Written Answers Nos. 241-260
241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of staff that worked in his Department’s communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024; and the grade of each staff member. [41167/24]
View answerThe number of staff in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's communications and press office teams from 2019 to present is laid out in the tables below.
2019
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
Total: |
10 |
2020
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
0 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
Total: |
10 |
2021
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
Total: |
12 |
2022
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total: |
14 |
2023
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total: |
14 |
2024
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Administrative Officer |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
Total: |
14 |
242. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted by his Department to date in 2024; the purpose of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, in tabular form. [41185/24]
View answerAn outline of the campaigns undertaken by my department to date in 2024 is below.
|
Campaign |
Duration |
Purpose |
Cost (€) |
Agencies |
|
Europe Day Supplement - DPENDR Contribution |
Supplement ran on 5 May 2024 |
DPENDR has policy responsibility for EU Cohesion Funding in Ireland. A 4-page Europe Day supplement ran on 5 May 2024 as part of the Europe Day 2024 campaign. Communicating the impacts of EU supports in Ireland is a requirement of the funding. |
18,086.44 |
A media buying agency was procured through the OGP media buying framework. |
|
OGP SME Campaign |
Campaign ran from 8 April 2024 to 21 May 2024 |
The campaign was conducted to encourage SME access to public procurement through the national electronic tendering website eTenders, and to communicate some changes to eTenders and steps that users of the platform needed to take as a result of these changes. |
32,697 |
A media buying agency was procured through the OGP media buying framework. |
|
Crossmolina Flood Relief scheme confirmation |
Campaign ran from 17 September 2024 to 25 September 2024 |
The Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform approved the River Deel (Crossmolina) Flood Relief Scheme in September 2024. The department placed information notices on this in two local newspapers, along with an Irish language newspaper. |
1,200.49 |
A media buying agency was procured through the OGP media buying framework. |
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the person responsible for works to be carried out to assist with flooding issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the implementation of the EU Floods Directive. It is also responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and Flood Relief Schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995 as amended. The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.
The area in question does not form part of an Arterial Drainage Scheme and therefore the OPW has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there.
In general, responsibility for watercourses outside of the remit of local authorities and the OPW is a matter for the landowner(s) concerned who have an important 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 static-floodinfo.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static/floodmaps/docs/riparian-guide-january-2020.pdf
Where flood risk relates to communities, the Council may apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects, with the balance being funded by the local authority concerned. Any application received is considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
244. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if funding will be provided for a sea wall (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41211/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) has no current application for funding in relation to the area concerned.
Kerry County Council may apply to the OPW for funding of flood mitigation works under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake minor flood mitigation works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas.
The scheme generally applies to relatively straightforward cases where a solution can be readily identified and achieved in a short time frame. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects, with the balance being funded by the Local Authority concerned. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which comprise economic, social and environmental criteria including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial, and having regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management.
The OPW welcome applications under this scheme and is happy to engage with Local Authorities in this regard.
245. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to outline the schedule of works for the OPW renovation works at the Round Tower, Kells, County Meath; the estimated cost of this work; the breakdown of same; the costs incurred to date on this project; the breakdown of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41227/24]
View answerKells Round Tower, National Monument, Number 158 is in the ownership of the Office of Public Works.
It was erected in the 10th century and stands 26 m (85 ft) high. The doorway originally stood about 3.6 m (12 ft) above ground level and was reached by wooden steps or a ladder.
To carry out necessary repointing works to the Tower a scaffold was erected in February 2024 and conservation works commenced at that time. Given the location of the Tower, and its proximity to the footpath and graveyard, for health and safety reasons it was necessary to have fully-boarded scaffolding including a pedestrian walkway/gantry, access stairs, vehicular access, crash desk and public lighting. The estimated timescale for completion of the conservation works is 2 years.
The costs incurred to date on this project stand at €368,443. This figure includes the cost of necessary surveys, materials, services, compound costs, Civil and Structural Engineering and the cost of scaffolding for the project. Remaining ongoing costs will include the necessary scaffolding safety checks throughout the duration of the project and the monthly rental of the compound space.
The conservation works to repair the tower are being undertaken by OPW's direct labour force of skilled craftworkers in the Trim District.
246. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of appointments made from the 2022 principal officer panel in the past 12 months; the number of appointments made to this grade in the same period by way of internal competitions; and the way these figures accord with his Department's policy of a 2:1 ratio in favour of open competitions. [41240/24]
View answerI am advised by publicjobs (formerly the Public Appointments Service -PAS-) that it assigned a total of 15 candidates from the Principal Officer 2022 panel between October 10th 2023 and October 10th 2024. I am further advised by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) that the figure for Principal Officer internal competitions from Departments under its remit was 63 appointments in 2022.
It should be noted that under section 47 of the Public Service (Recruitment and Appointments) Management Act 2004, Departments/Offices may undertake recruitment under their own licence. This may increase the number of Principal Officers recruited through open / external competitions. Not all of the data in relation to these competitions are available centrally and this, in addition to other factors such a appointments through mobility, impacts the extent to which the Department can report on sequencing ratios.
However, with respect to the practical application of sequencing ratios, the policy of Delegated Sanction, in place since 2015, is subject to compliance with certain conditions, one of which is adherence to sequencing agreed with staff associations.
247. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the advertisement budget allocation to the Public Appointments Service in 2023 and 2024; and the budget allocated to same for 2025, in tabular form. [41471/24]
View answerI am advised by the Public Appointments Service that the budget allocation for Advertising in 2023, 2024 and 2025 is as set out in the table.
|
Subhead |
2023 Outturn |
2024 Allocation |
2025 Allocation |
|
(VIII) RECRUITMENT COSTS - ADVERTISING |
€1,290,000 |
€1,200,000 |
€1,200,000 |
248. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when works on improving the culvert system in Bantry will begin; the stage of the process the works are currently at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41560/24]
View answerI have witnessed at first hand the damage caused to properties, businesses and the community of Bantry resulting from recent flooding on the 5th October, which was caused by the surcharging of the culvert system, primarily the Mill Culvert, at New Street and Bridge Street.
The Mill Culvert is a significant piece of infrastructure in Bantry. It carries the Mill River and its tributaries such as the Alley River under the town. There is also over 130 inlets feeding into the Mill River culvert from foul water and combined networks. The culvert has been identified as a significant element contributing to flooding on Main Street, New Street and north and south of Wolfe Tone Square over the weekend of the 5th October.
The Mill Culvert is in poor structural condition and requires replacement, which is to be completed in advance of the main Flood Relief Scheme for the town. The Council is working with Uisce Éireann to increase the capacity of the existing culvert. A Part 8 planning submission for the replacement culvert is expected to be made by Cork County Council in the coming weeks with construction works on the culvert expected to start as soon as possible in 2026. The Council is working with Uisce Éireann and the OPW on a funding proposal for the Mill Culvert project.
To mitigate damage from recurring flood events in the Bantry area the OPW, since 2021, has approved €255,000 to Cork County Council to strengthen its emergency response for the installation of non-return valves, purchase of pumps, large sandbags and individual property protection.
Last week I, together with OPW officials met with Cork County Council, their consultants and Uisce Éireann to discuss progress with this culvert project and the possibility of other interim works that will bring protection to properties in the town in advance of the culvert project and the main flood relief scheme. I have arranged a further such meeting for next week.
249. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to detail all of the flood protection projects currently underway in Cork; the stage of the development process each are currently at; the expected timeline for completion of each; and the expected costs associated with each, in tabular form. [41561/24]
View answerAdditional time is needed to collate the information requested by the Deputy. The Office of Public Works will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
250. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cost associated with a ten cent rise in the minimum wage for both the civil service and the wider public sector. [41562/24]
View answerThe current minimum wage is €12.70 per hour. Based on the civil service 35 hour standard net working week, this equates to an annual salary of approximately €23,194. If, as suggested, the minimum wage were to rise by ten cent to €12.80 per hour, this would result in an annual salary of approximately €23,377. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that no staff in the civil service are on salary points less than €23,377 per annum.
The public service information sought in this request would require detailed data on the position of staff on each salary scale across the public service and details of the standard working hours per week for each individual grade. This data is not held in my Department.
The current public service agreement is Public Service Agreement 2024-2026. In total, the Agreement provides for increases of 10.25% over a two and a half year period. This is made up of pay increases amounting to 9.25%, as well as a provision for a Local Bargaining mechanism equivalent to 1% of the basic pay cost. Over the lifetime of the agreement, the lowest paid public servants will see cumulative benefits of up to 17.3%, inclusive of the local bargaining provision.
251. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the international events and engagements he has attended at which members of the media were also in attendance as part of the Government delegation, since the formation of the Government; the media organisation they represented; the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41607/24]
View answerSince the formation of the Government, no members of the media have accompanied the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform at international events or engagements as part of the Government delegation.
252. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if avenues are available for an employee to still avail of the national redundancy scheme. [41139/24]
View answerThe Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended, provides for a minimum statutory lump sum payment to all eligible employees in situations of redundancy.
In order to be eligible for a statutory redundancy payment, an employee must have at least two years’ continuous service with an employer, excluding any period of employment with that employer before the age of 16 years, and be in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts.
An eligible employee is entitled to 2 weeks’ pay for every year of service, plus an additional week’s pay. Weekly pay for this purpose is subject to a maximum ceiling of €600 per week.
It is the employer’s responsibility in the first instance to pay statutory redundancy to eligible workers. If employers are genuinely unable to pay redundancy due to financial difficulties or insolvency, the State provides a safety net and may make the statutory redundancy payments on the employer’s behalf from the Social Insurance Fund through the Redundancy Payments Scheme. The scheme is administered by the Department of Social Protection.
If an employer disputes that a redundancy situation exists or refuses to pay statutory redundancy, an employee can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Complaints must be made within 1 year of the date of dismissal. The WRC can extend this time period to 2 years if the employee can demonstrate reasonable cause.
If an employer refuses to pay after the WRC makes an award of statutory redundancy, the employee can apply directly to the Department of Social Protection for payment from the Redundancy Payments Scheme.
253. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department is aware of the recent findings that tampons contain measurable concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, as reported in international studies; and if so, what immediate actions will be taken to assess the safety of menstrual products sold in Ireland. [41143/24]
View answer254. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether the Government has conducted or plans to conduct any independent studies to assess the presence of heavy metals in menstrual products available on the Irish market, given recent international findings. [41144/24]
View answer255. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures being put in place to ensure that menstrual products, including tampons, meet safety standards in relation to chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals, in Ireland. [41145/24]
View answer256. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether there are current regulations and safety standards specifically addressing the presence of heavy metals in menstrual products; and if these standards align with recent international research findings. [41146/24]
View answer257. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what steps are being taken to inform the public about the potential risks associated with the use of tampons containing heavy metals; and whether there will be a campaign to raise awareness among consumers about product safety. [41147/24]
View answer258. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will consider introducing mandatory labelling requirements for menstrual products sold in Ireland to disclose the presence of any harmful chemicals, including heavy metals, to better inform consumers. [41148/24]
View answer259. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are any plans to review the existing import regulations for menstrual products to ensure that those containing harmful levels of heavy metals do not enter the Irish market. [41150/24]
View answer260. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether his Department will introduce a system of routine testing for menstrual products in Ireland, similar to food safety testing, to ensure ongoing compliance with health standards. [41151/24]
View answer261. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment what actions are being taken to engage with manufacturers and suppliers of menstrual products to address and mitigate the contamination risks highlighted in recent studies. [41152/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 261, inclusive, together.
My Department recognises the importance of ensuring that products placed on the market are safe.
Menstrual products currently fall under the scope of the General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC1 as transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 199/2004.
These Regulations oblige producers to place only safe products on the market, to provide consumers with the relevant information to enable them to assess the risks that are inherent in a product and to take precautions against those risks. The Regulations provide that, in the absence of applicable European standards or standards at national level in relation to particular products, codes of good practice in force in the sector concerned shall be considered to assess the safety of a product. The Code sets out that producers are to provide consumers with standardised health-related information, such as reference to the toxic shock syndrome risk on the packaging, and with more detailed information and guidance in the instructions for use.
With the forthcoming General Product Safety Regulation, which replaces the General Product Safety Directive, the regulatory framework for non-harmonised consumer goods, such as menstrual products, will be significantly strengthened.
If a consumer has concerns around the safety of menstrual products, then they can contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) who are the competent authority with responsibility for products, such as tampons and sanitary pads, that come under the General Product Safety Directive. The CCPC will investigate the concerns and if warranted take appropriate action.
In addition, COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2023/1809 of 14 September 2023 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for absorbent hygiene products and for reusable menstrual cups, sets out limit values for of a list of chemicals/ metals before such products can be awarded EU Ecolabel.
