Written Answers Nos. 189-202
189. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a complete list of all buildings owned by the State or any of the State agencies, including HSE, State bodies, and so on across Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 8, and their occupancy status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50574/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. It should be noted that the Office of Public Works does not hold details of buildings in the ownership of other State agencies / bodies such as the HSE.
190. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the position regarding the OPW commissioned report on the redevelopment of Clonmacnoise monastic site. [50623/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will request that the OPW include the principles of Just Transition and wider community benefit when planning the redevelopment of the Clonmacnoise monastic site (details supplied). [50624/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
Following an open tender process, OPW has appointed a multi-disciplinary professional team to undertake a study of the Clonmancnoise National Monument with a view to making recommendations for its future development so it can continue to actively contribute to the local tourism and business economy while retaining its key status as an iconic National Monument site.
This team has been working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Local Authority, Community Groups and relevant State Agencies including Fáilte Ireland. In line with inter-agency objectives, the teams have in particular been working to develop visitor experiences and facilities whilst ensuring opportunities exist for supporting local enterprise and infrastructure in Shannonbridge and surrounding areas. The development opportunities offered by the Fáilte Ireland Just Transition programme should be transformative for the region. Stakeholder organisations have been working closely particularly with Failte Ireland to maximise the opportunities it presents within its terms of reference to ensure the best possible outcomes for the region’s economy. A number of specific areas are being actively examined including sustainability, adherence to climate action targets, transport strategy etc.
192. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 512 of 11 September 2023, if a design team has been appointed to restore the remaining portion of Carlow Courthouse railings; and if a date for commencement and completion of these works has been identified. [50695/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraConservation of the railings at Carlow Courthouse was initiated in 2016 by Office of Public Works conservation architects. It was decided to carry out the work on the basis of an initial pilot phase on ten sections of the railings. This was a trial exercise to establish a correct works methodology and to gain as much cost certainty as possible for the future phases of work. Repairs and restoration works remain to be carried out on 50 sections of railings. Due to Covid-19, the pilot phase was delayed and was finally completed in early March 2023. The defects liability period comes to a close on the 6th March 2024.
The restoration and conservation works to the railings completed to this point have been successful. The Courts Service and the Office of Public Works are hoping to advance the next stage of the project as a priority. A design team is to be assembled shortly to apply for the requisite permissions and scope the scale and methodology for the conservation and restoration works to the remaining railings. This will lead to a programme for the advancement of all associated works on site. The project will be further developed in 2024.
193. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50803/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided. [50821/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50839/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50857/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193, 194, 195 and 196 together.
For operational and security reasons, my Department does not disclose specific information relating to cyber security tools, spend, in house expertise and specific strategies employed to counter and combat the threats posed to information security. I am in a position to advise the Deputy that the Department engaged an external consultancy company to perform a cybersecurity audit in 2023 at a cost of €82,656.My Department recognises the importance of maintaining strong cyber security awareness, and ensures staff stay up to date on evolving cyber security threats including malware, phishing attacks and social engineering deception schemes. All staff are provided with training guidance on cyber security at induction and updates on new threats and how to mitigate these. Finally, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, which is a Division of my Department, works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre, which is a Division of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and encompasses the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team. CSIRT-IE is an internationally accredited response team focusing on enhancing both situational awareness and providing incident response for national cyber security incidents (including ransomware attack).
197. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 150 and 151 of 14 November 2023, if Departments are permitted to feed into the ESRI’s report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50986/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in my reply of 14 November 2023, an independent evaluation of investment priorities and capacity of the National Development Plan (NDP) is currently being conducted by the ESRI. The evaluation is focusing on the capacity to deliver current Government priorities, to utilise sectoral capital allocations and to estimate the impact of the NDP on key economic indicators.
Given the independent nature of the analysis being undertaken by the ESRI, Departments are not required to feed into the report. The report will be published during Q4 this year. On foot of the ESRI report, my Department will commence the process of agreeing sectoral NDP allocations out to 2028, with a view to the publication of the revised NDP sectoral allocations in 2024. As part of this process, my Department will engage with Departments as appropriate in relation to their broad objectives for delivery of priority projects and programmes out to 2028, in line with the overall NDP framework.
198. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform what progress has been made with the flood relief scheme for Kenmare; when the scheme will go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50994/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme is one of some one hundred schemes at design and construction, nationally. This is a threefold increase in schemes at design and construction since 2018 and is supported by the €1.3bn funding under the National Development Plan.
There are five stages to delivering a flood relief scheme, from preliminary design, planning, detailed design, construction and maintenance. The Kenmare Flood Relief Scheme is currently at Stage 1, Scheme Development and Preliminary Design. A number of surveying works are now completed and the outputs from these surveys will feed into the hydraulic modelling for the scheme. A contractor for erosion prevention works at the Finnihy Banks in Kenmare is to be appointed in the coming weeks with works to commence thereafter. These works will inform the scheme for Kenmare.
At this time, Stage 1 is programmed to be completed in Q2 of 2025 with the identification of an option for Kenmare. This is programmed to be submitted for planning in 2026 and construction programmed to commence in 2027.
199. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of a report (details supplied) relating to the planned cull of rabbits at Derrynane National Park, which recommends that fenn traps are not used due to the suffering they cause, as well as non-compliance with the Wildlife Act 1976, that the proposed shooting of rabbits using certain rifles is not carried out because "neither weapon is suitable for culling rabbits", and which highlights the "significant welfare concerns associated with ferreting rabbits"; and if so, if he will act to stop the cull. [51012/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works is continually looking at options to successfully manage the landscapes and properties in a way that is beneficial to wildlife and biodiversity, particularly at locations such as Derrynane, which contains wildlife habitats protected at a European level that require protection. I can advise my officials issued a tender for services for a proposed rabbit cull at Derrynane, on the advice of ecologists, who are finalising a report on the sand dunes at Derrynane. There is no timeline for delivery of the services in the tender documents as culls of this nature are determined by weather conditions. As previously advised, it is envisaged that the controls may be undertaken sometime between 1st November 2023 and the end of January 2024.
The Office of Public Works will follow the advice received from expert groups. It should be noted that the Wildlife Act of 1976 relates to protected species, and that rabbits are not a protected species.
200. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51050/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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).
201. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51068/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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).
202. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of Budget 2024; the figure granted by his Department in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51104/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the main parts of the annual budgetary process is determining the amount of funding required for Departments to carry out their existing functions, before any new decisions are taken. This is referred to as the ‘Existing Level of Service’ or ELS. ELS funding provides provision for the maintenance of our existing services and schemes.
The Medium Term Expenditure Strategy, agreed by Government in 2021, set out an indicative overall provision of 3 per cent of the core current base each year to meet ELS pressures. This is an estimated cost to aid overall fiscal planning based on trends observed in previous years. This is an overall provision rather than a set rate of increase for each Department. In July the Government agreed the 2023 Summer Economic Statement outlining an estimated amount of €2.3 billion in respect of the additional costs arising in 2024 to deliver ELS.
ELS is a significant part of the additional expenditure funding allocated each year and delivers additional investment in public services, through for example providing existing schemes to a growing number of people, and investment in the public service workforce.
Each year both as part of the whole of year Budget process, and the finalisation of Estimates, ELS is considered in detail in each Vote. This requires an assessment of the specific needs of the Vote including previous budget decisions, the impact of the existing public sector pay deals and any demographic or other demand impacts.
Government agreed a total amount of €96.6 billion for Budget 2024. The additional costs of ELS were estimated as circa €1.8 billion or 2.4 per cent of the current expenditure base. This was lower than the amount indicated in the Summer Economic Statement. This is due to a number of factors including review of service usage rates and requirements, and cyclical factors impacting take-up and costs of schemes and supports.
The following table sets out the indicative breakdown of ELS costs per Vote Group in Budget 2024 as set out in the Expenditure Report 2024:
|
Estimated ELS Cost Per Department - Budget 2024 |
€ millions |
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
7 |
|
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
198 |
|
Defence |
15 |
|
Education |
365 |
|
Enterprise, Trade and Employment |
4 |
|
Environment, Climate and Communications |
2 |
|
Finance |
22 |
|
Foreign Affairs |
3 |
|
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
65 |
|
Health |
708 |
|
Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
165 |
|
Justice |
74 |
|
Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform |
63 |
|
Rural and Community Development |
12 |
|
Social Protection |
117 |
|
Taoiseach |
0 |
|
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
40 |
|
Transport |
40 |
