Tuesday, 21 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 246-265

Office of Public Works

Ceisteanna (246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 252)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of CCTV cameras by a company (details supplied) procured by the OPW in use in the Houses of the Oireachtas; the date they were installed; the duration of these contracts; if the procurement of these cameras was part of a tender process; if so, the nature of that tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8478/23]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

247. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will outline the impact on people’s data protection rights arising from the procurement, installation and operation of CCTV camera systems by a company (details supplied); the national security risks with regards to the installation and operation of these cameras; the human rights implications of contracting with this company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8479/23]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

248. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the scope and remit of the OPW’s review of best practice regarding CCTV systems by a company (details supplied); if he will publish the terms of reference; the experts who will conduct the review; the bodies who will be consulted as part of the review; the duration of the review and expected deadline for publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8480/23]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

249. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide details of all public buildings that use CCTV cameras by a company (details supplied). [8481/23]

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

250. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW and the Houses of the Oireachtas will remove all CCTV manufactured by a company (details supplied), pending the outcome of the ‘review of best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8482/23]

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

252. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total spent on equipment produced by a company (details supplied) for use in the Leinster House campus and other State-owned property, in tabular form, including a detailed breakdown of the make-up of the expenditure, including cameras and so on, on an annual basis since they were first purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8665/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 250, inclusive, and 252 together.

The CCTV cameras which are installed in OPW buildings form part of the security installations of these buildings. The OPW does not release any information regarding security installations.

Question No. 247 answered with Question No. 246.

Question No. 248 answered with Question No. 246.

Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 246.

Question No. 250 answered with Question No. 246.

National Lottery

Ceisteanna (251)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

251. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the recommendations from the independent review of the distribution and utilisation of lottery funding carried out by an organisation (details supplied) and published in December 2022 that he intends to act on; if he will provide a timeline for implementation of those recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8568/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

In 2021, my predecessor, Minister McGrath, informed Government of his intention to commission an independent review of the distribution of National Lottery related funding to Good Causes. After a competitive process, Indecon Consultants were appointed to carry out the review.

The essential purpose of the review is to reinforce the sustainability of the National Lottery as a source of funding for good causes into the future, by reviewing the current model for distribution and utilisation of Lottery in the light of best international practice.

My Department and Indecon together carried out a public consultation process, a survey of the general population, a survey of beneficiaries and a review of lottery operations in the UK, New Zealand and Finland.

On foot of the review, a number of reform options have been developed, including:

- ensuring a greater acknowledgement of the National Lottery by beneficiaries and a reduction and refocussing of schemes that are supported, without reducing allocations for individual schemes;

- the creation of a Cross-Departmental liaison group to promote a greater acknowledgement of National Lottery support, data collection and any necessary coordination on any other operational issues;

- creation of a database of beneficiaries;

- the publication of an annual report setting out information on the beneficiaries of good causes funding; and

- regular independent evaluation of the impact of National Lottery disbursement, and the creation of an open fund for which applications can be made.

Ultimately, I believe this report sets out a viable framework for enhancing the sustainability of the National Lottery as a source of funding for good causes into the future.

My officials will be engaging in the coming months with the relevant Government Departments in order to progress the implementation of these reforms, beginning in 2023 and which will be sequenced across 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 246.

Departmental Advertising

Ceisteanna (253)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

253. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department and all agencies under the remit of his Department in 2022 and in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8691/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The information requested by the Deputy for my Department, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which is part of my Department, and the bodies under its aegis for the periods specified is set out in the tables below.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) have advised the Department that due to the nature of its role, gathering the information required by the Deputy will be a considerable task. However, PAS has assured the Department that they will commence an exercise to collate the information requested and will reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

Year*	Details	Cost
2022	River Deel Flood Relief Scheme Public Consultation Notice (hardcopy)	€6,894
	River Slaney Flood Relief Scheme Public Consultation Notice (hardcopy)	€1,074

*No advertising spend to date in 2023

Office of Government Procurement

Year	Details	Cost
2022	Double page advertorial (hard and soft copy) in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report -Eolas Magazine	€5,412*
2023	Double page advertorial (hard and soft copy) in the annual ‘Technology & Innovation' Report & 'Digital Government' report -Eolas Magazine	€5,412*

*Fee charged covers the January and May editions

Bodies under the aegis of the Department

	Date	Details	Cost
Office of Public Works	2022	Promotion/marketing	€466,004
		General advertising	€434,509
		Irish language advertising	€3,552
	2023	General advertising	€14,797
		Promotion/marketing	€5,898
		Irish language advertising	€200
National Shared Services Office	2022	ICT Recruitment Campaign	€244
	2023	-	-
State Laboratory	2022	Hard copy advertisement for recruitment competition	€418
	2023	-	-
Office of the Ombudsman	2022	Irish Language Scheme ad	€5,762
		CIC clinic Limerick newspaper ads	€2,334
		IPA Publication	€2,165
		Senior Times Magazine ad	€1,721
		Senior Citizen Guide Magazine	€1,470
		CIC clinic Limerick newspaper ads	€1,444
		Big Issue ad	€1,228
		Irish Language Scheme ad on website	€603
		Ad in Law Society Magazine	€369
	2023	Senior Citizen Guide Magazine	€2,214

*No advertising spend in 2022 or January 2023 for the Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (254)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

254. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of communications staff currently employed in his Department; the cost of these staff for 2022; the expected cost for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8709/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently 12 staff working in communications roles in my Department: 1 Principal Officer; 1 Press and Information Officer; 3 Assistant Principals; 2 Higher Executive Officers; 1 Administrative Officer; 3 Executive Officers; 1 Clerical Officer.

The salary costs of staff in communications roles in my Department in 2022 was €613,895. The costs for 2023 is estimated at €668,022.

State Bodies

Ceisteanna (255)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

255. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on the need to replace or reconstitute an organisation (details supplied); his views on which Department such an organisation should be based; and his plans to promote transparency in Government Departments and agencies. [8739/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department previously provided grant funding to Benefacts between the period 2015-2022. The project was funded as a pathfinder initiative in the area of data analytics on the non-profit sector. Benefacts was initially co-funded with philanthropy, however, in recent years the Department had been providing the majority of funding to the entity.

In 2019, the Department received an independent report, which it commissioned to provide analysis of the market for data on the non-profit sector. This report examined, inter alia , issues around the demand for the data concerned; methodologies and technologies used; the potential for direct provision by the State of these services itself, and; the maturity of the market to provide these services efficiently. On foot of this report, a review was undertaken in 2020 which found that the business case for the continued funding of Benefacts by this Department was no longer justified and accordingly the decision was made to terminate funding.

Recognising that other public service bodies - with direct policy involvement in the not-for-profit sector - may have wished to consider whether they had an appreciable business case to continue funding Benefacts, my Department agreed to fund the initiative up to the end of 2021. This provision was made to facilitate relevant public service bodies to consider their position and to assess all options in relation to their respective business needs concerning data on the not-for-profit sector.

In April 2021, my Department reaffirmed its 2020 decision to the parties concerned. Furthermore, in acknowledgment of the impact of Covid-19 on this deliberative process, DPER sanctioned a final three month extension of funding to Benefacts up to the 31st March 2022. Despite affording a total period of approximately 20 months' notice - to allow the identification of another primary funder - no alternative funding source was identified from public service bodies that used Benefacts.

The factors influencing the original decision to terminate funding have not changed materially and, consequently, my Department has no plans to reconstitute Benefacts.

My Department understands that the Department of Rural and Community Development have indicated a willingness to explore the potential digitalisation of the funding process of the not for profit sector, in addition to the database already provided by the Charities Regulator. Issues in relation to any such potential proposal are a matter for the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Finally, in respect of promoting transparency across Government, I wish to advise the Deputy that Ireland has been member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) since 2014. The OGP is an international initiative to promote the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability and stakeholder participation in support of democracy and inclusive growth. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in the coming weeks, my Department will begin consulting with the public on the development of Ireland's fourth Open Government National Action Plan. This Action Plan will be co-created with representatives of Civil Society through Ireland's Open Government Partnership Round Table, which is coordinated by my Department.

Heritage Sites

Ceisteanna (256)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

256. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent vandalism of the Lia Fáil at Tara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8410/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

On the 7th of February, my office was notified of a graffiti incident to the Lia Fáil at Tara. The same day, an inspection involving representatives from the Office of Public Works - National Monuments Conservation Unit and the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage took place with An Garda Síochána in attendance.

Conservation specialists from the Office of Public Works undertook conservation and cleaning of the monument on the 8th of February.

Vandalism of this nature to our national heritage is entirely unacceptable. It should be noted that a campaign, launched in July 2021 by the OPW and the National Monuments Service, aimed to highlight the vulnerability of Ireland’s archaeological heritage and how the public may assist in its protection. This 'Protect our Past' social media campaign has run regularly since on OPW social media channels and is currently being promoted again in light of the vandalism to the Lia Fáil.

Heritage Sites

Ceisteanna (257)

Kathleen Funchion

Ceist:

257. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the purpose for which the old Garda station in Stoneyford will be used (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8804/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Garda station at Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny is an operational Garda Station.

The attached Garda residence is currently being assessed for alternative State use, in line with the OPW's policy on the disposal of property, which is to:

- firstly, identify any potential alternative State use;

- where an alternative State use is not identified, the property will be considered for disposal subject to prevailing market conditions, and

- where the options above are not feasible, the OPW will consider community use subject to a detailed written proposal from the group in terms of its capacity to repair, insure and maintain the property.

The residence at Stoneyford Garda station is being assessed for alternative State use as a potential longer-term project.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (258)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

258. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the details of the supports that his Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported, where relevant; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8872/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s armed forces, Ireland has welcomed over 68,000 Ukrainian people who have fled the war in their country. The Government has provided key humanitarian supports for people arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. These supports have ranged from the provision of accommodation, social protection supports, education and supports for community response.

My Department is continuing to work with other Government Departments in respect of estimating potential resources that may be required to address the refugee crisis and the impacts on public expenditure. Significant resources have been made available to this end through my Department in order to support the Government’s response. At the end of 2022, approximately €1 billion has been reported by Departments as spent on the provision of humanitarian supports for refugees. Budget 2023 set out a contingency of €2 billion for Ukraine Humanitarian Provision in 2023. Just over €1.5 billion has been allocated to fund Departments in their efforts to assist people who have arrived from Ukraine.

My Department has responsibility for leading on European cohesion policy and the related cohesion policy funds at national level. These funds include the European Regional Development Fund under my own Department, the European Social Fund under Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Asylum Migration and Refugee Fund under the Department of Justice and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the European Maritime and Aquaculture Fund under DAFM and the Just Transition Fund under Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. My Department is also responsible for REACT-EU (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe). REACT EU is an initiative under the European Recovery Instrument, Next Generation EU, to respond to the impact of COVID-19 and prepare a green, digital and resilient recovery of the economy.

In April and again in September 2022, the European Commission advanced changes to the regulations governing cohesion policy funds which allowed them to be allocated to meet the needs of Ukrainian refuges. While funding across the range of funds was almost entirely committed, my Department was able to draw on the 2022 REACT-EU allocation of €53.3m.

Following examination of the range of services being delivered to Ukrainian refugees and the extent to which these align with EU funding criteria, €53.3m in unprogrammed REACT EU funds was directed via the European Social Fund to the Department of Social Protection to support a number of measures assisting Ukrainian refugees on arrival in Ireland including, for example, reception, processing, transport and short-term and medium term accommodation. In November 2022 the European Social Fund Programme was amended to implement same and the amendment was adopted by the European Commission.

Additionally, my Department is directly responsible for the supports provided by the Office for Public Works (OPW). Costs to date stand at €2.4 million on the OPW Vote. This spend relates to supports for building works, provision of temporary structures and associated costs to allow to for increased numbers at receptions centres and direct provision centres.

Departmental Legal Cases

Ceisteanna (259)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

259. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of discrimination cases taken and won against his Department over the past ten years, under each of the grounds as applicable, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8894/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I wish to advise the Deputy that no discrimination cases were taken and won against my Department over the past ten years.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (260)

John Lahart

Ceist:

260. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of the sports capital funding will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8178/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Thousands of projects have been completed under the scheme and the Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The final grants under the latest round were announced were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.

Details of all allocations, on a county basis, can be found on the Department's website.

The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage.

Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review is complete and I met with the Review team recently to finalise this work. I expect to be in a position to publish this Review shortly. Any recommendations arising from the finalised Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.

In relation to funding, I will continue to engage with my Government colleagues to maximise the total funding envelope available for the Programme in the years ahead. Clearly the level of demand will be a key determinant but every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable.

Irish Sign Language

Ceisteanna (261)

Ivana Bacik

Ceist:

261. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by her Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of her Department. [8249/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am advised that my Department and agencies under its remit, continue to implement the relevant provisions of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.

The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 (the Act) recognises the right of Irish Sign Language (ISL) users to use ISL as their native language, and to develop and preserve it. The Act places a statutory duty on all public bodies to provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing of or seeking to access services.

In regard to services provided by my Department and agencies under my remit, free interpretation services are made available on request, in, for example, our national cultural institutions and at Departmental events, such as the annual National Famine Commemoration.

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (262)

Joan Collins

Ceist:

262. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will intervene to ensure that museum staff pensioners get paid their FEMPI pension payment restoration with immediate effect (details supplied). [8256/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Pay matters are part of the day-to-day operations of the National Cultural Institutions and, as such, are outside of my remit. That said, following a request for an update, the National Museum of Ireland has advised that it engaged a specialist service provider to address this issue in 2022. The work of the specialist provider has recently been completed and all affected former staff at the Museum have been issued letters advising them of their new and backdated entitlements. I understand that payments, including backdated payments, will all be processed by the National Shared Services Office which makes payments on behalf of the Museum no later than 16 March.

Arts Policy

Ceisteanna (263)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

263. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports available for artists particularly in relation to sourcing locations for studio spaces which is a huge problem for artists in County Kerry [8333/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Much of the nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres were initiated and funded by local authorities including those serving County Kerry. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist and maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific Grant Schemes.

Under Budget 2023 I have secured a comprehensive package for arts and culture and this includes €7 million in additional capital funding for artists’ spaces and climate adaptation, including a new scheme, details of which I hope to launch in the near future in consultation with the local authorities.

National Cultural Institutions

Ceisteanna (264)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has met directly with the director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art to date in 2023. [8359/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

My Department is committed to providing ongoing support to the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs), maintaining regular contact with all NCI senior management to ensure that any matters that arise are dealt with expeditiously.

With specific regard to the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), officials from my Department keep in regular contact with the Director and her senior management team. These engagements include the formal quarterly liaison meetings required under my Department’s corporate governance procedures, the most recent of which was held just last week between the Department and IMMA.

I personally visited IMMA most recently on 2 February 2023 in advance of the announcement of four new appointments to the IMMA Board and also to launch of the Irish Gothic exhibition of works spanning the career of Irish artist Patricia Hurl. During this visit, I met the Director, the chair of the Board, board members and members of the IMMA team.

Tourism Funding

Ceisteanna (265)

John Lahart

Ceist:

265. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has plans to provide supplementary funding to those projects that may need it as a consequence of rampant building inflation in the past two years or so that has seen a number of projects that were originally within the scale of allocations but which have clearly now escalated well beyond the allocated element; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8414/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

My Department supports the development of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports, Media, and the Irish language through a number of programmes of capital expenditure. Funding for individual projects must be met within allocated budgets. There is regular engagement at Ministerial and Departmental level to ensure that expenditure is managed within fiscal parameters. Where project costs rise due to construction sector inflation, this will be considered as part of the overall budgetary management of my Department and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform as appropriate.