Tuesday, 17 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 162-181

Insurance Coverage

Ceisteanna (162)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

162. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that small construction consultants are experiencing difficulties in obtaining professional indemnity cover, with the limit of indemnity being reduced from €6.5 million to €2 million in some cases, and a rise in premium of a multiple of four times; this is putting consultants in serious danger of not being able to carry out public works; if he will investigate the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44998/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Government is aware that a small number of areas can face difficulties in terms of affordability and availability of insurance, including in the construction sector. As the Deputy will be aware, neither Government nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, nor do we have the power to direct insurance companies to provide cover to specific businesses, individuals, or groups, or to deliver it at a certain rate.

The terms and conditions, including indemnity limits of cover, are a matter of contract between an insurer and customer, and Government cannot intervene. This position is reinforced by the EU Solvency II Directive insurance framework. As such, the Government faces constraints in seeking to address this matter.

I understand that the global insurance and reinsurance market for professional indemnity insurance is currently ‘hardening’, meaning it is becoming more expensive and subject to stricter terms and conditions than before. My officials have raised this issue directly with providers and the Insurance Ireland, the representative body for the insurance industry. They have indicated that the professional indemnity market for the construction sector has been an issue in particular since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. As a small, open market, Ireland is not immune to these global trends.

Nonetheless, we have therefore prioritised the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which aims to improve the cost and availability of insurance for all groups,. Considerable progress has been achieved, with the vast bulk of the 66 actions contained therein now delivered or ongoing. It is intended that the cumulative impact of these actions will be an improved insurance environment for all, including those in the construction sector. However, the issue of all classes of professional indemnity cover will continue to be raised in both political and official level engagement with the insurance industry.

Housing Schemes

Ceisteanna (163)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

163. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Finance the reason the purchase of second-hand homes by first-time buyers was not included in the help to buy scheme in Budget 2024; if he will commit to re-examining this position with a view to widening first-time buyers' opportunities to own their own home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45002/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Help to Buy (HTB) is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive offers a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in Section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.

An increase in the supply of new housing remains a central and priority aim of Government policy. For this reason, HTB is specifically designed to encourage an increase in demand for new build homes in order to support the construction of an additional supply of such properties. For a property to qualify for HTB, it must be new or converted for use as a dwelling, having not previously been used as a dwelling.

A move to include properties which were previously used as residential homes/second-hand properties within the scope of the scheme itself would not improve the effectiveness of the relief; on the contrary, it could serve to dilute the incentive effect of the measure in terms of encouraging additional supply. Extending the HTB scheme in this way would provide no incentive effect to encourage the building of new homes and would be likely to have a significant dead-weight element and a high Exchequer cost. For these reasons, there are no plans at present to extend the HTB scheme to include such properties.

Tax Code

Ceisteanna (164)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

164. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 475 of 11 September and 160 of 20 September 2023, if he will consider an amendment to the Finance Act 2024 that would eliminate the anomaly in the approved retirement fund legislation whereby, upon the death of an ARF holder, foster children are treated under the ‘others’ category rather than the ‘child’ category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45107/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

As I have previously indicated in my response to the Deputy, I am aware of this differential treatment and my officials are examining the issue. In this context it is worth noting the Commission on Taxation and Welfare have recommended that assets held within an ARF should be treated for inheritance tax purposes in the same way as other assets where inherited by anyone other than the individual’s spouse, and therefore subject to both Income Tax and CAT.

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (165)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if there is a grant for assistance with fuel for a driver who drives an unmodified car but assists with driving their disabled spouse to and from medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45158/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The Department has oversight of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) only. The scheme provides VAT and VRT reliefs as well as a fuel grant to qualifying disabled drivers and disabled passengers. Qualifying disabled drivers and disabled passengers are those that have been assessed as meeting one of six medical DDS eligibility criteria and who thus hold a Primary Medical Certificate. They must also own, or be transported by a family member/organisation and owner of the vehicle, in a qualifying vehicle. To qualify for DDS provisions, the vehicle must have a 600 cc or less engine size and it must be adapted to the needs of the disabled driver or the disabled passenger. Based on the information supplied by the Deputy the vehicle in question would not qualify for the DDS fuel grant as it has not been adapted for the person being transported.

A NDIS Transport Working Group chaired by Minister Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children. Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth recently published a final report arising from a review of mobility and transport supports including the DDS. The report considered principles that should underpin holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability.

The report also endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects. The report also notes that the proposals are a clear deliverable for the near future.

Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. Under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach, officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. Department of Finance officials are proactively engaging with this work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability.

Insurance Coverage

Ceisteanna (166)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

166. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance for an update in relation to insurance measures which are available to residents living in flood risk areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45228/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Government policy in relation to flooding is focused on the development of a sustainable, planned and risk-based approach to dealing with this issue. The cornerstone of this approach is the €1.3 billion committed to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030. Where defences have been built, there is a reasonable expectation that insurers will provide cover.

The insurance industry has informed my Department that firms examine the claims history of the individual risk, the risk of flooding in the area and consider any flood protection measures when taking any underwriting decision. Discussions on flood cover with the insurance industry continue to take place as part of an OPW-Insurance Ireland Memorandum of Understanding Working Group that meets on a regular basis. This focuses upon how the levels of insurance cover might be improved in areas where flood defence works have been completed. The Department also participates in the OPW chaired Interdepartmental Flood Policy Coordination Group along with the Department of Housing and Local Government and other stakeholders.

Arising from this, separate industry and Central Bank of Ireland surveys indicate the majority of policies in areas with fixed defences have flood cover. However, it is acknowledged that some households are still experiencing difficulties, particularly in areas with demountable flood defences - these are systems that require a degree of human intervention in their mobilisation.

Separately, the Department has regular meetings with Insurance Ireland on a range of insurance-related issues including flood cover. The Department of Finance will continue to monitor and assess the provision of flood cover, including the impact of climate change on insurance over the long term, including through policy channels such as the European Commission and OECD.

Of note also is that Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be accessed at [e-mail]. Likewise, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers in Ireland, can be contacted. They have access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers in sourcing cover. They can be reached at 01 6613067.

As has been the case, my Department will continue to monitor and assess any flood insurance matters, including through: its participation in the OPW and Insurance Ireland Working Group; actively encourage industry to have a more responsive approach to the matter; engage with the Central Bank of Ireland; and consider domestic and international policy developments to these issues as they arise.

Finally, the Deputy should be assured that both I and Minister of State Carroll MacNeill will continue to engage on all aspects of insurance reform, including flood cover issues, and that every effort is being made to encourage a responsive approach from the insurance industry. As Minister for Finance, I have policy responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial services regulation, including for the insurance sector. It should be noted that the provision of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter for those providers and is based on an assessment of the risks they are willing to accept. Therefore, under the EU Solvency II Directive, neither the Minister for Finance nor the Central Bank of Ireland can compel insurers to provide such cover.

Tax Exemptions

Ceisteanna (167)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

167. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if he will make psychotherapy and counselling services VAT exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45229/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under domestic legislation, professional medical care services recognised as such by the Department of Health are exempt from VAT.

Professional medical care services recognised by the Department of Health are generally those medical care services supplied by health professionals who are enrolled, registered, regulated, or designated on the appropriate statutory register provided for under the relevant legislation in force in the State or equivalent legislation applicable in other countries. This includes health professionals registered under the Medical Practitioners Act 2007, the Nurses Act 1985 and those engaged in a regulated profession designated under Section 4 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005.

Statutory Instrument No. 170 of 2018 (Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (Regulations 2018) of 2 July 2018 designates psychotherapists and counsellors as a regulated profession and establishes the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board. Professional counselling and psychotherapy services provided by persons registered by this Board are exempt from VAT from the date of their registration.

Current status of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board

On 27 February 2019, the then Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, confirmed the establishment of and appointment of members to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board, under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (amended) to regulate the professions of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

The thirteen members of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board were appointed with effect from 25 February 2019.

I am advised that there is currently no date set for the opening of the registers. The Registration Board is currently undertaking the necessary work required for public protection before the opening of the registers.

The Board will consult on draft Standards of Proficiency and the draft Criteria for Education and Training Programmes for both professions in 2023. Following consultation, the Board will set its pre-registration education and training requirements, which will be issued to the professions. The Board will notify education providers of the timeline for alignment to its requirements before it will commence its programme approval process.

Questions on the establishment of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board and their progress in opening their register are a matter for the Minister for Health.

Tax Reliefs

Ceisteanna (168)

Ged Nash

Ceist:

168. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance if tracker and variable rate mortgage holders who benefit from the rent-a-room scheme in respect of their principal private residence will be able to access the proposed new mortgage interest relief scheme announced in Budget 2024, provided they meet the criteria as outlined by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45257/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

Mortgage interest tax relief will be available to taxpayers in respect of their principal private residence in the State where the outstanding mortgage balance was between €80,000 and €500,000 on 31 December 2022 and the taxpayer is compliant with Local Property Tax requirements.

The relief will be available at the standard rate of income tax in respect of the increase in the interest paid between the calendar year 2022 compared to the calendar year 2023. The value of the relief will be equal to the lesser of 20 per cent of the increased interest paid or €1,250, applying on a per property basis. Thus, maximum relief of €1,250 per property.

To claim the mortgage interest tax relief, the taxpayer must file a tax return with Revenue. The relief will operate by way of a credit offset against the taxpayer’s income tax liability in 2023. It is anticipated that the relief may be claimed in early 2024.

In relation to the Deputy’s specific question, the intention is that it will be possible to claim both rent-a-room relief and mortgage interest tax relief provided all of the qualifying conditions for both schemes are satisfied.

Tax Reliefs

Ceisteanna (169)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

169. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will revisit the mortgage interest relief announced in Budget 2024 in order that more people, including those with mortgages of less than €80,000, also benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45258/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is acutely conscious of the impact of rising interest rates and mortgage costs on many taxpayers. It is for this reason, I introduced a temporary one-year, targeted form of mortgage interest tax relief as part of Budget 2024.

Mortgage interest tax relief will be available to taxpayers in respect of their principal private residence in the State where the outstanding mortgage balance was between €80,000 and €500,000 on 31 December 2022 and the taxpayer is compliant with Local Property Tax requirements.

The relief will be available at the standard rate of income tax in respect of the increase in the interest paid between the calendar year 2022 compared to the calendar year 2023. The value of the relief will be equal to the lesser of 20 per cent of the increased interest paid or €1,250, applying on a per property basis. Thus, maximum relief of €1,250 per property.

To claim the mortgage interest tax relief, the taxpayer must file a tax return with Revenue. The relief will operate by way of a credit offset against the taxpayer’s income tax liability in 2023. It is anticipated that the relief may be claimed in early 2024.

As the Deputy will appreciate it is not possible or desirable for the Government to alleviate the full impact of the increased interest rates for all mortgage holders. Some mortgage holders, will be in a much stronger position and will have the capacity to absorb the impact of the recent increases in mortgage rates. I believe the parameters of the relief that I have set are appropriate and sufficiently targeted. Therefore, I have no plans to the widen the parameters of the scheme as it would broaden the relief, resulting in it becoming less targeted, and as a consequence increase the cost to the Exchequer.

Data Protection

Ceisteanna (170)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

170. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 241 of 3 October 2023, if he will provide detail on the nature of the data breaches suffered by his Department; the severity of the breaches; if all individuals whose information was compromised were notified of the breach; if the Data Protection Commission was notified of all data breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45335/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

The Deputy should note that my Department has a data breach management policy in place to ensure that any data breaches are dealt with as required under Articles 33-34 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For operational security reasons, my Department is not in a position to provide any details of its cyber security systems, as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent.

I am informed that the nature of data breaches which have been identified since 2018 in my Department fall into three broad categories: accidental exposure of personal data to unauthorised persons; the loss or theft of IT equipment; and personal data shared in error with unintended recipients. Of those breaches, only a small portion (six) warranted formal notification to the Data Protection Commissioner, and these were fully resolved. Immediate follow-up action was taken by my Department in respect of all of the breaches and I understand that in some cases that data subjects were informed out of courtesy despite there being no or low risk to them.

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (171)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

171. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the Clifden flood relief scheme; the works that are proposed for the Owenglin river as part of this scheme; if fallen trees lying on the river will be removed as a matter of urgency before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44711/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

A potential flood relief scheme was recommended for Clifden as part of the National Flood Risk Management Plans, published in 2018.

Following the launch of the Plans, the Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed to Galway County Council (GCC) that it would fund the costs of developing and implementing a scheme for the town.  The proposed scheme, includes the provision of flood defence walls and embankments, which will protect approximately 25 properties  against the 1:100 Year Flood Event which is also  known as the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability Flood Event. 

In October, 2021, Engineering & Environmental Consultants were appointed by GCC to progress a Flood Relief Scheme for Clifden and the following progress has been made.

• Ground Investigation works have been completed and a final report has been completed.

• The Consultants are continuing their work in developing the various options for the Scheme and a Statutory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to assess options commenced in August 2023.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes and flood relief schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. The Owenglin River does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme and as such OPW have no responsibility to carry out maintenance such as removing debris from the river. GCC have also confirmed that as this river does not form part of a Drainage District they also have no responsibility to carry out such maintenance.

However, any queries or concerns in relation to the removal of fallen trees from the river should be brought to the attention of Galway Co. Council’s Clifden Area Office who would carry out an assessment of any resulting flood risk which they may represent. I also understand that GCC may assess any potential blockages of the bridge structures on the Owenglin River to determine if an intervention may be required to possibly prevent flooding issues. 

Riparian owners of land also have a role in ensuring that watercourses are managed and free flowing so that in extreme weather events the risk of flooding can be minimised. A guide to the rights and responsibilities of landowners is available online at www.flooding.ie.

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (172)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

172. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a person (details supplied) should have entitlement to a portion of a Civil Service pension. [44753/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

I wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51(1)(b). The Public Appointments Service will reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Office of Public Works

Ceisteanna (173)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

173. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW had a contract with a group (details supplied) to provide services on behalf of the OPW in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; if so, the services that were provided on behalf of the OPW; and the amount paid for these services in each of those years, in tabular form [44834/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

My officials have no record of the OPW having any dealings with this company.

Insurance Coverage

Ceisteanna (174)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

174. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the options that are available to residents of Shannon town who cannot get flood insurance cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44848/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for policy matters in relation to insurance.

The Office of Public Works (OPW), through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, carried out the largest ever flood risk study in Ireland to date, which assessed 80% of properties at risk from Ireland’s main causes of flooding. The OPW Flood Maps, that show the flood risk for 300 communities, are a key output of the study together with 29 Flood Risk Management Plans, with the proposed flood relief measures to address the flood risk in each community.

The Flood Maps are available to the public at www.floodinfo.ie however, it is important to note that they are community based maps.  The maps were not designed to designate individual properties at risk. Therefore they do not show individual properties and they do not identify if a property close to an extent is, or is not, within an area at risk of flooding. The maps show the probable extent of flooding based on future projections.

The Disclaimer and Conditions for Use of OPW Flood Maps on www.floodinfo.ie include a provision that users of the website must not use the Flood Maps, or any other content of the website, for commercial purposes. As such, the Disclaimer prevents insurance companies from using the flood maps generated by the OPW. The insurance industry has its own flood modelling tools for assessing the level of risk that it is willing to underwrite in relation to individual properties. It has highlighted to the OPW that it does not use the OPW Flood Maps to inform its flood modelling. The decision on whether to offer insurance, the level of premiums charged and the policy terms applied are matters for individual insurers. Insurance companies make commercial decisions on the provision of insurance cover based on their assessment of the risks they would be accepting on a case-by-case basis.  The Government cannot interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (Solvency II Directive).

The OPW has a role to assist insurance companies to take into account the protection provided by completed flood defence schemes. In this regard, the OPW has a Memorandum of Understanding with Insurance Ireland, the representative body of the insurance industry. This Memorandum sets out principles of how the two organisations work together to ensure that appropriate and relevant information on these completed schemes is provided to insurers to facilitate, to the greatest extent possible, the availability to the public of insurance against the risk of flooding. While the Memorandum does not guarantee the availability of insurance, Insurance Ireland members have committed to take into account all information provided by the OPW when assessing exposure to flood risk within these protected areas.

Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurance providers in this country, operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance, which can be contacted at 01 676 1914 or [e-mail]. Similarly, Brokers Ireland, the representative body for insurance brokers, has access to a wide range of providers and products, and can offer advice for customers when sourcing cover. Brokers Ireland can be reached at 01 661 3067. Furthermore, where an individual considers that they have been treated unfairly, they have the option of making a complaint to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted either by email at [e-mail]  or by phone at 01 567 7000.

With regards to flooding in Shannon Town, Clare County Council confirmed that flash flooding is typically due to blockage or other interference with the drainage system, which coincides with intense periods of rainfall. To facilitate addressing the issue of flooding in Shannon Town, Clare County Council have increased their maintenance activity with the introduction of new gullies and scheduled jetting.  Clare County Council also note that due to its maintenance programme there is only a limited number of locations remaining on the road network in Shannon Town that have repeated flooding issues.

To reduce the risk of flooding in Shannon Town over the longer term, the OPW, Shannon Group and Clare County Council are working together on the development of the Shannon Town and Environs Flood Relief Scheme with Clare County Council acting as the Contracting Authority for the project and funding provided by the OPW. Consultant engineers for the scheme are RPS. 

Currently preliminary design options are being prepared and a final design option for this scheme is expected to be finalised in the coming months, with planning consent likely to be sought in the second half of 2024. 

National Parks

Ceisteanna (175)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

175. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 266 of 3 October 2013 and the report that OPW is to commission a cull of wild rabbits at a national park in Kerry; the timeframe of the cull, providing exact dates of when it will start and finish. [44849/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Office of Public Works is responsible for the conservation and care of a diverse range of properties across the Country. The OPW works continuously to ensure the successful management of landscapes and properties so as to protect and enhance the wildlife and biodiversity of each location. This is particularly important at heritage sites such as Derrynane House and Park, which encompasses wildlife habitats that are protected under the European Habitats Directive and which require specific management and care.

Further to PQ No.266, I can advise that this office issued a tender for services for a proposed rabbit cull at Derrynane on the advice of expert ecologists who have been commissioned to examine and report on the sand dunes and associated habitats at this location.

Culls of this nature are determined by weather conditions and as such, no definitive timeline has been confirmed. It is envisaged that the controls may be undertaken sometime between 1st November 2023 and the end of January 2024.

Public Sector Pensions

Ceisteanna (176)

Seán Canney

Ceist:

176. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will investigate the public service pension entitlement of a person (details supplied), a retired OPW employee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44932/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

Following contact from the retired employee in question, a review of his retirement benefits has been conducted by the Office of Public Works.  The review confirms that the retiree has been awarded his full entitlement of public service pension.  This was notified to the retiree in writing.

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (177)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

177. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 10 October 2023, the reason the Minister of State for the OPW makes no commitment to meet with the elected members of the Inishowen Municipal District, Donegal County Council, as they have repeatedly requested, to examine how the flood defence works at Burnfoot, County Donegal, can be more speedily advanced, considering that the Minister of State for the OPW stated that he was open to meeting the locally elected members in two previous responses to Parliamentary Questions on the matter. [44977/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

I refer to my previous answer to the Deputy in relation to PQ 44403-23 where I provided an update on the current situation, timeline and progress of the Burnfoot Flood Relief scheme. The flood relief scheme must follow the process and complete the five stages which I have informed the Deputy of, significant effort is being made to advance the scheme as speedily as possible.

As previously advised quarterly updates on the advancement of the proposed Burnfoot flood relief scheme are provided to elected members of the Inishowen Municipal District by the Flood Relief Scheme Unit of Donegal County Council. It is my intention to meet with the local elected representatives when I next visit Donegal. I would also advise the Deputy that every effort is being made by all parties to expedite the process and ensure the scheme is in place as soon as is practically possible.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (178)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

178. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the breakdown of the Covid Contingency Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44999/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

Budget 2024 Expenditure Report set out €4.5 billion in non-core expenditure. Approximately €1.3 billion is categorised as Covid-19 expenditure relating to direct and indirect impact of the pandemic.

Allocations of this funding by Department, as shown Chapter 2 of the Budget 2024 Expenditure Book, are set out below. All funding has been allocated. 

€ millions
Agriculture, Food and the Marine	-
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth	18
Defence	-
Education	35
Enterprise, Trade and Employment	-
Environment, Climate and Communications	-
Finance	-
Foreign Affairs	10
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science	10
Health	982
Housing, Local Government and Heritage	7
Justice	5
Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform	-
Rural and Community Development	-
Social Protection	-
Taoiseach's	1
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media	47
Transport	150
Total	1,265

In the Summer Economic Statement 2023, the Government indicated a provision of circa €750 million for Covid related expenditure in 2024.  As part of the Estimates process, an additional amount of €500 million will be provided. This brings the total allocation for Covid related expenditure to €1.3 billion for 2024.

The largest allocation is to the Department of Health at €982 million. This will support the Department to manage the ongoing vaccination programme and response to the pandemic, the legacy of increased activity, demand and costs across the acute hospitals around the country following the pandemic and the knock on effect on waiting lists.

Civil Service

Ceisteanna (179)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

179. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the Civil Service Arbitration Board; if dates are being issued for arbitration hearings at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45117/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform

The Civil Service Arbitration Board is appointed in line with the terms and conditions of the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for the Civil Service. 

In line with the scheme, the Board is appointed by the Government for an agreed term.

The current Board's term expired on 30 June 2023. The process of appointing a new board is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks. 

Arbitration hearings will be scheduled as per normal procedure when the new board has been appointed. 

State Properties

Ceisteanna (180)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

180. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will sell the old Garda station in Bunbeg, County Donegal directly to Donegal County Council for use as a site for social housing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45179/23]

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.

 The OPW’s disposal policy with regard to non-operational (vacant) State property is to:

1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.

2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property 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 a 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).

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, NDP Deliver and Reform (DPENDPR) Circulars:

Circular 11/2015: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets

Circular 17/2016: Policy for Property Acquisition and for Disposal of Surplus Property

In line with the above policy, the OPW sought alternative State use for the former Garda station at Bunbeg with other Government Departments, State Agencies and the wider public sector, including Donegal County Council, but no requirement was identified.

As no alternative State use was identified for the former Garda Station at Bunbeg, the property is being offered for sale by public auction on 3 November 2023.

Flood Risk Management

Ceisteanna (181)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

181. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the flood relief projects currently under construction and funded by the OPW; and when each of these flood relief projects will be completed, in tabular form. [45291/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan to 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk.  Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW to increase its work on flood relief schemes to over 90 schemes at design and construction at this time.  

There are currently seven flood relief schemes at Construction Stage.  The following table lists these schemes and their anticipated substantial completion dates. 

OPW Flood Relief Scheme	Substantial Completion
Athlone Flood Alleviation Scheme	Q2 2024
Dodder Phase 2C, 2D, 2E Flood Relief Scheme	Q4 2023
Glashaboy (Glanmire / Sallybrook) Flood Relief Scheme	Q4 2026
Morell River Flood Management Scheme	Q4 2025
River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme	Q2 2024
Springfield Flood Relief Scheme	Q2 2024
Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme	Q4 2025