Thursday, 8 Dec 2022

Written Answers Nos. 217-224

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (217)

Patrick O'Donovan

Ceist:

217. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance the funding that was provided to Limerick from his Department in 2022, broken down by project in tabular form. [61577/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not provide any funding to Limerick in 2022. The roles and functions of the Department of Finance would generally not involve allocations of funding to any county for any reason.

Oireachtas Members' Expenses

Ceisteanna (218)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

218. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the purpose and dispensation schedule for the parliamentary activities allowance for members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61400/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Parliamentary Activities Allowance (formerly known as the Party Leader's Allowance) is provided for in the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1938 (the Principal Act) as amended, most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act, 2014.

The Allowance is paid to the parliamentary leader of a qualifying Party in relation to expenses arising from the parliamentary activities of the Party. Payments are made in respect of members of the Party elected to Dáil Éireann and members elected/nominated to Seanad Éireann at the last preceding general election or a subsequent bye-election or, in the case of Seanad Éireann, nominated to it after the last preceding general election.

The legislation also provides that payments may be made to a Member of Dáil Éireann, who at the last preceding general election or at a subsequent by-election was elected as a Member other than as a member of a qualifying Party – i.e. an Independent Member. A similar provision in the Act provides for an annual payment for Independent Senators.

Section 3 of the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act, 2014, amended the Principal Act by inserting section 10H which lists the different categories of expenditure that are regarded as expenses arising from parliamentary activities.

The current annual rates payable with effect from 1 Oct 2022 are calculated on the following basis.  Payments are made monthly.

Qualifying Parties:
TDs	Per Member
First 10 members	€68,308
11 members to 30	€54,645
More than 30 members	€27,331
Senators
First 5 members	€44,665
More than 5 members	€22,333
Qualifying Independent Members:
TD	€39,303
Senator	€22,333

Note: The legislation provides that, in the case of a qualifying party forming part of the Government, the combined allowances due in respect of TDs of that party are reduced by one third.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (219)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

219. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61429/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The following rates are payable to members of Interview/Selection Boards in the Public Appointments Service. These rates have been in place since the 1st July 2013.

Retired Public Servants (on pension):

Secretary General	€377
Deputy Secretary	€295
Assistant Secretary	€200
Principal	€150
Assistant Principal	€130

As advised in my response to the Deputy’s representation on 22 April 2022, the rates paid to retired Public Servants for serving on Interview Boards are currently subject to a review by my officials.

My Department is continuing to engage with the relevant stakeholders to obtain all of the necessary data and evidence to inform policy decisions.  I expect the review to be finalised in the first half of 2023. 

State Properties

Ceisteanna (220)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

220. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans that are in place for disused Garda stations, for example, Dalkey and Kill O’The Grange Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61430/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works (OPW) 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.

Under the 2012/2013 Policing Plans of An Garda Síochána, 139 stations were identified as surplus to An Garda Síochána’s requirements and reverted to the Office of Public Works to identify an alternative State use or manage their disposal. In 2016, following a review by An Garda Síochána and the Policing Authority, six stations were identified for re-opening.

Of the 139 Garda stations that were closed under the 2013/2013 policing plans, 31 remain.  Schedule A attached sets out their status and future plans. 

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).

In line with OPW Policy, alternative state use was explored in respect of the former Garda station, Kill O’ the Grange, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, with Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council confirming their interest in acquiring the Property.  This property is currently in the process of being transferred to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council under The Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets.

As no alternative State use has been identified for the former Garda stations at  Tubbermore Road and Sorrento Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. These properties will be prepared for disposal by public auction, upon completion of the First Registration process with the Property Registration Authority of Ireland.

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 that were transferred to Tipperary County Council for social housing.

- Two former Garda station properties at Goleen and Adrigole that were transferred to Cork County Council for social housing.

In addition, there are a number of properties that have been transferred or are in the process of being transferred to local authorities and the Land Development Agency, as follows:

- The former Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum which will be transferring to the Land Development Agency for housing purposes

- A further seven buildings and a site that are in the process of transferring to Cork County Council for social housing

- Two former Garda residences that are transferring to Tipperary County Council for social housing.

- A property at Carrigrohane, Cork City that is in the process of being leased to Cork City Council for housing purposes.

- The former Garda station at Inagh that is to be used as a local housing office by Inagh Housing Association following its transfer to Clare County Council.

- Two former Garda station properties at Tarmonbarry and Ballintobber recently transferred 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

The OPW has provided a list of its vacant properties, including former Garda stations, to DCEDIY, DHLGH and the relevant local authorities so that they can assess them for suitability for social or humanitarian housing purposes.  The OPW continues to engage with other State bodies on a regular basis in this regard.

Where either the local authorities or other State bodies do not require the properties in question, they are prepared for sale through public auction.

Further information on vacant Garda stations is available at the link:

Vacant Garda stations

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (221)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

221. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the flagship projects that will be developed in the western region following the announcement of €217 million in funding under two European regional development fund, ERDF programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61443/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) is the Managing Authority for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme in the Western region. While the relevant EU regulations do not refer to flagship projects, they do provide for 'operations of strategic importance'. The "Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027" is published by the NWRA and available at the link:

Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027

It sets out on page 83 initial outline proposals regarding operations of strategic importance and the NWRA will make further details regarding such operations available in due course.

Regeneration Projects

Ceisteanna (222)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

222. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the Northern and Western Regional Assembly will be supporting the sustainable regeneration of towns and urban centres; if this is in conjunction with the Government’s town centre first policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61445/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

Under article 11(2) of the European Regional Development Fund regulation, Ireland is required to allocate 8% of ERDF resources to Sustainable Urban Development. The two Irish ERDF programmes outline plans to support the sustainable regeneration of towns and urban centres in conjunction with the Government’s Town Centre First Policy. I appointed the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) as Managing Authority for the 2021-27 ERDF programme in the Northern and Western region. The NWRA will be in charge of the implementation of the programme in that region and will set out further detail in due course.

Public Sector Staff

Ceisteanna (223)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

223. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is any flexibility with remote working for those employed in the public service who have medical complications and who want to increase their hours of remote working and continue carrying out their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61504/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working.  In this context, my Department, in collaboration with Civil Service employers, Trade Unions and Staff Associations, has developed a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service which was published in March 2022.  The Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the Civil Service and has also been shared with Public Service employers with a view to providing a consistent approach across the wider public service.

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.  In developing their own blended working policies Civil Service organisations have the flexibility to determine matters such as the roles that are suitable for blended working and the proportion of time individual employees work remotely versus onsite.  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.  Any requirements an employee may have for flexible working arrangements should be discussed directly with their employer. 

Public Private Partnerships

Ceisteanna (224)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

224. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total annual expenditure on PPP-related charges; if he will outline the projections for future growth in expenditure related to PPP charges in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61508/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

The Deputy may be interested to know that financial information for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects are published on the PPP.Gov.ie website. 

There are two sets of financial data under the Projects tab on the website.  The first data sheet entitled Contract Value and Financial Commitment gives information of the various PPP projects by sector which were in operation before end-2021.  The sheet includes details of the operational date of the PPP, the construction capital cost of each project, the overall PPP-related charges made to end-2021, paid through annual unitary payments, the overall projected future PPP-related unitary charges due for the remainder of the contracts, other payments related to the PPP projects, such as enabling works (where available), the projected total costs to the end of each of the contracts, the end-date of each contract and the name of the PPP company that delivered the project. 

The second data sheet gives an indicative annualised breakdown of unitary payments from 2022 to the completion of the contract for each individual project, subject to an indexation of 2% per annum.   The PPP-related unitary charges for 2022 will amount to approximately €350 million with the average annual payment from 2022 out to 2032 in the region of €330 million, thereafter the payments will decrease as contracts are fulfilled. 

The following table sets out the overall annualised amounts scheduled to be made in respect of unitary payments from 2022 to 2052.

Year	Unitary Payment (€)
2022	351,147,530
2023	342,227,779
2024	323,037,232
2025	323,977,340
2026	333,048,166
2027	328,347,562
2028	318,322,492
2029	319,806,652
2030	321,059,941
2031	330,695,027
2032	329,424,265
2033	324,107,838
2034	320,806,664
2035	293,565,891
2036	264,314,489
2037	245,574,982
2038	247,644,797
2039	240,202,117
2040	226,489,426
2041	209,880,913
2042	182,217,125
2043	86,362,318
2044	74,786,356
2045	48,175,645
2046	10,736,201
2047	100,600
2048	0
2049	6,891,060
2050	7,353,422
2051	18,585,711
2052	13,161,794