Written Answers Nos. 270-285
273. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23029/23]
View answerDuring the timeframe specified by the Deputy, none of my Department’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish and 0.5% featured bilingual translations. My Department intends to increase its Irish content, especially around regular posts such as the exchequer returns.
Those bodies under the aegis of my Department with social media accounts have advised as follows:
Between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, 3% of the Central Bank of Ireland’s social media content was posted exclusively through Irish, while 1% of social content during the same timeframe featured bilingual translations.
The Credit Review Office is a very small organisation and carries out a very low level of social media activity with a small number of posts as they have minimal resources to support such activity. As such, none of the social media posts during the timeframe specified were exclusively in Irish or featured any bilingual translations.
Under the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman’s (FSPO) current Strategic Plan 2021-2024, Connecting and Innovating, and in order to deliver on its strategic priority to connect and engage with consumers, providers, regulatory bodies and others to help build a better understanding of its role and how to access its services, the FSPO established its use of social media, through an official Facebook page, in January 2022. The FSPO’s Communications and Engagement Strategy recognises that all communications must be available in accessible formats to service users, in accordance with the Web Accessibility Directive and the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies. In addition, the FSPO notes the relevant provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 in relation to advertising by public bodies. Of the social media posts made during the timeframe specified, 22% were exclusively in Irish and none featured bilingual translations.
Home Building Finance Ireland confirmed that it is active on LinkedIn and none of its posts on that platform were exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations.
None of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish. In relation to bilingual translation, all posts can be translated providing web browser translator tool is enabled and that the user has translation services enabled within social media platforms featuring bilingual translations. The Council recognises the importance of ensuring that its ICT infrastructure is accessible. It ensures that its videos are subtitled, that images have alt text and that content on the website is machine readable so that it is compatible with immersive readers. It is committed to ensuring that its website continues to meet the basic four POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) principles.
The National Treasury Management Agency is active on Twitter and LinkedIn. None of its social media posts were exclusively in Irish and did not feature bilingual translations.
While the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General posted none of its social media posts exclusively in Irish, 32% featured bilingual translations.
Of the Office of the Revenue Commissioner’s social media activity in the reference period, none was exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations. Likewise, none of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations.
The Tax Appeals Commission uses Twitter as a means to issue notifications to tax practitioners and accountants when a new determination is published on its website. None of the notifications are made exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations. However, if a member of the public requested the post be translated into another language, this could be accommodated. To date, the Commission has not received any requests and does not use any other form of social media.
274. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance how his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [23047/23]
View answerMy Department adheres fully to its requirements as set out by the Disability Act of 2005. The Department has an appointed Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who liaises closely with both current staff and those in the pre-employment process to ensure that employees are supported in terms of disclosing any disabilities and in facilitating reasonable accommodations that they may require. The DLO also works closely with the National Disability Authority to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with its obligations under the Act. All reasonable accommodation requests by staff with disabilities have been expedited fully and promptly.
In addition, in 2016-17, a major refurbishment project was undertaken in Government Buildings on Merrion Street. As part of that project, for example, electronic doors were installed to assist the movement of staff across the campus. In 2019, an external lift was installed to South Block to allow staff and visitors with mobility difficulties to access the building easier, to ensure compliance in respect of accessibility.
The Department’s website (www.gov.ie/finance.ie), internal intranet and the Build to Share programmes which are used by staff in the course of their work, all have software to aid the visually impaired. A ‘loop’ system’ is in place in the Department’s Whitaker Conference Room for the hearing impaired.
The Department regularly holds “Power Hours”, which are awareness presentations for staff, in the areas of Autism, Dyslexia in the Workplace and supports the annual International Day of People with Disabilities.
My Department has also assigned Access Officers in the categories of:
• Access Officer - Services and Buildings
• Access Officer - Information
Furthermore, my Department is committed to providing a safe working environment; whether in the physical office space or home work space. As such, all employees are required to complete ergonomic risk assessments, and these facilities continue to be made available to staff who avail of blended working. To support reasonable accommodation requests, from a health and safety perspective a risk assessment may be conducted. The risk assessment will review if it is practicable, possible and safe for a person to work in the workplace or workstation without any special or additional facilities.
I am advised by the bodies under the aegis of my Department as follows:
The Central Bank of Ireland is committed to meeting its obligations under the Employment Equality Acts, and to supporting disability diversity and inclusion. This is outlined in the Bank’s Diversity & Inclusion Strategy 2022-2026. Colleagues at any time can seek referral to the Bank’s occupational health specialist via their manager where accommodations can be requested. Similarly, a manager can request additional support for an employee if they feel it will be helpful or important to do so. The Bank, in partnership with its employee-led networks, and in particular the BankAbility Network, helps create an environment where employees will feel comfortable to disclose their disability in order for it to provide the support and/or accommodations they may require. It assesses ergonomic requirements/reasonable accommodations, some direct to Health & Safety and others through occupational health assessment. Any reasonable accommodations advised to the Bank during pre-employment screening, or following a medical absence, or at any time, are considered and supported. These are communicated to the individual and their manager and are monitored through regular engagement. The Bank communicates in all job adverts and on its careers website that it is an equal opportunities employer and that it will make any reasonable accommodations necessary throughout each stage of the recruitment process.
The Bank has in place a mandatory Diversity & Inclusion e-learning offering for all staff, as well as a classroom training option and associated guidance and resources. These include a focus on core concepts such as equality, equity and unconscious bias, actionable tips for working and managing inclusively, including creating awareness around its approach for making reasonable accommodations. Its headquarters on North Wall Quay has won national and international awards for its accessibility. Embedding universal design has created a better environment for all employees and visitors. This approach has reduced the need to facilitate reasonable accommodations retrospectively on a more expensive case-by-case basis. Some examples of accommodations within the last twelve months include (i) sign language interpreting services for job interviews and meetings, (ii) additional ergonomic assessment and equipment to enhance the physical workspace in the office or while working from home, (iii) adaptations or modifications of work tasks, management styles, instruction and communication of information, and (iv) assistive technology e.g. screen reading software, screen magnification and voice activated software.
The Central Bank assigns staff to another body under my Department's remit, the Investor Compensation Company DAC.
The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) fully recognises its obligations and responsibilities with regards the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 and the Disability Act 2005, and is committed to enabling access to employment, including for persons with disabilities. The FSPO operates its recruitment campaigns in compliance with the Codes of Practice for Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service and is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for prospective candidates. It has an appointed Access Officer who is responsible for ensuring appropriate measures are put in place to enable employees with a disability to carry out their work on an equal footing with other employees. In addition, a staff census undertaken indicated that in 2022, at 14.1%, the FSPO exceeded the minimum requirement set out in the Disability Act 2005 in relation to the level of employment of people with disabilities, demonstrating that its policies have been effective in reaching and maintaining the targets set out in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Persons with Disabilities. The FSPO continues to enhance practices in this area and has emphasised the requirement to achieve an inclusive and diverse workplace over the course of the next strategic period.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s Recruitment Policy and Procedures outlines equality of opportunity, articulating that rights under the Employment Equality Acts are guaranteed and that no one will receive less favourable treatment and can be assured of equality of participation in the workplace and that all employees have a responsibility to create a working environment in which differences are respected. The Fiscal council is aware of obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. This is achieved by affording an individual with a disability equal participation in the recruitment process. Reasonable accommodations will be implemented which may be required in respect of changes to the tasks and structure of a position, or to make changes to the workplace environment to enable an individual with disabilities to commence employment or to return to employment having acquired a disability to ensure that they can enjoy benefits and privileges accorded to other employees.
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has been proactive in making reasonable accommodations to the specific needs of individuals through a number of means including but not limited to, purchasing of additional software, hardware and modifications to workstations, modifications to roles, duties and working hours, as well as ensuring policies, processes, initiatives and facilities provide and support an inclusive working environment. The NTMA assess the above needs when disclosed upon joining and throughout an individual’s employment.
The NTMA assigns staff to three further bodies under my Department’s aegis, these are Home Building Finance Ireland, the National Asset Management Agency and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
The Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (OCAG) takes all reasonable measures to promote and support the employment of persons with disabilities and to meet its obligations for reasonable accommodations under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. All OCAG employees are asked to complete a disability status form as part of their induction into the Office. A change of status form is also available on the Office intranet, should the disability status of any staff member change during their period of employment. A DLO is in place to support staff with a disability employed by the Office. Staff with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation will contact the DLO to discuss their individual requirements; the DLO will then arrange to put the accommodation in place. In addition to specific individual requests for reasonable accommodations, the Office has a range of items available to assist staff with a disability including sit-stand desks and two scanner pens, which read text aloud once scanned over an electronic document. Aids are also available for the hearing-impaired which can be linked to telephone extension numbers. Other items, such as larger monitors for the visually impaired or specialised chairs for back conditions are purchased by the Office on a case by case basis. The building occupied by the Office is also fully wheelchair accessible.
As an equal opportunities employer, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners is strongly committed to the development and implementation of measures to promote and support the employment of individuals with disabilities. They observe and promote the ‘Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disability in the Civil Service’ which applies to the employment of people with a disability across the Civil Service. During the recruitment process and via regular communications thereafter, staff are encouraged to indicate if they have any needs for reasonable accommodation related to a disability. Revenue has three DLOs who provide help, and information to support employees requiring workplace accommodations. All Revenue employees are kept regularly informed of supports available. Consultations with the DLOs are strictly confidential, and personal or medical information is not shared. Revenue is committed to providing workplace accommodations to staff with disabilities on an individual needs basis, including assistive technology, office equipment, interpretation services, mentoring, training, facilitating attendance at medical appointments, flexible working hours, work sharing arrangements and shorter working hours. These measures are put in place in consultation with the staff member. In some instances, in particular with non-visible disabilities, medical advice is sought from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer. The vast majority of Revenue buildings countrywide are adapted for use by those with physical disabilities, and access audits are available on request in any Revenue location. Revenue public offices are accessible and adapted for use by the public and in particular by those with a disability.
All Revenue employees are treated equally with training and promotion opportunities. Furthermore, Revenue offers paid internships for persons with disabilities such as those arranged by Specialisterne Ireland and the Association for Higher Education Access & Disability (AHEAD) Willing Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programmes. Specialisterne Ireland is a not-for-profit company and a registered Charity that promotes employment opportunities for people with autism and similar challenges. Specialisterne Ireland, through its employer partnerships, arranges for its candidates to be recruited through an autism friendly process. The WAM Programme serves to widen access to employment for those with disabilities and create attitudinal change and opportunities for further employment. I am advised by Revenue that in recognition of their significant contribution to the WAM programme, they received a ‘Leader’ award at the Building for the Future/Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Awards in 2022 and they continue to actively participate in this initiative. In order to build on Revenue’s mission to ensure an accessible, respectful, and fair environment for its staff, an anonymous staff survey on disability was conducted in February 2023. The survey was conducted in line with Revenue’s obligations under the National Disability Act 2005 and included questions on reasonable accommodation.
The Tax Appeals Commission currently has no staff that require reasonable accommodation but is aware of its obligations under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. However, if the Commission was notified by the Government’s Public Appointments Service that an additional staff member was joining the organisation with reasonable accommodation requirements, it would gather all the necessary information and contact the individual in advance of their commencement to ensure the most reasonable working conditions were acceptable by all parties involved.
275. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Finance if he will explain what is meant by "the four-year rule", as recently quoted by a tax appeal commissioner, when overturning a tax assessment by Revenue; if he will provide the relevant legislation that contains this provision; if he will detail whether any other similar assessment has been made by Revenue but which was not appealed; the number of such assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that in this context the “four-year rule” is the general four-year time limit on a Revenue officer’s right to make or amend assessments. This time limit runs from the end of the year of assessment (that is, the tax year or company accounting period) in which the tax return is filed. For example, if an individual filed an income tax return and self-assessment for the 2021 tax year in October 2022, a Revenue officer normally has until four years from the end of 2022 – that is, until 31 December 2026 – to amend that assessment. This legislation is contained in section 959AA Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA); up to 31 December 2012 the relevant provision was section 955 TCA (which was the legislation considered in the appeal case mentioned by the Deputy).
A Revenue officer also normally has four years from the end of the year in which a return is filed in which to make enquiries into that return. This is provided for in section 959Z TCA and was in section 956 TCA up to 31 December 2012.
A Revenue official has the right to make enquiries and make or amend assessments outside the normal four year period in certain circumstances: for example, where a taxpayer who should have filed a return has not done so; where the Revenue officer is not satisfied that a return is sufficient or that it contains a full and true disclosure; in cases where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that any form of fraud or neglect has been committed; and in the context of the application of certain anti-avoidance rules.
I am advised by Revenue that a limited number of assessments are made outside the four-year period, some of which have been appealed and have been upheld by the Tax Appeals Commissioners. The figure for the number of assessments raised outside the four-year period is not readily available but Revenue will provide an update as soon as possible.
Revenue is aware of the case mentioned by the Deputy and is considering the determination.
276. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance the anticipated revenue in 2023 from the vacant property tax if it were to be increased to 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% with a vacancy rate of 3.2% and 7.8%, in tabular form. [23258/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Vacant Homes Tax is a new measure announced in Budget 2023, which aims to increase the supply of homes for rent or purchase to meet demand. Legislative provision for the tax was made in the Finance Act 2022. The first chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2022. The first self-assessed returns are due on 7 November this year and the tax will be payable on 1 January 2024. Therefore, there is no data available on which to base the costing sought by the Deputy.
A residential property will be within the scope of the Vacant Homes Tax if it has been occupied as a dwelling for less than 30 days in a chargeable period. The Vacant Homes Tax will be charged at a rate equal to three times the property’s existing base Local Property Tax liability, and must be paid in addition to Local Property Tax. A small number of narrow exemptions are available to ensure that home-owners are not excessively penalised for normal temporary vacancy. As with Local Property Tax (LPT), the Vacant Homes Tax will apply only to habitable residential properties - it will not apply to derelict or uninhabitable properties.
The introduction of this tax follows from my Department's commitment under Housing for All to collect data on vacancy with a view to introducing a vacant property tax. The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2021 facilitated the collection on data on vacant property through Local Property Tax (LPT) returns.
A preliminary analysis of the vacancy data was published by Revenue in July 2022, following the LPT revaluation in November 2021, and can be found on their website: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/local-property-tax/lpt-stats-2022/index.aspx.
It should be noted that LPT returns provided information in relation to vacant properties as at the most recent LPT valuation date of 1 November 2021. Properties that were uninhabitable or unsuitable for use as a dwelling, as at 1 November 2021, are not liable for LPT and are not included in this analysis. The data on vacancy have not been verified by Revenue and they were collected for informational purposes only. The data provide an indicative profile of properties, rather than a definitive number of vacant properties.
In arriving at the estimates for the Budget documentation, certain assumptions were made based on the Revenue data and took into account the number of long-term vacant properties (those unoccupied for greater than 12 months), their valuation band, as well as their reasons for lying vacant which may correspond with an exemption from the tax. It was tentatively estimated that less than 15% of the total properties reported as vacant may be in scope of the tax.
This measure aims to increase the supply of homes for rent or purchase to meet demand, rather than raise revenue. It is a new measure which comes into operation this year. The estimated yield is low, as I anticipate this tax will influence behaviour and lead to property owners putting their vacant properties to more effective use. As such, the number of properties who will be subject to this tax and the eventual yield may be lower than the estimates provided.
277. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will provide an update on Ireland's transfer of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to the REPowerEU fund; if a timeline can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22774/23]
View answerThe European Union’s Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), provides support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.
The Government has made significant allocations across a range of sectors to counter the effects of Brexit, both before and during the 4-year BAR period. In order to be eligible for BAR funding, the expenditure must fall within the BAR eligibility period for expenditure 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. The Government has therefore, over a series of budgets, allocated BAR funding across a number of impacted sectors in order to mitigate those adverse effects of Brexit and to adapt to regulatory changes.
REPowerEU is the EU’s response to the global energy market disruption caused by Russia's war on Ukraine and provides the potential for further funding via the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Ireland expects to receive almost €90m in grants for REPowerEU projects, and the Government has recently requested a transfer of €150 million of Brexit Adjustment Reserve Funding to REPowerEU.
To avail of the REPowerEU funding, a new chapter will need to be added to Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). My Department is considering potential investment and reform proposals that could be funded under REPowerEU in consultation with a number of Government Departments. These proposals will be subject to negotiation and assessment by the Commission. Final funding decisions are a matter for Government.
Following agreement to transfer €150 million to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Ireland’s allocation from the reserve will be €1.015 billion. This transfer is to be made from Ireland’s overall BAR allocation. Ireland’s allocation now represents approximately 30% of the overall BAR fund, following transfers by other Member States to their National Recovery and Resilience Plans.
278. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the details of any contracts or services procured by his Department with frontline security, including any that are subcontracted to frontline security; and the value of such contracts since 2020 to date. [22374/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department had no contracts (direct or subcontracted) in place with the named supplier during the period specified. This is also the case for the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in my Department. The Deputy may wish to note that the OGP has also advised me that the named supplier is not a member of any of its procurement frameworks for public bodies.
279. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the date on which it is expected to complete the Block J Refurbishment at Garda HQ; the contractor engaged for the delivery of the project; the total budget associated with the project; if the project includes fit-out and related items; if he will clarify whether a new telecommunications mast will be fixed to Block J post-refurbishment; and if licences to attach to the mast have been issued to third parties. [22462/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that work is currently ongoing on works to Block J in Garda HQ. The Project is expected to be completed in Q3 2023. Clancy Construction are the main contractor employed on site. The Total Project Budget is confidential as the project is on site currently.
There will be no telecommunications mast fixed to Block J post refurbishment.
280. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the costs incurred to date in respect of Clyde House, Blanchardstown, in the context of leasing the property; the date on which it is now expected that full occupancy will take place; and the total duration of the lease. [22463/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that Clyde House will accommodate two Garda Bureaus that were based in Harcourt Square. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has entered into a lease of the building which will commence when the fit-out is completed by the landlord. The Landlord fit-out commenced in September 2022 and Substantial Completion is planned in Q2 2023. The two units will be relocated to Clyde House in Q2/Q3 2023. As the Deputy would be aware, it is not possible at this stage to discuss the costings as they are commercially sensitive. The lease on Clyde House is expected to be held for 10 years by the OPW.
281. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the current status of the upgrade of facilities for an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22470/23]
View answerThe Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of the Department of Transport Coast Guard Service, is investigating all potential site options and, in particular, any State owned or similarly vested lands in the area that may meet requirements.
Officials from my office are engaging with Wexford County Council and other landowners and, once a suitable site is identified, the necessary appraisals and assessments completed, negotiations will progress without delay on the acquisition of a new site for the Coast Guard Service facility.
282. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if the OPW has plans to construct public toilets and additional information signage in the vicinity of the car park at Grianán of Aileach, County Donegal, as well as interpretative signage at the fort. [22514/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has no immediate plans to install public toilet facilities and information signage in the vicinity of the car-park at the Grianán of Aileach as the area is not in the remit of the OPW. The Local Authority owns and maintains the car-parking facility in this location.
However, I have asked my officials to review the current interpretative signage at the site itself and for this signage to be upgraded as appropriate.
283. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will publish the short-listing procedure and scoring matrix used by the Public Appointments Service regarding the appointment of city and county chief executives, including the upcoming Dublin City Council chief executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/23]
View answerI am advised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) that where the number of applications received for the position of Chief Executive of a city or county exceeds that required to fill the position, PAS may decide that it would not be practical to interview everyone and call a smaller number to the next stage of the competition.
The Public Appointments Service provide for the employment of a shortlisting process to select a group who, based on an examination of the application forms, appear to be the most suitable for the position. This is not to suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.
During shortlisting, an expert board examine the application forms against agreed shortlisting criteria which are based on the requirements of the position. The standard of content of each application submitted may also be assessed during this process. The shortlisting criteria may include both essential and desirable criteria specified for the position and, applicants are informed that it is in their own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of their qualifications / experience in their application for this purpose.
Candidates are shortlisted using an established system of qualitative evaluation of application forms and there are no specific marks awarded to candidates at shortlisting. The Shortlisting Board employ their professional experience and judgement in determining which of the applicants are most likely to attain a competitive standard at interview.
284. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his plans for regular updates of the job description and appointment assessment procedure for the role of the chief executive of a local authority to ensure the appointees have the relevant skills to lead on the challenges councils face regarding housing, climate, energy and land use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22516/23]
View answerI am advised by the Public Appointments Service that, in consultation with the Cathaoirleach of the relevant city/county council and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (through his/her Department), PAS assesses and considers the challenges facing the city/county council and the skills required for the position of Chief Executive of the city/council and all relevant information is published in the Candidate Information Booklet which accompanies the advertisement for the position.
The assessment process employed by the Public Appointments Service for the position of city/county chief executives is a rigorous process which entails, shortlisting, preliminary interviews, final interviews and an in-depth assessment centre where candidates going forward to final interview are asked to complete a range of online psychometric tests and participate in a one-to-one face to face interview with an external company who are global leaders in this kind of assessment process.
285. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide in tabular form a list of all major public projects with an estimated cost of over €200 million at any stage of development; a list of all major projects with an estimated cost between €100 million and €200 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22545/23]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments. Management and delivery of individual investment projects within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP) is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister.
The Government is committed to detailing progress on the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency of the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This is achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and MyProjectIreland interactive map viewer which list projects and programmes on a regional and county level. These datasets list the stage of the project lifecycle from strategic assessment to completion, thereby allowing the users to see what projects are planned, in construction or completed for each county and region.
The capital tracker and interactive map are key tools in overseeing the progress of Project Ireland 2040. The latest editions of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and interactive map, were published on the gov.ie website in February 2023. The tracker includes comprehensive details on almost 320 large scale projects and 140 individual programmes, while the interactive map database includes an overview of 1,240 individual projects.
The table below is an extract from the capital tracker February 2023 edition and is drawn from data provided by relevant Government Departments and agencies. The data in the table contains details of both projects and programmes with a value in excess of €100 million, it also lists the name of the Department or body responsible for delivering the project or programme. Estimated project costs are presented in the tracker in the form of specified cost ranges including the category €100m-€250m - the exact category of €100m-€200m sought by the Deputy is not available. For completeness, I have also included projects where costs are not currently available or subject to appraisal, however, it should be noted that some of these projects may not fall within the cost range requested by the Deputy. It also must be clarified that a number of the bigger programmes listed below (some of those from €500m-€1 billion and €1 billion+) will consist of projects falling into the €100m-€200m category. Programmes such as Bus Connects, Dart+, the Urban Regeneration and Regeneration Fund and National Road and Rail Programmes consist of individual projects that potentially will fall into these ranges at pre-tender and final business case stages.
Extract from February 2023 edition of Capital Investment Tracker
