Vol. 1037 No. 1
52. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on how her Department is implementing the published guidelines on rural proofing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19544/23]
Since 6 April 1995, all newly-appointed public servants became fully insured under the Social Insurance System. They pay Class A PRSI, which would entitle them to Social Insurance Benefits such as, maternity benefit, illness benefit, State Pension Contributory (SPC) and other social insurance entitlements not available to public servants paying modified PRSI (Class B, C or D). A significant number of occupational pension schemes (both private and public sector) take account of a member’s entitlement to the SPC when calculating occupational pension benefits. This is known as ‘integration’, and is also sometimes referred to as 'coordination'. It should be noted that prior to the extension to all public servants, of Class A PRSI in April 1995, as many as 39,000 public servants were always fully insured.
A public servant paying Class A PRSI will receive both an occupational pension combined with their SPC element, which is paid for by way of PRSI contributions. This part of the pension is bound by the rules and criteria as set by Department of Social Protection (DSP). An occupational supplementary pension may be payable in circumstances where the total pension package (i.e. the combined total of the public service occupational pension plus any social insurance benefits) is less than that of the pension payable to a public servant on an equivalent salary and whose pension is not integrated with the Social Insurance system and who do not have an entitlement to the SPC.
The payment of an occupational supplementary pension is subject to an individual meeting certain criteria, such as the retired public servant shall not be in paid employment and:
fails to qualify for a Social Insurance Benefit or
qualifies for a Social Insurance Benefit at a reduced rate, or at a rate less than the full rate of the SPC, and
has reached minimum pension age or is in receipt of an ill-health pension.
The following Social Insurance payments are considered when assessing an individual for an Occupational Supplementary Pension: The State Pension Contributory (SPC), Illness Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds and Jobseeker’s Benefit. In order to qualify for the payment of a supplementary pension, a retired public servant must engage with the Department of Social Protection and apply for any of above mentioned benefits to which they may have an entitlement. The rules regarding qualifying for the above Social Insurance payments are a matter for the Department of Social Protection.
Where an individual, in receipt of an occupational supplementary pension, takes up employment, for example, for one day, the supplementary pension would cease for that one day and be payable for the other 4 working days in the week. This is similar to the treatment of the Jobseeker’s Benefit which is payable by Department of Social Protection.
My Department is aware that there are some issues concerning the procedures for qualifying for the payment of an Occupational Supplementary Pension. My officials are currently reviewing the processes involved to establish if there is a more efficient and streamlined approach to the procedures. However, I understand that the matter is quite complex and involves other stakeholders and there is no quick solution.
As Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP) is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. Each Minister is responsible to deciding on the priority programmes and projects that will be delivered under their remit within the NDP and for setting out the timelines for delivery.
In 2023, over €12 billion is available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements. However, no-one is any doubt that the need to ensure timely project delivery must be part of the government’s focus to respond effectively to the pressing challenges of our time, particularly in areas like housing, health and climate.
The Government is also committed to continue to detail progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments that have been made throughout the country.
The latest iterations of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map, from February 2023, are detailed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/f828b-myprojectireland-interactive-map/. They contain project updates and the latest timelines for delivery for key NDP projects.
This property was the subject of PQ 55497/21 and PQ 7920/23 submitted by the Deputy.
The position regarding Vernon Mount House remains the same. The House and it’s immediate curtilage registered under Folio CK136041F is owned by a private company Vernon Mount House Restoration Ltd. This company is live, its annual returns are up to date and the CRO status is Normal. The house is not State property and, that being the case, neither the OPW nor the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform has any role in this matter.
There is no record of OPW receiving correspondence from the local authority in respect of Mount Vernon House during 2022 or 2023. As this property is privately owned there is no expectation that the OPW would receive such correspondence, because it has no role in the ownership or management of the property.
The issue is around timelines for implementation. I understand it is a complex issue and, as the Minister explained, many Departments are involved in implementation of the policy. She mentioned compulsory measures. We are concerned about the time taken to come up with the strategy, how that is going to be implemented and what it will look like.
We have identified areas that we want to focus on as part of the pilot. Sustainable tourism is something that has a big impact on rural economies. We have launched the national recreation strategy.
That has huge economic benefits. Let us consider, for example, the benefits of Limerick greenway, the mountain biking trail in the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Mount Congreve Gardens in Waterford. Only last week, I opened a new walkway in Newtownforbes, County Longford.
The national planning framework is another important policy, which is a big influence on balanced regional development, rural housing, remote working, etc. There is a range of different ways through which we can make sure that policies are rural-proofed.
54. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the forthcoming islands strategy; when the strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19545/23]
I ask the Minister provide an update on the forthcoming islands strategy, when the strategy will be published and if she will make a statement on the matter.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment, as well as commitments made in Our Rural Future. The process of developing the policy has taken longer than I would like. However, I am determined to take the time necessary to get it right. That is no more than our island communities deserve, because it is more than 25 years since the Government last published an islands development policy. I received an initial draft of the policy before Christmas and, since then, officials from my Department have been engaging very intensively with colleagues across all Departments and agencies to tie down firm commitments and agree robust actions to be taken over the next three years.
It goes without saying that any islands policy must be developed in consultation with island communities. As the Deputy will be aware, an extensive public consultation process took place as part of the development of this policy. Since then, officials from my Department have remained in contact with the islands representative body, Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. They met with them in recent weeks to discuss the draft policy, its strategic objectives, timelines and the next steps in the process. I am pleased that the policy and accompanying action plan is nearing completion and I expect to present it to Government for approval in the coming weeks. This is an issue the Leas-Cheann Comhairle has raised with me on a number of occasions. We are very close to having it finished. Then, it will have to be translated and I will have to bring it to Government.
There are currently 11 staff within my Department who are working with the European Union in Brussels. *In addition to these 11, there is 1 staff member - a seconded national expert - seconded to the European Commission, in Washington D.C.
I can also confirm there are currently no vacant posts.
The tables below set out the number of staff, their present roles, and responsibilities and also the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016.
Table 1 - Officers seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs to work on behalf of my Department at the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union in Brussels:
|
Number of staff in post on 18 April 2023 |
Number of staff in post on 23 June 2016 |
Role |
Responsibilities |
|
1 |
1 |
PO Counsellor, Competitiveness Council |
Competitiveness, Industry, SMEs, State Aid, Data, Chips Act, Artificial Intelligence, Space, Foreign Subsidies |
|
1 |
1 |
Attaché (First Secretary), Competitiveness Council |
Competition, Single Market, Better Regulation, Standardisation, Intellectual Property, Digital |
|
1 |
1 |
Attaché (First Secretary), Competitiveness Council |
Consumer, Company Law, Chemicals, Workplace Health & Safety, Technical Harmonisation |
|
0 This posting transferred to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science as part of the transfer of functions in 2021. |
1 |
Attaché (First Secretary), Research, and Innovation |
Furtherance of the Department’s Research and Innovation agenda |
|
1 |
1 |
PO Counsellor, Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) |
Ensuring Ireland’s position on individual trade and investment matters are promoted, secured, and protected. |
|
1 |
0 Attaché post created in 2020 |
Attaché (First Secretary), Employment, Social Policy, Health, and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) |
Furtherance of the Department’s Employment / Labour Affairs agenda |
|
1 |
0 Attaché post created in 2017 |
Attaché (Third Secretary), Foreign Affairs Council (Trade) |
Ensuring Ireland’s position on individual trade and investment matters are promoted, secured, and protected |
Table 2 – Seconded to the European Commission, Brussels and Washington, to work as Seconded National Experts (SNEs). There were no staff of my Department seconded to the European Commission, Brussels as SNEs in 2016:
|
Number of Staff currently in post |
Role |
Responsibilities |
|
1 |
Seconded National Expert - DG - TRADE-G-5 - |
Dealing with anti-dumping and anti-subsidy matters |
|
1 |
Seconded National Expert – Directorate General for Internal Policies of the EU |
Providing administrative and logistical back up for Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee |
|
1 |
Units COMP – H2 and HR |
Policy and enforcement of EU State aid rules applicable in all Member States in the areas of Research & Development & Innovation |
|
1* |
Seconded National Expert - DG Trade (delegation) based in Washington D.C. |
Policy Analysis, monitoring and co-ordination |
Table 3 – On EU special leave to work in the European Commission, Brussels as per D/Finance Circular 33 of 1991:
|
Number of staff currently in post |
Number of staff in post on 23 June 2016 |
|
2 |
1 |
We are talking about a matter of weeks. I want a policy that, when it is launched, can be used to hold other Departments to account. I do not want a pile of flowery language. I have said this previously; I want time-bound actions in order that when Departments say they are going to do something, I will be able to hold them to account.
In fairness, in both my Departments, I have shown a commitment to the islands. I was the first Minister for Social Protection for many years to increase the islands allowance in my first budget. There has been a long-running issue there with roads in County Donegal. I worked with the island community there and with Donegal County Council. The roads on some of the islands have been transformed. If the Deputy gets a chance to go to the lighthouse on Arranmore, the community will tell him the difference that has made.
I have established a special dedicated funding stream under CLÁR for island communities. This year, I have ring-fenced funding under the local improvement scheme for the islands. We have developed remote working hubs on a number of the islands with funding from my Department. We will continue to improve life on the islands, but the policy is important.
Yes, and I am trying to do my best in my Department. As part of the new policy, I want other Ministers to do the same. I told the Deputy what I have been trying to do. I want to use this policy to hold the other Departments to account. It has to be a whole-of-government policy and that includes housing, health and education. Those are some of the key Departments from which we need strong commitments in this strategy. This will be first islands policy in 26 years, as all Members will be aware. I want to get it right.
As I said, my officials engaged with representatives of Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann. We told them we would bring this Government very shortly. They are happy to see that we are making progress on this. It might take a couple of weeks longer than I had initially thought. I thought I would have it by the end of this month, but it is better to make sure we get it right. We must have an action plan that clearly sets out what we want to achieve, when we are going to achieve it and who is going to do it.
The 2023 St Patrick's Day programme saw the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world. These visits provided an opportunity for Ministers to promote Irish trade and meet business leaders, to engage with political counterparts and to meet the Irish diaspora in different locations.
As part of this St Patrick’s Day programme, I visited Australia and carried out a wide-ranging programme of community, business and political engagements in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth. This included a brief meeting with the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at the Australian Parliament. The discussion was very warm and touched on current topics.
In conjunction with the official St Patrick’s Day programme, I carried out a series of trade and investment engagements in both Melbourne and Sydney. These included a series of meetings with both Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland client companies. I also attended and spoke at business events including the Enterprise Ireland Melbourne St. Patrick’s Week Business Lunch, the Sydney St. Patrick’s Week Business Lunch, the Sydney Business Advisory Panel Breakfast, and the Queensland Irish Association. There were 47 Enterprise Ireland client companies involved in this trade mission programme and these business meetings and engagements provided a platform for me to highlight growth opportunities for Enterprise Ireland and IDA client companies in Digital Technologies, FinTech, Construction, Engineering, Healthcare, Energy, Consumer Goods and other key sectors.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
55. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline her engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to improve the provision of housing on offshore islands. [19394/23]
Our offshore islands are not exempt from the housing crisis. In fact, the pressures on housing are distinctly felt by island communities, considering the additional barriers they face. Access to services, the transport of material and even construction workers and tradespeople travelling are all additional obstacles faced by the islands. What has the Minister's engagement been with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on these issues? What are her plans to help to develop housing for island communities?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, the Government is committed to publishing an islands policy in line with the programme for Government commitment and commitments made in Our Rural Future.
Housing was one of the most pressing issues of concern that was raised by island communities during the public consultation process carried out by my Department. While housing supply and affordability are key issues across the country, many of the factors affecting housing supply are amplified on the islands. These issues are also highlighted in a recent report carried out by a team from UCC, entitled Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is represented on the interdepartmental committee that has been overseeing the development of the islands policy. In addition, officials from my Department have engaged bilaterally with the Department and the relevant local authorities to agree commitments for the policy and its accompanying action plan. A further meeting is scheduled for later this week. Additionally, my Department arranged a meeting with the authors of the UCC report, Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands, which was also attended by officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I believe this meeting was enlightening and beneficial for all parties and the report's findings are being taken into consideration in the finalisation of the policy.
I am pleased that the islands policy is well advanced and, in that context, I have a meeting scheduled with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, next week to discuss the commitments from his Department. I intend to present the policy to Government for approval in the coming weeks.
I thank the Minister for that update. It is great to hear that she is familiar with the report, Housing and Sustaining Communities on the West Cork Islands, which was produced by UCC research in conjunction with the west Cork islands group. She will, therefore, be aware that the report is unequivocal in its findings and that the lack of affordable, good quality housing is impacting on the ability of the islands to attract newcomers and to retain existing inhabitants and the next generation of islanders. It is clear from the detailed research that the future of island living is under threat because of that. Of particular concern is their finding that young families are being priced out of the existing island housing market. If families with children cannot settle on the islands, the continuity and vibrancy of island life is in doubt. There is a need to ensure that existing housing of older adults is modified so that older residents can remain in their homes for as long as possible on the islands.
I am glad that the Minister will have a meeting with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week. I look forward to an update after that.
From my experience, the only way to keep other Departments on their toes is to get concrete commitments from them. I think we are nearly there on this.
As I said, I am going to meet the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage next week to discuss his Department's actions. As housing, planning and water sewerage services are big issues on the islands, we need strong commitments and actions from that Department.
I reiterate that both of my Departments have shown my commitment to the island communities, with the new special funding scheme under CLÁR for islands and ring-fenced funding under the local improvement scheme, which is specifically for the islands. The UCC report on sustainable community and housing on the west Cork islands was very useful. My officials have gone through it in detail and we will take on board some of its recommendations.
I am glad to hear action is being taken and I hope the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage follows through with lively action as a result. The report also has several recommendations on sustaining island life in west Cork and I am sure its findings are applicable to many other island communities. They include a rural settlement scheme aimed specifically at promoting the west Cork islands as places to live full time and improved broadband connectivity, which is crucial given the recent opportunities to work remotely, as well as regular, subsidised ferry crossings. These are all actions we should be looking into. When the west Cork islands group recently presented this research in the audiovisual room and to the Minister and her officials, it showed the incredible challenges the communities face but also their strength and vibrancy. Island life is a culturally unique way of life that needs to be valued and supported. I am glad to hear the Minister is taking actions and just hope they will result in concrete results for island communities.
Even though the report was specific to the west Cork islands, much of the findings are applicable to the majority of our islanders, relating to, for example, the quality of existing housing stock, the lack of availability of houses for sale or rent and the challenges of obtaining planning permission. I have spoken to Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann and all the islands have these challenges, which is why we want to try to address some of them. There are too many holiday homes and too many derelict houses. A lot of points are made in the report.
I have visited Bere Island. It is wonderful what is being done there. I have been to the glamping pod and the community centre. The island’s broadband was an issue and we have worked with the community there on a number of issues. Likewise, Sherkin Island got a huge investment from my Department and that will be a game changer in terms of what it can do in the community, given the level of funding that has been allocated to it. That is just two Cork islands, but other islands have also got support. I am committed to supporting them. Ports are a big issue on the islands, although achieving improvements in regard to all these things will be a matter for the longer term. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows all about the islands and raises them with me regularly, so she keeps me on my toes.
The National AI Strategy, AI – Here for Good, launched in July 2021, sets out how Ireland can be an international leader in the use of artificial intelligence to benefit our economy and society, through a Strategy which takes a people-centred, ethical approach to the development, adoption and use of AI. My department is leading on the implementation of the Strategy and is responsible for driving the adoption of AI by businesses.
The Strategy calls for a robust governance framework to safeguard against risk and to underpin public trust in AI, and it is this context that my department has convened a Working Group on Trustworthy AI Principles and Guidelines. We have brought together experts in the area of artificial intelligence with representatives of Government Departments and State Bodies, with a view to agreeing an accessible set of principles and parameters for the deployment of trustworthy and ethical AI in the public sector. The group is considering the ways in which it can best help decision makers in the Public Sector to make informed decisions on the use and deployment of AI.
The Working Group has met twice and in between meetings, a draft document has been developed which was considered by the Working Group in March 2023. Work will continue to progress this document. The recommendations of the Group to be brought to Government for consideration as soon as possible and, subject to Government approval, these principles will be part of the decision-making process for the adoption and use of AI in the Public Service.
