than pension only.
(b) Those appointed to established posts on or after 1 June 1981.
If an individual who has been married during their scheme membership has not made periodic contributions from salary in respect of all pensionable service, non-periodic contributions are payable at retirement in respect of the outstanding ‘relevant service’, up to a maximum of 40 years. This relevant service can include pre-scheme service, depending on the periodic contributions which have been paid at the time of retirement. These non-periodic contributions will prevent a shortfall of scheme contributions and are usually deducted from the retirement lump sum at a rate of 1% of retiring salary for each year of relevant service.
192. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of PhD positions funded by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the average stipend or salary paid to full-time PhD candidates through these funding streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35436/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently no full time PhD candidates placed in my Department or the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department. I can also confirm that this is the case with regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department.
The Deputy may be aware that the refund of fees scheme supports civil servants to study part-time, by refunding fees for courses seen as relevant to the job and giving exam and study leave to facilitate this study. There are currently three staff members in my Department studying part time for PhDs under this scheme.
193. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will ensure that for the winter of 2022, pumps will be on site, fuelled and manned by OPW staff at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon to save the houses that are in danger of flooding around Lough Funshinagh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoscommon County Council is leading the response to the flooding situation at Lough Funshinagh and is being supported by relevant Departments and Agencies, including the Office of Public Works. Roscommon County Council has a number of pumps available to it for use at Lough Funshinagh should they be required.
194. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans the Office of Public Works has in place to progress works at Lough Funshinagh, County Roscommon, in terms of appropriate assessment screening, planning permission and required legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35474/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoscommon County Council is leading the works to manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh. In April this year I met with Mr. Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive Officer, Roscommon County Council and locally elected representatives to discuss the outcome from the recent judicial review to the works by Roscommon County Council to protect properties at risk from flooding at Lough Funshinagh.
In May, Mr. Joe Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council and Mr. Eugene Cummins, CEO, Roscommon County Council wrote to me highlighting the policy and legislative issues that Roscommon County Council believes needs to be addressed to allow the Council pursue works at Lough Funshinagh.
As many of these issues fall within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I have referred these matters to Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D. for his early consideration and highlighted that OPW officials are available to discuss these matters with his Department and with other key stakeholders, as may be appropriate.
Senior officials from the Office of Public Works (OPW) met with officials from Roscommon County Council on 20th June. The meeting focused on identifying possible approaches to a viable solution to manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh. Further meetings between officials are to be arranged.
I have assured the Council of the OPW’s continued support for the Council, to find a viable solution to manage the flood risk at Lough Funshinagh.
195. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on adjusting travel and subsistence rates given increasing travel costs. [35553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor travel rates were last reviewed in 2017 and the current rates are set out in Circular 05/2017: Motor Travel Rates.
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 these discussions will take place shortly.
196. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of revenue generated from car parking charges, by location, in each OPW site in which parking charges apply in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [35769/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW is committed manage our heritage portfolio in a sustainable manner and, in line with the Government's Heritage Ireland 2030 framework, to integrate the role of heritage in sustainable tourism. The OPW encourages all visitors to choose sustainable options for travel to Heritage sites and to use public transport where possible to access the sites in our care.
The majority of our sites offer, where available, free parking. Currently, the OPW only charges for carparking at two location; the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin and Altamont House and Gardens, Ballon, Co Carlow.
Car parking facilities at Glendalough are managed by a concessionaire on behalf of the OPW.
Details of income received in respect of car parking charges are set out below.
|
Site |
Income received 2021 |
Income received 2022 to date |
|
Altamont |
€35,774 |
€15,993 |
|
NBG Glasnevin |
€112,106 |
€43,422 |
|
Site |
Income received 2021 |
Income received 2022 to date |
|
Glendalough |
€71,541 |
€25,000 |
197. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the bodies under his aegis in which persons will receive a pay rise from 1 July 2022; the role of each, where appropriate, or the anonymised salaries bands otherwise, the current remuneration and the proposed increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35857/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 and ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022’.
By 1 July, 2021, salary rates up to €150,000, which account for 99% of the Public Service, had been fully restored.
Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, 2017, set out that restoration for public servants with annualised basic salaries above €150,000 would be completed by Ministerial Order by 1 July, 2022. In accordance with the legislation, an Order under Section 20 of the Act was laid before the Oireachtas on 30 June, 2022.
The majority of posts (over 90%) impacted by restoration on 1 July, 2022 are medical consultants. For General Service Grades in the Civil Service, Circular 15/2022 sets out the salary rates with effect from 1 July, 2022. This Circular is available on the Government website (www.gov.ie/en/circulars/). The rates that applied prior to the adjustment on 1 July, 2022 are set out in Circular 04/2022, which is also available on the Government website.
In respect of my Department and the bodies under its aegis, there are three posts encompassed by restoration under the Order. These are:
- Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Secretary General Level I)
- Chairman, Office of Public Works (salary rate equivalent to Secretary General Level III)
- Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman (salary rate equivalent to Secretary General Level III)
The salary rates for these posts are as set out in Circular 15/2022.
198. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on the review in relation to amending the occupational injury and illness scheme or public sector pay in relation to cases of long-Covid contracted in the workplace, particularly in relation to the possible recognition of long-Covid as an occupational illness or disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme is under the remit of Minister Humphreys and the Department of Social Protection, who I understand have received a similar question.
Within the Public Service each sector is responsible for their own occupational health supports and their own occupational injury schemes, as sectoral needs require. Access to such schemes is as per the provisions of the relevant schemes and the nature of the individual cases.
By public sector pay in relation to COVID-19 I take it that the Deputy is referring to Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided that Special Leave with Pay would be used in lieu of sick leave for self-isolation or a diagnosis of COVID-19 for public service employees. From 1 July Special Leave with Pay continues to be available for the stated self-isolation period, which is currently seven days. Following this if a public service employee remains unwell they may avail of the provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which is a form of paid leave for the Public Service.
A temporary scheme of paid leave for certain public health service employees unfit for work post COVID-19 infection has been prepared and proposed to the public health sector staff representative bodies. Engagement is ongoing between the Department of Health, the HSE and the health sector representative bodies in this regard.
Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 is not intended to replace sick leave in the Public Service, nor was it designed to address long COVID. Additionally, it is out of scope for Special Leave with Pay to address causation.
199. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the cost of the additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport on the weekend beginning 4 June 2022 to supervise the security queues through departures has been reimbursed to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36131/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would suggest that the Deputy refer his question to the Minister for Justice, as the matter of an additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport and the cost arising is a matter for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and the Minister of Justice in the first instance.
200. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of former civil servants who are currently serving on State boards under her remit; the number of former county managers and chief executive officers of local authorities who are currently on each of the State boards under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect of State Boards under the Department's remit, I can confirm that the Deputy's query applies to three State Boards, which are set out in tabular form below.
|
State Board |
The number of former Civil Servants who are currently serving on State boards |
The number of former County Managers and Chief Executive Officers of local authorities who are currently on each of the State Boards |
|
Arts Council |
Nil |
1 |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
Nil |
1 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
1 |
Nil |
201. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of PhD positions funded by her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department; the average stipend or salary paid to full-time PhD candidates through these funding streams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35440/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that there are no full-time candidates in PhD positions paid for by this Department.
In relation to bodies under the aegis of this Department, two PHD positions are being funded by Sport Ireland at an annual value of €8,000 per person.
Údarás na Gaeltachta currently co-funds 3 full-time PhD research projects on a collaborative basis with three Higher Educational Institutions, at an annual value of €12,000, €8,000 and €18,372 respectively.
In relation to the following public bodies (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, RTÉ and TG4), Section 24 and Section 98 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 provides for the independence in the performance of their functions. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
202. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the funding her Department has allocated to organisations, groups or persons in order to combat misinformation and disinformation online, in print and in broadcasting media from 1 January 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35494/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not allocated funding to organisations, groups or persons in order to combat misinformation and disinformation online during the period of time specified by the Deputy.
I understand, however, that the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), as an independent regulatory authority and as a member of the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA), has supported the work of ERGA in monitoring the implementation of the European Commission's Code of Practice on Disinformation during the period of time specified.
203. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration will be given by her Department to instituting a similar support mechanism to the live performance restart grant scheme for those whose turnover was below €100,000 and thus were unable to qualify for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December, following Budget 2022, I was pleased to announce details of another €50m suite of measures to support the live performance sector in 2022. The funding has provided for the following schemes:
- 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.
- Grants of €2.9m have also been offered under the LPSS Strand II, which is aimed at pantomimes and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions which applied in December and January.
- The Live Performance Restart Grant Scheme (LPRGS) launched in March to provide a new grant for businesses engaged in staging live events in the arts and culture live performance sector. This scheme will support the live entertainment sector by providing business re-start grants to de-risk the planning of events across spring and summer of 2022 and to assist with the costs of reopening. Grants of €14.7m have been offered under LPRGS to date.
- €1m was provided to support the St Patrick’s Festival.
- The Local Live Public Performance Scheme (LLPPS) Phase 3 has provided funding of €5m to Local Authorities to support local live events. These events will continue to run until the end of June this year. Given the success of the scheme I recently allocated a further €5m to the local authorities to provide for live events until Halloween.
In relation to smaller businesses i.e. with turnover less than €100,000, the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) 2022 was also launched earlier this year as part of a suite of measures I put in place to support the live entertainment sector. MEBAS 2022 is a targeted support for self-employed performers and sole traders with a VAT exclusive turnover of €15,000 or over operating solely in the live entertainment sector who did not qualify for other business supports such as CRSS and who were significantly impacted by restrictions introduced to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, over €2.27m has been paid under this scheme.
The funding delivered through this suite of supports I believe has been essential to help underpin the recovery of the sector post pandemic. I am pleased to see that hundreds of events and gigs are happening across the country and with the worst of the pandemic now behind us, artists, crews and event producers and promoters are back to doing what they do best.
204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current and capital funding that her Department has provided to a venue (details supplied) in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the way that Exchequer funding was spent in each of the years in question. [35779/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current and capital funding provided by my Department to the venue referred to by the Deputy for years 2020 and 2021 is set out in tabular from below. To date, no funding has been provided in 2022.
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
2020 |
0 |
€400,000 |
€400,000 |
|
2021 |
€46,000 |
€600,000 |
€646,000 |
The capital funding is made up of an annual grant of €400,000 for both years plus an additional €200,000 towards a Project Business Case in 2021. In 2021, current funding of €11,000 from Culture Ireland and €35,000 from the Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922 programme was provided.
The Decade of Centenaries funding was in respect of the live streaming of the Abbey's production ‘14 Voices from the Bloodied Field’, a series of performances focusing on the 14 Croke Park Bloody Sunday 1920 victims. The Culture Ireland funding was a contribution towards the costs associated with disseminating the Abbey Theatre production of Dear Ireland 2020: Reflections on a pandemic as part of Seoda, Culture Ireland's online celebration of Irish arts 17 -21 March 202, on Culture Ireland's YouTube Channel.
Examples of the expenditure met from the annual capital grant included items such as IT equipment, lighting & sound equipment, improvements in building accessibility, roof repairs and fire proofing upgrades.
The Arts Council is the statutory body charged with supporting and developing the arts in Ireland and is independent in its funding decisions under Section 24(2) of the Arts Act 2003. Details of Arts Council’s funding for venues is available on the Arts Council’s decisions database listing funding from 2008 to date via the following link www.artscouncil.ie/funding-decisions/
205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current and capital funding her Department has provided to the Gate Theatre in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the way that Exchequer funding was spent in each of the years in question. [35780/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the deputy that no funding was provided by my Department to the Gate Theatre from 2020 to date.
206. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the bodies under her aegis in which persons will receive a pay rise from 1 July 2022; the role of each, where appropriate, or the anonymised salaries bands otherwise, the current remuneration and the proposed increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will issue directly to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
207. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is any funding available for a swimming pool in Baltimore, County Cork; if so, the potential sources of funds; the way the operators of the pool may apply, given this facility needs help to keep its doors open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36033/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recognises the importance of the leisure sector and the positive impact that swimming has on the nation’s health. However, my Department does not provide funding for the ongoing operational cost of swimming pools or leisure centres. My Department’s direct role in relation to swimming pools is primarily related to providing capital support for the development of such facilities. The day to day financial management of public swimming pools is a matter for the operators of the facilities themselves.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic however, my Department provided funding of €2.5 million in 2020 to support publicly accessible swimming pools in responding to the challenges associated with maintaining swimming pools and re-opening within Covid-19 safety protocols. A further amount of €3.2 million was provided in 2021 for this purpose in recognition of the importance of the sector and the positive impact swimming has on the nation’s health. The funding was administered by Ireland Active on behalf of Sport Ireland and supported 280 pools throughout the country including the pool referred to by the Deputy.
Recent global events, including the invasion of Ukraine, have led to a rise in energy costs. The Government has already implemented a number of measures to help ease the impact on enterprises, and further details are available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s website.
In terms of future policy, the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023, which was published in November 2021, contains an action to develop and implement a National Swimming Strategy to provide additional swimming opportunities indoors and outdoors. Initial preparatory work has been undertaken by my Department in this regard. It is intended to establish a working group in the near future to take forward the detailed work of preparing a national swimming strategy, with a view to its completion and publication later this year. Any recommendations in this strategy will be fully considered when deciding on the future funding provision for swimming pools.
