Written Answers Nos. 219-236
220. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made on the creation of a single authority to control the flow of water in the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56097/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the work that has been undertaken to reduce the level of water in the three main lakes on the River Shannon to prevent winter flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56098/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made on the removal of pinch points in the Shannon callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56099/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the involvement that the OPW has had with ESB, Waterways Ireland and the various local authorities along the river Shannon to prevent winter flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56100/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 to 223, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group was established in 2016 by the Government to enhance the ongoing co-operation across the various state agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Group recently met in Athlone on 20th October 2022. At that meeting, the Group discussed a range of issues relating to work underway to assist with flood risk management along the River Shannon including the project for the removal of the pinch points through the Callows region between Athlone and Meelick weir.
Work is advancing to progress this project for the Shannon Callows region. A Steering Group has been established to oversee the project and a brief is currently being finalised for the appointment of a consultant to carry out the initial analysis and design work. Waterways Ireland, on behalf of the Shannon Group, will act as the Contracting Authority for this project.
The ESB, as a member of the Shannon Group, has provided the OPW with the following information in relation to its actions regarding the management of water levels on Lough Allen, Lough Ree and Lough Derg, and the management of water levels at Parteen weir.
The Shannon catchment has experienced high levels of rainfall over the last number of weeks and particularly since late-September. This has resulted in increasing water levels in the River Shannon and its tributaries.
All lakes were at or below the target levels as set out in the ESB’s regulations and guidelines for control of the River Shannon in advance of the aforementioned rainfall which commenced towards the end of September.
Specifically:
a. Lough Allen was below the normal operating band (48.7 – 49.1 mOD Poolbeg) until 4th October 2022.
b. Lough Ree was below the target level for the end of August (37.49 mOD Poolbeg) until 6th October 2022, with all sluices in Athlone closed (due to rising callows levels) on the 17th October 2022.
c. Lough Derg levels were within the normal operating band until increased inflows greater than station throughput caused it to enter flood on Thursday 3rd November 2022.
The capacity available in the lakes by being at or below target levels has now been used up as a result of the rainfall that has fallen on the Shannon catchment since the end of September.
The rate at which the water travels to Ardnacrusha is primarily a result of the natural topography of the river and the natural restrictions in the river. It takes many days for water to travel down the Shannon. All of the water arriving at Parteen weir is discharged either via Ardnacrusha station or down the old Shannon channel. The ESB does not store any water upstream of Parteen weir in the Parteen Basin.
In a flood situation, (Lough Derg is currently in flood since last week), the ESB discharges the most amount of water operationally possible through Ardnacrusha station via the Headrace canal away from flood prone areas of the Lower Shannon.
The ESB continues to maximise the discharge of water from Lough Derg via Parteen weir. Discharge at Parteen weir down the old River Shannon Channel as at Thursday, 10th November was 135 m3/s. This is combined with discharge from Ardnacrusha Station which is operating at full throughput operationally possible (approximately 368 m3/s currently).
Discharging more water than the current volume would result in lowering water levels in Parteen Basin and the Headrace canal below safe operating limits with the risk of causing stability issues to the Category A Earthen Embankment Dams that form Parteen Basin and the Headrace canal. The ESB can only manage the flow of water as it arrives at Parteen weir from Lough Derg. The water flow from Lough Derg to Parteen Basin is restricted by the flow capacity of the outlet channel from Lough Derg at Killaloe. The capacity restriction acts like a bottleneck limiting the discharge from Lough Derg. The ESB will continue to maximise the discharge of water from Lough Derg within its Dam Safety constraints.
Predicted water levels and expected discharge amounts based on the latest Met Éireann forecast as well as water levels throughout the three lakes and Ardnacrusha discharges are available on the ESB’s website at: Hydrometric Information (esb.ie).
The Deputy will recall that I committed to undertaking an examination of the legislative landscape including a review of the current regulatory environment underpinning the members of the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group.
On the recommendation of the Attorney General, the OPW obtained legal services to support the examination of the legislative powers underpinning all of the bodies involved. The legal analysis has been carried out and the outcome has informed a proposed approach which is currently under consideration.
224. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the deductions made from the pensions of retired teachers arising from the financial crash 2008 will be restored. [56139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI presume the Deputy is referring to the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) which was introduced on 1 January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2010, as part of the Government’s programme of financial emergency measures to address the serious position of public finances. It was significantly extended via the FEMPI Act 2013.
PSPR was applied in a progressive manner, operating by way of percentage reduction to pensions above specified exemption thresholds, with larger reductions imposed on relatively higher value pensions. This measure secured c. €135 million per annum in savings at its peak when it applied to approximately 90,000 pensions.
PSPR was significantly reduced in each of the years 2016 – 2020, by way of changes to the exemption thresholds and percentage reductions applicable. As of 1 January 2020, an estimated 97% plus of public service pensions were free from PSPR, leaving a residual group of approximately 4,000 of the highest value pensions still impacted from that date.
PSPR was removed from those pensions still impacted by it from 1 July 2021, in accordance with the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (Section 27(3)) Order 2020.
225. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to progress the River Shannon Management Agency Bill 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56282/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will recall that I committed to undertaking an examination of the legislative landscape including a review of the current regulatory environment underpinning the members of the Shannon Flood Risk State Co-ordination Working Group.
On the recommendation of the Attorney General, the OPW obtained legal services to support the examination of the legislative powers underpinning all of the bodies involved. The legal analysis has been carried out and the outcome has informed a proposed approach which is currently under consideration.
226. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of payments made for all public sector pensions, including Civil Service pensions, over the past five years, in tabular form; the projected cost for these over the next five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI and my Department are responsible for the Civil Service pension schemes, which cover personnel in established and unestablished Civil Service and State Industrial posts.
The authorities responsible for the administration of the large number of pension schemes operating in the various sectors of the Irish public service are, in general, the relevant employers and Ministers in those sectors.
It would be a matter for those sectoral authorities, including relevant Ministers, to supply such information as may be available in respect of the number of retirees in each year to those individual pension schemes.
Total pension payments to Civil Servants in each of the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 are outlined below. We would not be in a position to provide final figures for 2022 until such time as the full year has elapsed and the Appropriation Account for 2022 has been audited. This will be completed over the course of 2023.
Total payments to Civil Servants in each of the years 2017 to 2021
|
5 Year Expenditure Summary 2017 to 2021 |
|||||
|
2017 Outturn |
2018 Outturn |
2019 Outturn |
2020 Outturn |
2021 Outturn |
|
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
535.5 |
573.2 |
598.7 |
628.4 |
698.5 |
|
Projected Expenditure 2022 to 2023 |
||
|
2022 Estimate |
2023 Estimate |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
Gross Expenditure |
707.6 |
787.6 |
228. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to develop a strategy for the repurposing of vacant OPW buildings and unused OPW sites for public housing or community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56429/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works manages a property portfolio in excess of 2,500 properties ranging from heritage buildings, commercial office blocks, green field sites, warehouses, Coast Guard Stations and Garda Stations. As would be the norm in such a large portfolio, at any given time, there will be a number of properties being refurbished or vacant. The State will always retain a number of vacant properties for future use. As a matter of policy, no property or site is disposed of until there is absolute certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property.
The OPW, like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies on the disposal of surplus properties. The arrangements involved are set out in the following Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) Circulars:
1. Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets
2. Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property
In a case where the OPW does not need to retain a property, and has deemed it surplus to requirements, the office follows a strict procedure. The OPW's Disposal Policy (consistent with the aforementioned Department of Public Expenditure and Reform circulars on disposals of properties) with regard to vacant State property, is to:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments, Local Authorities or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of it on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
Housing and Community Use
In terms of alternative uses such as housing, the OPW notifies all relevant stakeholders of any vacant, surplus properties that may be considered for housing or other State use. This includes notifying the Land Development Agency and the relevant local authorities or other State bodies. While the provision of social/affordable and emergency residential accommodation is a function of the Local Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the OPW has in recent years provided:
- Eight residential units in Dublin City Centre that were transferred to Dublin City Council for use by the Peter McVerry Trust.
- A building in Crumlin, Dublin that is now licensed to Dublin City Council for use as a Family Hub.
- Five former Garda residences in Templemore have transferred to Tipperary County Council for social housing.
- Two former Garda station properties at Goleen and Adrigole have transferred to Cork County Council for social housing.
In addition, there are a number of properties that are in the process of being transferred to local authorities for housing or community use, as follows:
- The former Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum which will be transferring to the Land Development Agency for housing purposes.
- A further seven buildings are being transferred to Cork County Council for social housing and a site in Cork is transferring to Cork County Council for the construction of 24 social housing units.
- Two former Garda residences will be transferred to Tipperary County Council for social housing shortly.
- A property at Carrigrohane, Cork City is in the process of being leased to Cork City Council for housing purposes.
- The former Garda station at Inagh is to be used as local housing office by Inagh Housing Association following transfer to Clare County Council.
- Two former Garda station properties at Tarmonbarry and Ballintobber will be transferring to Roscommon County Council for use under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
- The former Garda station Ashford, Co. Wicklow will shortly transfer to Wicklow County Council for use under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
- Two former Garda station properties at Dromahair and Keshcarrigan are in the process of being leased to Leitrim County Council for community purposes.
It should be noted that buildings owned or managed by the OPW are primarily commercial offices, Garda stations, warehouses or others that are not suited to residential use. However, the OPW has actively engaged with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in providing information on any non-operational, vacant buildings owned. The Department then assesses those buildings in terms of what might be suitable for residential use.
Accommodation for Ukrainian refugees
In relation to the OPW’s contribution to the Government emergency humanitarian response, the OPW has provided a list of current vacant properties to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. At present, a large property in Shannon is currently being adapted for emergency accommodation.
This is separate to the rollout of the programme of rapid build modular homes that the OPW has been asked by Government to develop, on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who are the lead Government Department for the emergency humanitarian response. The OPW is the Sponsoring Agency for the purposes of rolling out the programme, with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage identifying sites that might be suitable. Those sites are then assessed by the Department of Children in terms of location, access to local facilities, with the OPW undertaking the necessary technical site assessments. When sites are identified as suitable, the OPW will be responsible for site preparation and the acquisition and installation of the home onto the sites. Thereafter, the Department of Children will take over the management of the sites and the housing units.
In that regard, the OPW is contributing three of its sites for development – at Cavan, Thurles and Claremorris. These sites are included in an initial phase of site development on State owned lands around the country to achieve a target of an initial 500 housing units by February 2023. The other sites in the first phase are in Cork and Sligo, with a number of other sites currently being assessed for further phases over the coming months, in order to reach the target number of homes.
In addition to the OPW’s contribution to the Government emergency humanitarian response, a large OPW property in Shannon is currently being adapted for emergency accommodation.
The OPW regularly engages with local authorities and Government Departments/Agencies with information on its vacant property stock in advance of open market disposals.
229. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the supports available to homeowners who have been impacted by flooding and cannot secure home flood insurance; the measures being taken to ensure State supports for homeowners affected by flooding with no home flood insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56486/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW is co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management through the Interdepartmental Flood Policy Co-ordination Group, across the following strategic and policy areas:
- Prevention - avoiding construction in flood-prone areas.
- Protection - taking feasible measures to protect areas against flooding.
- Preparedness - planning and responding to reduce the impacts of flood events.
There are a range of supports available to homeowners, including:
- The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is designated as the Lead Government Department with responsibility for severe weather events including flooding under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework. Local Authorities are designated as the lead agency for response to flooding in the Framework for Major Emergency Management.
- The Office of Public Works administered "Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme" which was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those homes that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those homes flooded by turloughs. This is a voluntary targeted once-off humanitarian scheme for homeowners whose primary dwelling house was flooded, significantly damaged and uninhabitable as a result of the major floods that occurred between 4 December, 2015 and 13 January, 2016; where their dwelling house is at significant risk of recurrence causing similar damage from flooding again and the homeowner is unable to obtain flood insurance or be protected by other possible flood protection or mitigation measures.
- The Department of Social Protection has an important role in assisting households in the immediate aftermath of emergency events through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to prevent hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
- The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment operates the humanitarian support scheme for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies providing assistance to those affected by flooding. The scheme provides a one-off emergency humanitarian support contribution (max. €20,000) towards the costs of returning business premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock.
230. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if persons in his Department sought additional financial supports from the State to cover the additional energy costs of running the swimming pool in the Garda College, Templemore, before taking the decision to close the pool; and if he will make a decision on the matter. [56508/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to recent responses to questions 54435/22, 54401/22, 54398/22, 54397/22 and 53325/22 in relation to the swimming pool in the Garda College, Templemore.
Issues relating to the energy and other running costs of the facilities at the College, as well as decisions relating to the closing of the pool, are a matter for An Garda Siochana and the College authorities.
231. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to date in implementing the national recovery and resilience plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56546/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is funded under the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) with Ireland in line to receive €915 million in grants over the lifetime of the Facility.
The RRF, as part of NextGenerationEU, represents an unprecedented response by the European Union to the public health and economic and social crisis caused by COVID-19.
In order to access this funding, Ireland has developed the NRRP. The plan sets out the sixteen investment projects and nine reform measures which will be supported covering the following priority areas:
- Advancing the Green Transition;
- Accelerating and Expanding Digital Reforms and Transformation;- Social and Economic Recovery and Job Creation.
The overall objective of the NRRP is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery effort, complementing and supporting the Government’s broader recovery effort.
The RRF is a performance-based instrument based on each project/reform meeting demanding milestones and targets. Ireland is expected to begin the process of submitting the first payment request to the Commission before the end of the year. Annual payment claims will follow this cycle up until 2026.
My Department is the Implementing Body for the NRRP, while a senior level NRRP Delivery Committee, chaired by my Department and deputy co-chaired by the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance, is responsible for driving implementation. However, responsibility for implementing the individual projects/reforms lies with the relevant Departments and bodies.
The Plan is the subject of a Financing Agreement between the Commission and Ireland which was signed by myself and the Minister for Finance, following approval by the Government.
Implementation of the overall plan is well underway. As part of regulatory reporting requirements Ireland has reported to the Commission on biannual progress in April 2022 and October 2022.
On 10 November 2022, Ireland hosted its first Annual Event, an RRF regulatory requirement. The Annual Event, which was opened by Minister of State Ossian Smyth, centred on the key green, digital and social priority areas and showcased some of Ireland’s NRRP projects. The attendance included European Commission delegates, the project managers for projects within the Plan as well as key stakeholders.
232. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the digital initiatives underway within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56547/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy on the digital initiatives underway within my Department (including the Office of Government Procurement) is set out in the tables below.
My Department leads on Connecting Government 2030, which is a Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service. This sets out an approach to deliver digital government for all, benefiting both society and the broader economy. Connecting Government 2030 addresses the Digitalisation of Public Services dimension of the national digital strategy, Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework. It also aligns with the targets set out in Civil Service Renewal 2030 and incorporates specific actions from the Programme for Government as well as addressing digital targets set by the EU.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Digital Initiative |
Summary of Purpose |
|
Gov.ie |
Provides a central portal where members of the public can access government services and information. It combines the websites of Government Departments and is a single source of trusted information that makes interactions with government more user-focused for customers. |
|
Digital Postbox |
Provides a safe and secure way for public bodies to communicate digitally with their customers and at the same time reduce costs and paper waste. For individuals, it provides a safe and efficient digital option to receive post from government bodies quickly, to get notifications, and to access their electronic post from anywhere at any time. |
|
EU Digital Covid Certificate Service |
Provides citizens with EU Digital COVID Certificates. Access to this service allowed test providers to generate EU Digital Certificates for all negative or ‘not detected’ rapid antigen or NAAT (RT-PCR) test results, in line with national and EU regulations. |
|
Life Events Portal |
A key priority under Connecting Government 2030 is to make it easier for people to access certain “life events”. A life event, such as registering a birth or a bereavement, can require contact with several public service organisations. The aim of the Life Events portal is to automate and be more proactive about aspects of these processes. |
|
Build to Share Applications |
Provides a range of applications and collaboration tools for use by public service bodies to support efficient delivery of corporate service such as ePQ, eSubmissions, ePMDS, eDocs and eCase. |
|
Single Customer View |
Provides a way for approved public-bodies to verify elements of the Public Service Identity dataset. |
|
Death Events Publishing Service |
Provides information on death events to public service bodies. This information contains details on all deaths notified to the General Register Office. |
|
Enterprise IT Service Management Service Desk for users of OGCIO services |
Provides a single enterprise-level IT Service Management Service Desk for service delivery to all customers of the Office of the Government Chief Information Office (OGCIO). |
|
Enterprise Project and Portfolio Management Solution |
Implements a common standardised approach to project management across the Public Service aligned to Action 10 of Our Public Service 2020. |
|
National Low Latency Platform (NLLP) |
The National Low Latency Platform, a National Recovery and Resilience Plan project, will ensure that the Public Service maximises the benefits and outcomes from 5G by developing the capacity for innovation through increased connectivity and the use of new technologies. |
|
Public Service Data Catalogue |
The Public Service Data Catalogue aims to promote openness and transparency around the data held by the Public Service by providing information on over 1,100 key datasets across almost 100 public bodies. |
|
FutureTech Challenge |
The FutureTech Challenge was a pilot competition and collaboration between the Irish public service and three industry partners. The initiative sought to drive innovation and transformative technology adoption to solve pressing public service challenges. The industry partners for the first challenge were Cisco, IBM, and AWS. The initiative is coordinated by DPER in partnership with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. This was completed in October this year and case studies will be published on the OPS website in due course. It is anticipated that a further iteration of the FutureTech Challenge will be facilitated by my Department. |
|
eRecruitment |
Continuing to enhance the efficiencies offered by a digital recruitment system within the Department. |
|
Hale & Hearty EU funded Action |
To develop a prototype app and knowledge base to demonstrate how organisations can make government data relevant, interesting and useful to public servants, researchers and the general public. This project was successfully concluded in May 2022. |
|
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Framework Agreement |
The provision of RPA software and training to the Irish Public Service is a priority for my Department. There is currently a RPA Framework Agreement in place to support Public Service Bodies in the development of RPA solutions in their areas of responsibility. A further iteration of the Framework is in development by my Department. The 2023 RPA Framework will build on the existing framework and incorporate advances in the field that have occurred since 2019. |
|
Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence |
As part of the commitments set out in the Public Service Innovation Strategy, my Department launched a Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for public servants in 2021. This programme aligns with our goal to upskill staff in important areas that foster innovation, in addition to driving transformative innovation by leveraging new and emerging technologies. Currently, this programme is reviewed and offered annually. |
Office of Government Procurement (OGP)
|
Digital Initiative |
Summary of Purpose |
|
Digitalisation of Suitability Assessment Questionnaire |
To reduce the burden of paper documentation for contracting authorities and bidders and to utilise a digital passport to automate the repetitive completion of digital documents in the procurement process. |
|
Introduction of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for use with the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) |
The implementation of BIM is a cross sector engagement of all Public Works stakeholders. This initiative will require a cultural change to bring digitalisation into the construction sector which will inevitably result in a more efficient procurement and delivery process. The OGP’s role is to develop a coordinated administrative, design, delivery and in use approach through the CWMF. |
|
eTenders Platform Programme |
Programme to procure and implement the next contract for the provision of the national electronic tendering platform, eTenders.gov.ie |
|
European Commission Technical Support Instrument Programme project to support the development of a strategy for the digital transformation of public procurement in Ireland |
The European Commission together with the OECD will provide technical support in the area of public procurement, with the purpose of providing the Irish Government with guidance and recommendations on the development of a strategy and a roadmap for the digital transformation of public procurement. |
233. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the major refurbishment works at Portlaoise Garda station has commenced; the expected timeframe of completion of these works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56558/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdditional time is needed to collate the required information. The OPW will respond to the Deputy directly on the matter.
234. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total number of projects funded under the Brexit adjustment reserve to date; the impact of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) of €5.47 billion provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (EU). Ireland’s allocation is €1.165 billion over the reference period – 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023.
The Government has already made significant allocations across a range of sectors which have faced increased costs due to Brexit, as well as meeting increased costs arising from changed regulatory and administration functions. Specific funding was provided in Budgets 2022 and 2023, as set out below and further funding is anticipated for 2023 in respect of projects such as the development of additional inspection facilities at Rosslare Europort.
My Department will be reviewing the full set of Brexit expenditure in submitting Ireland’s claim to the EU in respect of the BAR funds available to Ireland.
Initial allocations of €54m were included in the Revised Estimates for 2022.
|
DFHERIS |
Skillnet Digital Skills Programme and Erasmus after Brexit initiatives |
€14.5m |
|
OPW |
Infrastructure for checks and controls at Rosslare Europort |
€1.8m |
|
DAFM |
Initial funding for fisheries and horticulture measures |
€33 m |
|
DETE |
Variety of schemes, including customs readiness, to support business impacted by Brexit |
€5m |
Total allocations of €272 million were made in Budget 2023
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
238 |
|
Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
10 |
|
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
21 |
|
OPW |
2 |
|
Total Allocated |
272 |
Further allocations will be made as the impacts of Brexit continue to be analysed and appropriate support measures developed.
235. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he is taking to manage the significant shift in inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions that are impacting public capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56576/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere have been significant and sustained increases in the prices of a broad range of commonly used materials in the construction sector throughout 2021 in the aftermath of the pandemic. Energy prices also showed marked increases in 2021 and have further escalated in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Both represent significant input costs for construction projects and inflation is a risk that contractors have been expected to bear under the public works contracts for a defined period.
These inflationary provisions have operated reasonably effectively over the years since their introduction, albeit in times of relative price stability. However, the price movements experienced on construction materials since Q2 of 2021 have arisen suddenly and with no warning. In response to this challenge, I have introduced a series of measures to address the risk posed.
In November 2021 the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) issued procurement guidance to assist public bodies in managing the challenges they face concluding ‘live’ tenders.
With reference to future tenders, the OGP published interim amendments to the provisions in the public works contracts on 7 January 2022. Within certain parameters, these amendments reduce the level of risk of extraordinary materials price inflation that contractors have to bear, while also enabling the Exchequer to obtain cost reductions should exceptional price reductions occur during the course of the works. The measures are designed to encourage confidence in the tender process and to mitigate against the over-provision for price inflation in tender prices. However, they do not cater for fuel/energy price increases or supply chain disruption.
While these changes had been expected to bring greater stability to contracting arrangements on projects whose tenders were received after 18 January 2022, sustained feedback from Government Departments and their Agencies that successful delivery of priority projects included in the NDP was being jeopardised by further inflationary pressures associated with the war in Ukraine. Departments have reported issues with fuel costs and supply chain disruption, including reduced competition for public works contracts and challenges relating to projects underway during 2021.
Through extensive engagement with industry and public sector stakeholders involved in the delivery of the National Development Plan 2021-2030(NDP), it is clear that the delivery of many critical public capital projects was being put at risk due to the rapid increases in material and energy prices. For contractors who tendered for projects prior to the onset of these inflationary pressures, this issue was particularly acute. In the interest of safeguarding public projects that are already under construction and to mitigate the risks of significant losses being sustained by contractors, I announced details in May for the introduction of an “Inflation/Supply Chain Delay Co-operation Framework" for those parties engaged under a public works contract.
The Framework facilitates both parties to engage with one another for the purpose of addressing the impacts of this most recent onset of exceptional inflation and supply chain disruption and operates on an ex gratia basis. The Framework sets down the approaches and the parameters within which parties to a public works contract calculate additional costs attributable to material and fuel price fluctuations using price indices published by the Central Statistics Office.
In recognition that neither party is responsible for the global events that have given rise to inflation, it is proposed that the additional inflation costs be apportioned between the parties, with, subject to budgetary constraints, the State bearing up to 70% of the additional inflationary related costs. The Framework applies to payments made from 1 January 2022.
The key provisions of the Inflation Co-operation Framework are:
- It operates from the point at which the parties agree to engage until the project is completed or the parties elect to withdraw by giving notice to the other.
- Given that further inflationary pressures have been building since the beginning of 2022, it provides for the back-payment of a proportion of inflation related costs (on materials and energy) to 1 January 2022 on those contracts which pre-date the introduction of the interim amendments (contracts with a revision date earlier than 7 January 2022).
- The inflation analysis is undertaken using relevant indices published by the Central Statistics Office.
- Going forward, for the duration of the framework, additional inflation costs (for materials and energy) are calculated in a similar manner.
- For more recent contracts (i.e. those that commenced under the amended forms of contract), the framework permits the recovery of costs arising from fluctuations in energy prices.
- And finally, for all contracts currently in progress, where it can be shown that a supply chain disruption that has arisen since 01 January 2022 that has led to a delay in completing the project, contractors will not be held liable to pay liquidated damages for the late delivery of the project.
The use of the framework is voluntary, but participation by the parties is strongly encouraged. It represents a pragmatic and proportionate response to the current challenges caused by inflation that are not within either party’s control.
Guidance, workbook templates and forms of agreement have been published by the Office of Government Procurement and are available on the Capital Works Management Framework website: constructionprocurement.gov.ie/. There is a new dedicated page ‘Details of Inflation/ Supply Chain Delay Co-operation Framework’, which can be accessed directly from the link in the top banner on the website.
The measures available under the Framework strike an important balance between the additional costs incurred by the State to support Contractors engaged on public projects and the State’s ability to deliver the NDP including housing delivery, whilst providing value for money for the taxpayer.
The OGP will be further amending the conditions of the public works contracts so that these measures are incorporated into the contractual framework on a permanent basis.
236. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 8 February 2022, if he will confirm whether any of the properties in Galway outlined therein are still currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56577/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works advise me that the following table provides an update on the status of the Galway properties outlined in Appendix 1, Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 8 February 2022.
|
Ballymoe |
Garda Station |
Under consideration for community use. The OPW is currently engaging with a community group regarding the licence. |
|
Kiltullagh |
Garda Station |
Being prepared for disposal by auction in 2023. Complex Title issues to be resolved prior to disposal. |
|
Gort |
Former RDF Site |
Transferred under The Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets (DPER Circular 11/15) to Galway County Council for €75,000 on the 6 May 2022. |
|
Letterfrack |
Site at rear of Garda Station |
Site being prepared for disposal. Litigation ongoing. |
|
Letterfrack |
Site (c. 0.84 acres) |
Transfer to the National Parks and Wildlife Service being progressed. |
|
Athenry |
Site |
Being prepared for disposal. Under consideration by Galway County Council. |
|
Mountbellew |
Site |
Alternative State use being examined. |
