Written Answers Nos. 481-500
481. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide the results of the OPW's spring survey conducted in respect of Castletown House. [31868/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
482. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide a breakdown of the moneys Ireland has received to date from the EU recovery and resilience facility; the distribution of the grants received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNextGenerationEU is the EU’s temporary recovery instrument to support Europe’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and build a greener, more digital and more resilient future. The centrepiece of NextGenerationEU is the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) - an instrument that offers grants and loans to support reforms and investments in the EU Member States. RRF funds are being provided to Member States in line with their National Recovery and Resilience plans (NRRP) – the roadmaps to reforms and investments aimed to make EU economies greener, digital and more resilient.
Following the Commission’s positive assessment of Ireland’s modified plan including the REPowerEU chapter, Ireland’s NRRP is now worth €1.15 billion in grants over the lifetime of the RRF.
It is important to note that the RRF is a performance-based instrument with payment contingent on the achievement of milestones and targets. The projects in the NRRP are pre-funded through the estimates processes; the RRF monies from the EU are lodged to the Exchequer. There are five payment instalments.
Ireland’s first payment request for €324m has been approved by the Commission, with the funds disbursed to the Exchequer on 11 July. This corresponds to 28% of all the funds in the revised Irish plan, with 40 or 34% of all the milestones and targets satisfactorily completed.
This request covered 35 milestones and 5 targets, including investments in jobs and skills through the Recovery Skills response programme, the commencement of retrofit works under the Public Sector Buildings' Energy Retrofit Programme, the signature of the contract for the building of the Government data centre, the connection of schools to the broadband network and work to enable the future electrification of public transport in Cork.
The payment request also includes a series of reforms including on climate action, addressing the digital divide through a new digital strategy for schools and providing disadvantaged students with ICT equipment, reducing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship by introducing an ‘SME test’ for new legislation and on tax, pension, housing and pension reform.
483. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if provision has been made in either voted current spending or budgetary decisions in table 1 of the summer economic statement, with respect to future public service pay agreements, in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2029, respectively. [31891/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra491. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the projected increase in public sector pay bill inclusive of pensions out to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32121/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 491 together.
The recent Public Service Pay Agreement covers the years 2024 through to 2026. The full cost of this agreement is €3.6 billion over the period. The Existing Level of Service (ELS) provisions in the Summer Economic Statement (SES) reflect the impact of the costs of this agreement.
As outlined in the SES, there is an ELS provision of 3½ per cent of the current expenditure base for the period 2026 to 2030. As there is no public service pay agreement in place beyond 2026, the ELS amounts in the SES for the period 2027-2030, which are based on technical assumptions, are set at a level to take into account a range of factors including the impact of demographics and changes in pay rates over this period.
As noted in the SES, the ELS amounts will be re-estimated each year with such a reassessment post 2026 also taking into account the impact on these technical assumptions of the parameters of any future public service pay agreement.
484. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to confirm if a contingency reserve, previously totalling €4.5 billion in the stability programme update, is provided in voted current spending in table 1 of the summer economic statement in each of the years 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2029, respectively; the amount in this reserve in each of those years; a breakdown of this allocation across programmes such as: Ukraine related expenditure, Covid-related expenditure, international protection expenditure, EU funds and Brexit-related expenditure, transport expenditure, and so on, in each of those years. [31893/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile we operate in an uncertain international environment with wars in Ukraine, Middle East and Africa, and deal with certain legacy impacts of the pandemic, it is appropriate to maintain a contingency reserve within the overall expenditure amounts across the years 2025 to 2030 in line with what was previously set out in the Stability Programme Update (SPU).
In Budget 2024 a sum of €4.5bn was allocated for non-core items that are now aligned with the contingency reserve. These reflect costs that driven by external developments or additional EU funded projects that must be taken account of in the expenditure ceiling. The allocation in 2024 covered pressures such as our humanitarian response to the arrivals fleeing war in Ukraine (€2.5bn), legacy Covid issues (€1.3bn) mainly in the Health area, EU funding related projects (€0.35bn) primarily under the EU National Recovery and Resilience Plan and certain other payments including under the Mother and Baby Home payment scheme.
The €4.5 billion provision outlined for the Contingency Reserve in the SPU will be fully utilised in 2025 in meeting current and capital needs, primarily across Health (and is included in the overall 2025 Health allocation set out in the SES), Ukraine and IPAS related costs. This will also provide for allocations related to certain EU funded programmes, broadly in line with this year’s amounts, and smaller demands across a limited number of other areas. In relation to the balance of the contingency reserve, it is expected that savings in expenditure in relation to Covid and other items funded within the overall amount for this year will arise and will be utilised to offset pressures on international protection expenditure.
The final amounts in relation to each area to be funded from the contingency reserve will be determined as part of the Estimates process.
The requirements in relation to expenditure in future years to be funded from the contingency reserve will be considered on an annual basis as part of the Estimates process taking into account, in particular, developments in the international environment.
485. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when the works scheduled to commence in June 2024 on the national monument in Moore Street will commence; and the nature of those works. [31904/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government, having considered all of the issues and having consulted extensively with all relevant stakeholders throughout the Moore Street Advisory Group process, have now decided to proceed with a scheme of works at 14 – 17 Moore St. which will preserve the property and allow it to be opened to the public.
In broad terms, the project will consist of the careful conservation of the original fabric and its adaptation to allow for safe access by members of the public. In parallel with the conservation of the buildings, the project team will create a visitor experience within the various rooms which will convey the story of the events of 1916 and their importance to the national story. The presentation will also describe the lives of the people who occupied the houses both before and after the Rising and the society in which they lived.
A second element of the project will consist of the construction of a new building on a site to the rear of the properties, with an extant basement area, which will provide additional facilities for visitors and will create a space for temporary exhibitions and events.
The Deputy should be aware that the project scope has altered since the original scheme some years ago and has been affected by a number of issues including the proposed nearby commercial developments and changes to building standards and regulations in the intervening period. Currently, the OPW are working on revised designs and intend to apply for Ministerial Consent to the Minister for Housing Local Government & Heritage under the National Monuments Act in September. Thereafter, assuming approval of the new proposals, the current programme indicates a start on site in approximately late 2025.
486. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if access issues to a State-owned property (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31925/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
487. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of the works to Cashel Garda station, Hogan Square, Cashel, County Tipperary; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a separate budget is required for additional civil works at the rear, specifically for the development of a car park and associated provisions; when this budget will be approved in order that these civil works can be completed in conjunction with the current works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32059/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works can confirm that the fabric upgrade of Cashel Garda Station and the conversion of the adjoining married quarters into office accommodation is continuing on site. These works include the upgrade of the external building fabric, to include roof works, windows, doors, external insulation along with the conversion of the married quarters to office accommodation and internal inter-connection of the new offices with the station.
The works commenced on 20 November 2023 and are due for completion at the end of August 2024.
There are no civil works to the rear yard included in the current works contract. Any proposal to develop this area for car parking usage and the funding of same is a matter for An Garda Síochána to address.
488. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has ever employed a company (details supplied) to provide security personnel at any OPW site in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; if so, the amount the OPW paid this company for the service provided. [32082/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
489. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide an update on the progression of the funding application submitted by Cork County Council for the rollout of individual property protection for properties in Midleton, County Cork, affected by flooding in the wake of storm Babet; when he expects the funding application to be approved by his Department; if it is envisaged that the individual property protection funding will also be made available to affected local properties that have installed, or are in the process of installing, individual property protection due to the threat of flooding; if there are plans to extend the funding to other parts of East Cork affected by the same storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra490. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he expects the application for planning consent for the Midleton flood relief scheme to be lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32100/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together.
The OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
492. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will respond to correspondence regarding a flood relief scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
493. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will set out the composition of the €3.7 billion existing services level expenditure by Departments, as set out in the summer economic statement; the percentage increase against the revised estimates allocated to each Department and the one-off measures netted off against the €3.7 billion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32323/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Summer Economic Statement (SES) 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 and is the basis for which my Department negotiates the overall allocations to each Department.
The 2024 SES set out an indicative provision of €3.7 billion to meet Existing Levels of Service (ELS) costs. This amount is net of the reversal of temporary measures which were part of the Budget 2024 Cost of Living package to support households and businesses and, as set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, had costs fall in 2024. The €3.7 billion is an overall provision and allocations by Department will be determined as part of Budget 2025 negotiations.
ELS provides funding for the continued delivery of public services, including;
• Childcare enhancements to the National Childcare Strategy and continued implementation of funding;
• Carryover costs of measures for disability services including the Workplace Relations Commission agreement;
• Additional funding to meet commitments in relation to social housing, homelessness and water services;
• Extension of hot school meals and child benefit and introduction of pay related benefit for Jobseekers;
• Funding to meet demographic requirements, including additional staff, across key sectors including Education, Social Protection and Health.
A range of factors will be considered when determining the breakdown of ELS costs allocated as part of Budget 2025. This includes looking at actual demand in the current year compared to that underpinning the budgetary allocation, the potential impacts of new and existing initiatives on demand and utilisation patterns, impact of demographics on demand, specific price pressures, as well as any capacity constraints that may exist. Work examining these is underway as part of Budget 2025 preparation.
The final amounts in relation to each area to be funded as part of ELS and New Measures will be determined as part of the Estimates process. Increases in funding in Budget 2025 compared to the 2024 allocations for each Department will be published in the Expenditure Report.
494. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of air changes or cleanings or filtrations or purifications per hour in the Dáil and Seanad Chambers; how this compares with other public buildings, for example, schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32465/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Office of Public Works that Fresh air is provided to the Dáil Chamber by means of a Mechanical Ventilation System. The system provides fresh air equivalent to 5.3 Air Changes per Hour. The fresh air flowrate per person (assuming occupancy of 132 people) is 31 litres/second /person. The recommend minimum fresh air supply rate for this type of Public Space is 10 litres/second/person (as recommended by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers).
The Seanad Chamber is ventilated by means of a hybrid ventilation system incorporating both Mechanical Ventilation and Natural Ventilation (openable windows). The mechanical ventilation system provides fresh air, equivalent to 2.1 Air Changes per Hour to the space. This equates to a fresh airflow rate per person (assuming occupancy of 66 people) of 4.5 litres/second/person. The additional required fresh air is provided by means of Natural Ventilation. The space has openable windows on three sides.
495. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department has undertaken every possible step to make and keep the lands at Castletown accessible to people with disabilities and to the emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32466/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
496. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated full-year cost of ensuring that every public sector worker is paid a minimum of €15 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32612/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra498. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of people working in the public sector earning less than the living wage of €15 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32614/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 498 together.
In relation to the civil service, for which my Department holds detailed data, the suggested Living Wage at €15 per hour based on the civil service 35 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of approximately €27,395. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that approximately less than 0.2% of staff (FTE) in the civil service are on salary points less than the suggested Living Wage. It is expected that this number will reduce significantly on implementation of the next pay adjustment of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, due on October 1 2024 under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.
Those currently on an annual salary of less than €27,395 may be receiving remuneration in excess of the suggested living wage through additional premium payments in respect of shift work or atypical working hours. In addition, these salary scales progress to the suggested Living Wage and above through normal incremental progression.
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 general round increases totalling 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 benefits of up to 17.3%, inclusive of the local bargaining provision.
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.
497. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated full-year cost of ensuring that every public sector worker earning under €100,000 receives a pay increase of 10% in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32613/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total public service pay bill figure (inclusive of Local Authorities) for 2024 is estimated to be €27.5 billion. This includes all elements of pay, including basic pay, allowances, overtime, premia, and employer PRSI. The estimated cost of a 10% pay increase for public service workers earning less than €100,000 would be approx. €2.6 billion.
499. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his policy on independent boards of State agencies; whether these are required in legislation that establishes each agency in line with principles of good governance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32616/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the role and levels of accountability of State boards have evolved significantly over the last number of years during which we have seen marked developments in the importance of oversight, transparency, disclosure and the management of risk and change. State boards are today required to engage in active oversight, provide clear direction and guidance to State bodies, and are held responsible and accountable for ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance. To do this they require very specific skills and experience. The State boards selection procedures introduced by the Government in 2011 and revised in 2014 underpins the transparency, independence and objectivity of State board membership. All State bodies should have published Codes of Conduct for their Board and employees. The Code of Conduct should refer to the need for each member of the board of a State body holding a designated board membership to ensure his/her compliance with relevant provisions of the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, including disclosure of registrable interests by holders of designated board memberships.
The Code of Practice For the Governance of State Bodies (The Code), published by my Department, forms the prevailing reference framework for good governance as applicable to State boards. The Code was developed to encourage good practice corporate governance arrangements, better decision-making in respect of strategic direction and resource allocation, and to facilitate transparency and external scrutiny of how State boards manage their business. The Code provides a good reference framework for State boards, in respect of their role and expectations as joint and individual board members. The Code is required to be considered in conjunction with the wider range of governance codes, companies act, legislative provisions, government circulars and guidance notes.
Board independence is a critical feature to ensure that the State organisations are run effectively, to deliver on their mission. The Code sets out a robust process whereby the State boards have clear authority in their sphere, to guide the operation of the State body and to hold the CEO and senior management to account against the organisations strategy. The Code further provides for robust engagement between the State body and the relevant Department and that includes features such as oversight agreements and performance delivery agreements. These agreements act as a performance contract between the parent Department and the State body in which an agreed level of performance or service is formalised. Taken together these measures ensure that the State board has a clear understanding of the relevant policy context set by Government, has capacity to guide the State body towards maximum performance in this context, and has systems for accountability back to the parent Department.
The current governance arrangements for all boards and their members both in legislation and in the supporting codes introduced by my Department provide a strong framework for appropriate board independence.
