Written Answers Nos. 432-451
432. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an update on the establishment of the River Shannon Management Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35335/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe preparation of legislation to improve the management of flood risk on the River Shannon is a Government priority, with the River Shannon Management Body Bill on the priority legislation list for drafting for Autumn 2024. The main purpose of the Bill is to improve flood risk management for the River Shannon catchment.
As the Deputy is aware, the management of flood risk on the river is closely intertwined with other uses of the river such as for navigation, dam safety and electricity generation. An analysis of existing legislation regarding the management of the River Shannon, including a review of the powers of various bodies involved with the river has been undertaken. Given the powers and functions of the various bodies involved, the preparation of legislative proposals is complex. In this context, there is a requirement for consultation and, when completed, legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General on a proposed approach. The OPW, in line with Government direction, is prioritising this work. Subject to completion of the requisite consultation and advice from the Office of the Attorney General, it is anticipated that the text of the Bill will be brought to Cabinet in due course.
433. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW will fund works to safeguard, from further costal erosion, a scenic area in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35387/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoastal protection and localised flooding issues are matters, in the first instance, for each local authority to investigate and address.
To assist local authorities in managing the coastline for coastal erosion, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has undertaken a national assessment of coastal erosion (including erosion rates) under the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS). This data enables local authorities to develop appropriate plans and strategies for the sustainable management of the coastline in their counties.
In addition to this, the OPW provides support to local authorities through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme, which has been in operation since 2009. The scheme provides funding to local authorities to undertake minor works or studies to address localised flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative areas. Applications for funding from local authorities for measures, or studies, costing up to €750,000 can be made under this scheme. Funding of up to 90% of the total cost is available, subject to meeting specific economic, technical, social, and environmental criteria.
In 2016, the OPW approved funding of €36,000, under this scheme, to Donegal County Council for the installation of rock armour to protect the existing falling sea wall at Inver, Co. Donegal and in 2020 for the same location the OPW approved funding of €18,000 to Donegal County Council for rock armour along the line of the existing gabions in order to protect these gabions from further damage. Progression of the works is a matter for Donegal County Council.
The Government recognises the clear challenge posed by coastal erosion and established an Inter-Departmental Group on Managing Coastal Change Strategy to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the projected impact of coastal change to our coastal communities.
Following the publication of the report of the Interdepartmental Group on Coastal Change Management, the Government established a steering group to act on the recommendations of the report. This group will also develop an evidence-based coastal change management strategy facilitating key decisions to be taken to address and manage the impacts of coastal change over the short, medium and longer term. The group is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who have lead policy responsibility for this area. The Office of Public Works is represented on the steering group and is providing input to the work programme as appropriate.
434. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW will fund works to safeguard against further flooding in County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35388/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW is currently piloting a new delivery model for flood relief schemes, which will inform the prioritisation of future schemes nationally and the scope of services required from consultants to design and construct flood relief schemes.
As part of this pilot Donegal County Council have received approval to commence the data collection for the Donegal Town Flood Relief scheme prior to appointing a consultant to progress the scheme. If a viable scheme is identified then funding would be made available for the construction and delivery of a flood relief scheme for Donegal Town. In addition a number of additional posts have been funded in Donegal County Council by the OPW to assist in progressing this work.
The pilot is expected to take some 18 months from the recruitment by Donegal County Council of three additional staff to its Flood Relief Unit. The procurement of these staff is close to completion as an additional senior executive engineer and executive engineer are now in place, with the remaining assistant staff officer still to be recruited.
Donegal County Council can also implement localised flood mitigation measures with funding from the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for all locations ahead of the completion of a flood relief scheme for the community.
The purpose of this minor works scheme is to provide funding to Local Authorities to undertake short-term measures in the form of minor flood mitigation works to address localised fluvial flooding and coastal protection problems within their administrative area. The scheme applies, where a flood defence solution can be readily identified and achieved within a short timeframe. Under the scheme, applications are considered for projects that are estimated to cost not more than €750,000. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects.
A minor works application was approved for Donegal Town by the OPW in 2019 for the Clareden Drive area. Donegal County Council completed several minor interventions using these funds, including replacement of an undersized culvert in the Brookfield area and vegetation clearance to improve conveyance along the River Eske. Furthermore, non-return valves were installed at Clareden Drive to prevent backflow through the drainage system which has caused flooding during lower return period flows in the River Eske.
435. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the State owns and-or has an interest in a parcel of land (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35469/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW need more time to collate the information and will respond directly to the Deputy.
436. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount being paid for rental of car parking spaces for Leinster House (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35537/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW need more time to collate the information and will respond directly to the Deputy.
437. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide the outlined business case, the initial proposed costings and a final costings report for a new bicycle shelter to facilitate storage of 18 bicycles, at a cost of over €330,000, supplied to Leinster House recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35548/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra438. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if, in respect of the reported cost of €330,000 to provide a bicycle shelter at Leinster House for storage of 18 bicycles, he will outline the cost-benefit analysis that was conducted prior to the granting of this funding award; the tender process that was used; the number of contractors that were invited to tender; the value-for-money basis on which the project was approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35549/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra440. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will investigate the high cost associated with the planning and construction of the bike shelter in the Leinster House complex; the name of the contractor involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35600/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra454. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform for an elemental cost breakdown of the expenditure on the new bicycle shelter at Leinster House, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35944/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra456. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform when he expects the report into the contracted cost for provision of a bicycle stand at Leinster House to be completed; and if he will commit to publishing it in full. [35966/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 437, 438, 440, 454 and 456 together.
I have requested that my officials in the Office of Public Works carry out an immediate, full review into the Leinster House covered bicycle shelter project.
I am currently awaiting the finalised report from the Chairman of the OPW.
439. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if, in respect of the Gate Lodge at the main entrance to St. Enda's Park and the Pearse museum, which was originally constructed as a residential property and inhabited until the year 2000, he agrees that this once-residential property, in the ownership of the State, should be returned to the use for which it was constructed, that is to have a person or persons living in it; if he will instruct his Department to action this; and if not, the reason thereof. [35567/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gate Lodge at St. Enda's park dates from 1830s and was occupied until 2000. At that time, the Office of Public Works considered the feasibility of updating the lodge to modern building standards for residential accommodation or to use it as office accommodation for landscape staff at St. Enda's.
Both options would have required significant alterations to the existing structure that were considered undesirable. The Gate Lodge is very constrained at around 50 m2 with any potential usage requiring extensions to this historic building.
It was considered that such an intervention would be detrimental to the architectural integrity of the site and modern interventions to encompass elements such as bathroom and kitchen would have a negative impact on the historic, granite gate entrance. It was decided to renovate the roof to keep the building safe but not to undertake any further works. It is currently used for storage.
441. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department is aware of the updated National Planning Framework’s forecast that 50% of future population and job growth will occur outside the five cities and their suburbs; if his Department is examining how the regional distribution of public investment might change to reflect these new projections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35606/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level. The responsibility for the management and delivery of individual investment projects or sectoral policy strategies, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Each Minister is responsible for 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.
Project Ireland 2040 – comprising the National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Planning Framework (NPF) - remains the Government’s long-term overarching strategy to make Ireland a better country for all of its people. The National Planning Framework (NPF) was published in 2018 following extensive research, consultation and environmental assessment processes. As the Deputy is aware Government formally commenced the process to undertake a review of the NPF in June 2023 in order to appropriately reflect changes to government policy that have taken place since its initial publication in 2018, such as climate transition, regional development, demographics, digitalisation and investment and prioritisation.
The draft NPF published in July, echoes the 2018 forecast of 50% city growth and 50% growth to occur in key regional centres, towns, villages and rural areas. The NDP also seeks to ensure that a greater level of development and investment is focused within our rural villages, our towns and our cities so that our three regions can grow in line with the NPF forecast.
442. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the Office of Public Works intends on cleaning a river (details supplied) for which it has responsibility, as this river and its banks have not been cleaned for six years and is totally overgrown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35617/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended.
The location concerned forms part of the Corrib-Headford Arterial Drainage Scheme. The channels at the location concerned are currently included in the OPW Annual Maintenance Programme for 2025 and will be surveyed in the coming weeks to plan the scope of works involved.
443. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform , further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 20 June, when a comprehensive response will issue to the question. [35620/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra444. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform , further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 20 June, when a comprehensive response will issue to the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35694/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
I regret the delay in responding to the Deputy’s questions. The information requested is being finalised and a direct response will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.
445. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the cost incurred by the OPW in the installation and removal of a gate and turnstile, respectively at the smoking area on the grounds of Leinster House next to the entrance beside the members restaurant in the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35757/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW needs more time to collate the information and will respond directly to the Deputy.
446. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the average waiting time for an appeal lodged with the Information Commissioner; if he intends to provide additional resources to speed up the length of time it is taking to make decisions; his plans to reform the Freedom of Information legislation; when the final review report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35841/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2023, the latest year for which statistics are available, 51% of reviews by the Information Commissioner were concluded within four months, with 92% of reviews concluded within 12 months. Given the complexity of the issues that routinely arise, the Commissioner and his staff are to be commended for the efficiency with which FOI reviews are carried out.
Resources for the Office of the Ombudsman within which the Office of the Information Commissioner sits, are considered in the context of the annual estimate process. My Department continues to engage with the Office with regard to resourcing in 2025.
In relation to the review of the Freedom of Information Act, the progress update published by my Department sets out the general direction, across three main strands. Firstly, a more coherent approach to information governance and access. Secondly, supplementing formal FOI requests with less bureaucratic and more direct ways of achieving transparency, including proactive publication of information. Thirdly, various issues and proposals for improving the FOI request process. The review report is now nearing completion. It is intended that the recommendations arising from the review will inform next steps.
My Department aims to bring the FOI final review report to Government for approval to publish in the coming months. Any updates to the FOI legislation, if required, will follow from the review recommendations.
447. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he plans on reinstating the supplementary pension for members of Dublin Fire Brigade who are on the fast accrual single public service pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35895/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Single Public Service Pension Scheme is a statutory Public Service Career-Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, established on 1 January 2013 under the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012. Single Scheme pension benefits are integrated with the State Pension (Contributory) as members pay Class A PRSI.
All new entrants to the public service, hired after 1 January 2013, are members of the Single Scheme. Firefighters, members of the Permanent Defence Force, members of An Garda Síochána, and Prison Officers are categorised as members of the ‘Uniformed Accrual’ cohort of Single Scheme members. The uniformed grades have certain enhanced benefits that other members of the Single Scheme do not have, in recognition of their earlier retirement age, such as accelerated pension benefits accrual and early payment of scheme benefits, compared with Standard Accrual members. This enables them to accrue more Single Scheme benefits over the expected shorter public service careers in these roles.
Once members of the ‘Uniformed Accrual’ cohort reach their normal retirement age, as provided for in Section 26 of the 2012 Act, they can retire at that earlier age and receive their occupational retirement benefits accrued at a higher rate, including their retirement lump-sum and the commencement of their pension benefit payments.
Whilst 'Uniformed Accrual' members have compulsory retirement ages lower than the State Pension (Contributory) retirement age, they receive their occupational pension benefits under the Single Scheme on retirement, and they are still able to work in other employment in the intervening period, while fully accessing their occupational Single Scheme pension benefits (subject to abatement, where applicable). The Single Scheme does not provide for a ‘Supplementary Pension’ and no changes of this policy are being considered at this time.
An increased mandatory retirement age of 62 for firefighters was recently introduced by Government, following the commencement of the relevant Part 11 provisions of the Courts, Civil Law, Criminal Law and Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024. This legislative change facilitates an increase in the number of years over which firefighters, and other Uniformed Accrual members, can accrue pension benefits, should they choose to do so. This option is available to Uniformed Accrual members of the Single Scheme as well as those in pre-existing public service pension schemes.
448. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the composition of Ireland's Brexit adjustment reserve claim; if it has been submitted to the EU authorities at this point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35904/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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).
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 the 30th of 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.
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.
The exact composition of Ireland's BAR claim will not be finalised until the claim is submitted to the EU Commission. 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.
449. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if support will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund to resource the development of football academies across the State, taking into account the impact of Brexit on the game in Ireland, and the employment and career prospects of young players; if a formal request has been made by the relevant Department to include support for the football sector under the terms of the BAR fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35905/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
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 the 30th of 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.
On that basis, no further funding is available under the BAR.
450. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35910/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) that the former Garda station at Dalkey comprises two properties on one site with the main Garda station property on Tubbermore Road and a second property on Sorrento Road.
In accordance with their Disposals Policy, and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform Circular: Protocols for the Transfer and Sharing of State Property Assets. (DPENDPDR Circular 11/15), the OPW sought alternative State use by offering the property to all relevant State Bodies including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
As none of the State Bodies expressed an interest in acquiring the properties were offered for sale at auction in June 2024 as two separate lots.
The Sorrento Road property went sale agreed with the highest bidder at auction and the sale closed on the 4th September 2024.
There were no bids at auction for the Tubbermore Road property and, subsequent to the auction, a number of private treaty bids were received and the highest offer has been accepted by the OPW.
451. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the status of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35911/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that ownership of the former Garda station property at Kill O’ the Grange transferred to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on the 28th of May 2024. Therefore, the maintenance and upkeep of the property is a matter for the council.
