Written Answers Nos. 461-480
461. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the money allocated to the State’s contribution to auto-enrolment within the base under the stability programme update and summer economic statement; and if it is provided with the expenditure ceiling or budgetary decisions line of the summer economic statement, for the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 respectively. [33488/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Economic Statement (SES) was published in July, following on from the Stability Programme Update earlier this year. It set out the parameters for Budget 2025 and expenditure ceilings out to 2030 which are framed with the need to continue to improve public services and capital infrastructure to support a growing population, and to ensure an expenditure strategy that will help sustain growth in our economy.
The expenditure strategy implemented by Government in recent years has focused on responding to economic and social developments while remaining fiscally sustainable over the short- and medium-term. The expenditure ceilings set out in the SES reflect the continuation of this strategy out to 2030 and are include provision for existing levels of service (ELS) requirements, capital allocations under the NDP and for new measures in each Budget.
No explicit provision was made for the Government top-up element of the Auto-Enrolment (AE) scheme within the Stability Programme Update and Summer Economic Statement. These costs will be considered as part of the annual estimates process once the final costs and other implementation details have been approved by Government. Some provision has been made in the Department of Social Protection’s administrative budget for certain AE project-related costs, such as project staffing and IT costs.
462. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will prioritise investment into upgrading the Castlepollard Garda station (details supplied). [30988/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Garda Síochána has informed the Office of Public Works (OPW) that they have no immediate plans for any refurbishment or upgrade works at Castlepollard Garda Station. It is not included on their Capital Investment Programme 2023-2030.
The OPW recently carried out minor damp proofing and dry-rot treatment works in the Station and there are minor fabric maintenance works scheduled for this year. An EV Charger was installed in December 2023 and it was fully commissioned in January 2024.
Castlepollard Garda Station is a protected structure with restrictions on the adaptation of the fabric of the existing building. The OPW are currently reviewing accessibility to identify universal access improvements.
463. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the private companies operating within the grounds of Leinster House; the number which are contracted by his Department, the OPW or the Houses of the Oireachtas; the number which are not publicly contracted; the annual value of the contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31110/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are currently collating the information and will revert directly to the Deputy in due course.
464. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of works on the weir at Ballincollig regional park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31115/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management or CFRAM Programme, the largest study of flood risk in the state, was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2018. The output from this study was the Flood Risk Management Plans that are providing the evidence for a proactive approach for designing and constructing flood relief schemes for the most at-risk communities.
The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is the largest flood relief scheme in the state. It encompasses an area from Inniscarra Hydroelectric plant to the Port of Cork, some 16 kilometres away. The Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme is expected to provide protection against the 100-year fluvial flooding event from the River Lee and the 200-year tidal flooding event for 2,100 properties, 900 residential and 1,200 commercial, at an estimated cost of over €200 million.
While there are no hydraulic benefits to the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme from the Ballincollig weir, the OPW has committed to assessing the feasibility of repairing Ballincollig Weir and incorporating the repair works into the construction contract and budget for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, if appropriate.
The OPW commissioned the consultants for the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme to undertake a preliminary feasibility assessment and constraints study for the reinstatement of Ballincollig Weir and this was produced in early May 2024 and was subsequently forwarded to Cork City Council for consideration, as the Weir is in the ownership of Cork City Council, following the boundary change between County and City in June 2019.
The consultants have proposed three options to consider. Each option has planning, structural, fisheries and cultural heritage considerations that must be accommodated. There is also a different cost estimated for each of the three options, and this will require further assessment to inform the preferred feasible option and the appropriate planning consent route.
The OPW is committed to continued collaboration with Cork City Council on this matter.
465. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on the slow processing times of the Public Appointments Service (PAS); if there are any plans to improve the processing times of the PAS; how many staff are currently assigned, broken down by grade, to the PAS, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31217/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Appointments Service is the recruitment and resourcing service provider for client organisations in the civil and public service. It is responsible for sourcing, assessment and delivery of quality candidates to public service clients. It runs a wide range of openly advertised recruitment competitions and interdepartmental promotion competitions within the Civil Service. PAS’ activities are primarily focused on:
• sourcing candidates for roles in the Civil Service;
• senior roles in Local Authorities;
• trainee Garda and certain Garda promotion competitions;
• a range of management, executive and specialist roles across the civil and public service; and
• identification of suitable members for State Boards.
Delivery is critically important for the organisation and there has been significant focus on improving timelines. In 2023, 96% of vacancies were filled for clients, including key specialist posts, and campaign delivery timeframes were achieved for over 80% of campaigns, therefore achieving the agreed target.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, significant enhancements have been made to the recruitment model used by PAS to improve processing times. The organisation’s new strategy NUA26 focuses on improving recruitment service delivery and maximising efficiencies across all areas of recruitment. In 2023, PAS restructured its senior recruitment service model which has reduced timelines and eliminated the pipeline backlog in that area. In 2023 and in 2024 to end of May, the target timelines agreed with clients was achieved for over 80% of recruitment campaigns. Significant progress has also been made in reducing the general service backlog from 789 in July 2023 to 185 in May 2024.
Processing times are also impacted by external factors such as competitive market conditions and the need to respond to unexpected demands. These include resourcing of new agencies and requirements related to international protection in the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Finally, PAS is in the process of implementing a new Applicant Tracking System, a major transformation programme which is expected to deliver benefits in terms of improved operational capacity, greater efficiencies and an improved service to clients and candidates.
Period Covered January to June 2024
|
Recruitment Activity |
Volume |
|
Assessments |
17,027 |
|
Interviews |
8,550 |
|
Assignments |
4,737 |
The organisation’s staffing level is set out below:
|
Grade |
Head Count |
FTE Total |
|
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) |
1 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer (PO) |
8 |
7.6 |
|
Assistant Principal (AP) |
22 |
21.7 |
|
Psychologists |
6 |
6 |
|
Accountant |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer (HEO) |
45 |
42.6 |
|
Administrative Officer (AO) |
6 |
6 |
|
Executive Officer (EO) |
98 |
95.2 |
|
Executive Officer ICT Apprentice (EO) |
1 |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer (CO) |
122 |
118.7 |
|
Clerical Officer Interns (CO) |
4 |
4 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) |
1 |
1 |
|
Service Officer (SVO) |
3 |
3 |
|
Total as of 11/07/2024 |
318 |
308.8 |
466. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if public sector bodies can continue to use cloud computing to deliver digital-driven public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31251/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic cloud continues to be a key and growing platform supporting the delivery of innovative, modern digital public services. Connecting Government 2030, the Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service, reaffirms the commitment to a cloud-first approach, as set out in the 2019 Cloud Advice Note published by my Department. That note advised that new government systems should be developed to exploit the opportunities presented by cloud deployment, where possible, and all existing systems should be reviewed for cloud capability. Systems should move to public cloud or government private cloud environments over time and where appropriate and practicable.
However, in all cases, a move to cloud will be a business decision based on specific considerations made by individual public service organisations as part of a risk based assessment.
Of course, a cloud-first approach does not mean cloud-only. Consequently, organisations should and will take a range of considerations into account such as the risk profile of the data, where it resides, and other such issues. This will determine the appropriate hosting option, which may include public cloud, private cloud, or a hybrid of both as the most appropriate option for particular circumstances. Countries across the EU have public service systems or data that are treated similarly.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has begun a further review of the existing guidance on the use of cloud computing and I intend publishing an update later this year.
467. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the steps the Office of Government Procurement and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer will take to enable more efficient purchase of cloud services by public sector bodies, thereby helping to achieve the Government’s wider objectives of utilising the cloud to improve public service delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31252/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister recognises the role that Cloud computing plays in the delivery of public services. In support of this, the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) published a comprehensive Cloud Services Procurement Guidance Note which provides procurement and commercial guidance to Public Service Bodies in respect of their procurement of Cloud based solutions. This Guidance Note was well received by both the Cloud industry and Public Service Bodies, and complements the Cloud Computing Advice Note published by the OGCIO in 2020. My Department continues to monitor market and EU developments and has begun a further review of the existing guidance on the use of cloud computing and I intend publishing an update later this year.
468. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a person who has served in the Defence Forces for less than 21 years and has taken a position within the public service can have their pension contributions transferred to the single pension scheme in their new position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31262/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn answering the Deputy's question, it is assumed that the scenario outlined applies to an individual who has retired or resigned from a role in the Defence Forces, in which they were a member of a pre-existing public service pension scheme, and who has now accepted another public service role, where membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme applies. It should be noted that, in this scenario, the gap between both employments should be 26 weeks or more for Single Scheme membership to apply in the person's new employment, as per Section 10 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. If the gap is less than this, the individual has a right to continue in a relevant pre-existing pension scheme.
The transfer of retirement benefits accrued under pre-existing public service pension schemes into the Single Scheme is not permitted. However, a person retains their right to preserved benefits in a pre-existing public service pension scheme, which should be made available to them at preserved pension age, subject to that scheme's rules and regulations. The individual would also continue to accrue Single Scheme benefits, which will be payable to them on their retirement.
Where a person is currently in receipt of a public service pension and subsequently accepts another salaried role in the public service, their pension payment may be subject to abatement by their employer, as per Section 52 of the Single Scheme Act. Upon subsequent retirement, the individual will receive payment of their pre-existing public service pension in full, in addition to payment of their Single Scheme entitlements from their most recent employment.
If the individual had been a member of the Single Scheme in the Defence Forces and subsequently attained another role in the public service, they would simply continue accruing benefits within the Single Scheme.
469. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the total amount allocated and spent to date under the EU Brexit adjustment reserve; the specific projects to which funds were allocated; the amount of each allocation; the total amount allocated to Ireland under the reserve funding; the total amount expected to be drawn down by Ireland under this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31283/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for a full breakdown, by year since 2020, and by department, of all moneys drawn down from the Brexit adjustment reserve, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31665/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount returned unspent from allocated or available moneys from the Brexit adjustment reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31666/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if there are plans in Europe to announce a new funding mechanism to extend or replace unspent Brexit adjustment reserve funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31667/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 477, 478 and 479 together.
As a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the EU put in place funding support for Member States to mitigate the resulting impacts, in the form of a Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). The BAR provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
The BAR Regulation was formally adopted by the Council and Parliament in September and entered into force on 11 October 2021. Ireland’s BAR allocation is €802 million, the largest allocation for any Member State. Ireland has received its share in the form of pre-financing - approximately €361.7m for 2021, €276.7m in 2022, and €163.7m in 2023.
In order to be eligible for BAR funding, expenditure must fall within the BAR eligibility period for expenditure that runs from the 1st of January 2020 to the 31st of December 2023. Member states are required to submit their final claim to the Commission by end September 2024. The application for BAR funding must set out the negative impacts of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union and how the measures carried out under the Fund alleviate the adverse consequences.
There is no proposal for a new mechanism to extend or replace the BAR.
Following the BAR Regulation coming into force in October 2021, the Government allocated specific funding of €389 million in Budgets 2022 and 2023 across a number of sectors. Further to this, officials in my Department have engaged in a review exercise of Brexit related spending outside of that allocated in Budgets 2022 and 2023 which may qualify for inclusion in Ireland’s BAR claim. As a result, a total figure of approximately €900 million in Brexit spending has been identified for inclusion in Ireland's BAR claim.
The exact composition of Ireland's BAR claim will not be finalised until the claim is submitted to the EU Commission in September 2024. On that basis, as work is ongoing to finalise all Brexit-related spending to be included in the BAR claim, it is not possible at this time to confirm individual projects or final amounts of expenditure that will be included in the BAR claim.
That being said, the BAR fund has enabled the Government to make investments across a range of sectors to mitigate Brexit impact. These include for example: enterprise supports, measures to support fisheries and coastal communities, targeted supports for the agri-food sector, and checks and controls at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort.
From this total BAR allocation received by Ireland, significant funding has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This funding was allocated across the Department’s areas of responsibility, with a large proportion going to Fisheries and Aquaculture initiatives. Significant funding was also provided to increase operations in ports and address the customs implications of Brexit, including through funding provided for upgrade works in Rosslare port.
470. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department will publish an account of the progress of the working group at this time in its deliberations; if he will provide specific updates on the situation involving traffic pedestrian and vehicular on Lime Avenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31292/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
471. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of legal cases taken by his Department, or by agencies or bodies under his Department’s aegis, against another Department, Government agency or State body in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31369/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that neither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis have had any legal cases of the nature specified in the past five years.
472. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for a full breakdown for all moneys drawn down from Brexit adjustment reserve funding; how the moneys were spent; if any moneys announced in the seafood task force were returned unspent; if so, the amount in each of the years since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31462/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Union’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) is a unique regulation established specifically to provide support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial, and environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. The BAR funding complements funding provided by the Government.
In order to be eligible for BAR funding, expenditure must fall within the BAR eligibility period for expenditure that runs from the 1st of January 2020 to the 31st of December 2023. The application for BAR funding must set out the negative impacts of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union and how the measures carried out under the Fund alleviate the adverse consequences.
Ireland’s BAR allocation is €802 million, the largest allocation for any Member State. Ireland has received its share in the form of pre-financing - approximately €361.7m for 2021, €276.7m in 2022, and €163.7m in 2023.
Following the BAR Regulation coming into force in October 2021, the Government allocated specific funding of €389 million in Budgets 2022 and 2023 across a number of sectors. Further to this, officials in my Department have engaged in a review exercise of Brexit related spending outside of that allocated in Budgets 2022 and 2023 which may qualify for inclusion in Ireland’s BAR claim. As a result, a total figure of approximately €900 million in Brexit spending has been identified for potential inclusion in Ireland's BAR claim.
The exact composition of Ireland's BAR claim will not be finalised until the claim is submitted to the EU Commission in September 2024. As work is ongoing to finalise all Brexit-related spending to be included in the BAR claim, it is not possible at this time to confirm individual projects or final amounts of expenditure that will be included in the BAR claim.
That being said, the BAR fund has enabled the Government to make investments across a range of sectors to mitigate Brexit impact. These include for example: enterprise supports, measures to support fisheries and coastal communities, targeted supports for the agri-food sector, and checks and controls at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort.
As the Deputy will be aware under the BAR Member States were given sufficient flexibility to design measures and allocate expenditure most appropriate to their own situation. The exception to this was in respect of fisheries where a minimum amount of expenditure was ringfenced to support the sector.
From the total BAR allocation received by Ireland, significant funding has been allocated to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This funding was allocated across the Department’s areas of responsibility, with a large proportion going to Fisheries and Aquaculture initiatives. The amount allocated to this sector has exceeded the minimum amount required by the EU.
The Deputy has referred in particular to the recommendations contained in the Seafood Task Force Report. The Seafood Task Force was established to examine the impacts of the TCA on our fishing sector and coastal communities and to recommend mitigation measures. On foot of the recommendations of the Task Force, funding was provided to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for 16 schemes for the seafood sector. These schemes provided support for development and restructuring to ensure Ireland has a seafood sector that is as profitable and sustainable as it possibly can be, and to identify new opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities. It is expected that these schemes will be included as part of the BAR claim.
In addition to the schemes recommended by the Task Force, additional funding was made available by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to support investment in local authority maintained piers and harbours, as well as for Inshore Marketing schemes, and it is also expected that these schemes will be included in the BAR claim.
473. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on an issue raised by the acting chief economist of IFAC (details supplied) regarding the discrepancy between the capital expenditure outlined in the most recently published Stability Programme Update and summer economic statement, respectively; his plans to address the issue as outlined by IFAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31511/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Economic Statement is an important milestone in the annual budgetary process, it sets out the broad parameters for the forthcoming annual Budget in terms of current and capital, giving the wider macroeconomic context within which the parameters are set. It sets the basis for which my Department negotiates the overall allocations to each line Department and on that basis is vital for other Ministers to see the constraints within which they must plan to deliver and improve their services.
Since the Medium Term Expenditure Strategy was published in 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and high levels of inflation have required a responsive approach to the management of the public expenditure. Government’s response to this balanced the need to address expenditure priorities against the risk of overheating with an approach that delivered:
- sustainable and continued investment in public services and infrastructure;
- targeted support to protect the most vulnerable, including through permanent and temporary cost of living measures.
Overall the approach has been successful in not fuelling inflationary pressures. With inflation back at a projected 2.1 per cent for this year, the expenditure strategy for 2025 is targeted at addressing the challenges still arising from the high levels of inflation experienced across 2022 and 2023. The challenges are compounded by the unwinding of temporary measures, the increased demands on public services, and the need for further improvements in infrastructure. The lag effect in relation to inflation and the increased demands for public services are reflected in the existing level of service (ELS) requirement for 2025.
In 2025 total voted expenditure is set to grow by €6.9 billion or 6.9%. This increase is made up of a €5.5 billion or 6.4% uplift in total voted current expenditure and a €1.4 billion or 10.6% uplift in total voted capital expenditure.
The NDP is central to delivering the vital infrastructure needed to support our future economic and social progress. Capital expenditure has been prioritised in recent years, as shown by the additional €2.25 billion (over 2024 to 2026) agreed last year, all of which has been allocated to the NDP. For 2025, overall capital investment will increase by €1.4 billion (or 10.6%) to €14.5 billion in 2025. The capital expenditure amount of €14.5 billion for 2025 in the SES is as set out in the Stability Programme Update published in April.
My Department with the Department of Finance will continue to engage with IFAC on a regular basis and provide technical explanations or otherwise required through formal correspondence with IFAC as we typically do.
474. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the developments in terms of expenditure and capital works that have taken place at Rathfarnham Castle since 2020, or that are planned. [31620/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile there have been no major capital works in Rathfarnham Castle since 2020, two major projects are at an advanced stage of planning and will be progressed in the coming twelve months.
During excavations in 2014, significant archaeological finds were uncovered. These artefacts have been cleaned, catalogued, conserved and labelled in line with the standards of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI), and are currently being accessioned into the collection of the NMI.
While the accessioning is underway, OPW is concurrently applying to the NMI for long-term loans of significant items identified by the Finds Supervisor of the original dig. Alongside this, the OPW will tender for exhibition design in the coming weeks, and is undertaking surveys to the historic basement space that has been identified as the location for the new exhibition. Funds have been allocated for this project and a team assigned to its delivery.
Once this work has been completed by the NMI, the OPW will open an exhibition at Rathfarnham Castle to contextualise and display these items.
The exterior of Rathfarnham Castle is finished with a substance called lime harling, which is showing some deterioration. In order to prevent this occurring again, there are works that are required to the parapets and roof. This is a large works project which will necessitate a full scaffold being erected around the building. However, there is a short seasonal window in which the lime harling finish can be applied allowing for weather conditions and so it is anticipated that these works will take place in 2025. Funds have been allocated to undertake this project, and a senior architect has been assigned to oversee the design and completion.
Rathfarnham Castle continues to welcome visitors daily throughout the summer season, and will revert to winter opening hours (Wednesday-Sunday inclusive) in October. The Castle's exhibition and events programme is ongoing, with the next Live at Rathfarnham Castle concert taking place on 11th August. Two current exhibitions, Sojourn by Niamh McGuinne and Finds by the Midden Collective, are open to visitors free of charge during the Castle's usual opening hours. Finds offers artistic responses to a selection of the artefacts from the 2014 dig, so may be of particular interest to visitors with an interest in the future permanent exhibition.
Rathfarnham Castle will also hold events for Heritage Week, the Open House Festival, the Red Line Book Festival, and the Dublin Festival of History.
475. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the capital expenditure by his Department on the Whitechurch Stream and River Poddle flood alleviation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme and the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme are both led by South Dublin County Council with funding provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW). This funding is part of the Government’s commitment of €1.3 billion for the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030. Construction of both of these Schemes is being undertaken directly by the OPW.
The Whitechurch Steam Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced construction in Q1 2023. The Total Project Budget for this scheme is estimated to be in the region of €8.6m. The Capital Expenditure to date for this scheme is €3.6m.
The River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme commenced construction in Q1 2024. The Total Project Budget for this scheme is estimated to be in the region of €19m. The Capital Expenditure to date for this scheme is €2.9m.
476. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has received a request from An Garda Síochána since 2021 to fund the refurbishment of Garda immigration unit based at Dublin Port; and if so, the nature of refurbishments that were carried out. [31645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin Port Garda Immigration Office provides critical infrastructure to facilitate immigration processing and border control. The project was delivered by OPW on behalf of the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána. The project was funded by An Garda Síochána.
The building is located adjacent to the IUPT Ferry Terminal in Dublin Port.
Works undertaken comprised the re-use, refurbishment and fit-out of the 700 sq.m building.
The brief of requirements provided by An Garda Síochána. was accommodated within the existing building footprint, and include a public reception, immigration processing areas, open and cellular offices, canteen, staff changing facilities, and other ancillary spaces.
The works included substantial internal demolitions and reconfiguration to the room layout, significant structural upgrade to accommodate roof-mounted plant, replacement roofing and external glazed facade systems, new fire safety strategy, and upgrade of universal access, security and thermal efficiency measures. Works included a Deep Energy Retrofit that involved a major thermal upgrade of the building fabric including installation of renewable energy measures that fully heat the building. The new offices are naturally ventilated; with the replacement glazing system matching the design of the original exterior design incorporating opening sections. Upon completion, the building obtained a B1 BER energy rating.
The construction phase was completed in under 12 months and the building was handed over to An Garda Síochána in December 2021.
480. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will extend the remit of the Ombudsman to include Uisce Éireann; if he will extend the remit of the Ombudsman to all companies in public ownership; if consideration is also being given to extending access to the complaints mechanism to prisoners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31750/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ombudsman currently has jurisdiction by default in relation to any company where a majority of shares are held by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government, unless it is specifically excluded under the terms of the Ombudsman Act. At present, there are no plans to make changes to the current arrangements.
In relation to prisons, engagement is ongoing between the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice on the first instance complaint handling mechanisms and structures that are required to support the Ombudsman's role. Once these preparations have been completed, if required my Department will undertake any steps that may be necessary to formally extend the Ombudsman's jurisdiction.
