Written Answers Nos. 234-252
235. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the additional excise duty applied to goods coming into Ireland from other EU countries but shipped through the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31281/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that no additional excise duty applies to goods being shipped through the United Kingdom to the State from another Member State.
Revenue advise that where goods, which are subject to excise, such as alcohol or tobacco, are shipped through the UK for commercial purposes a Customs procedure called Transit is used which allows these goods to be moved across international borders under Customs control without the payment of any duties or taxes. Upon arrival in Ireland excise duty is payable unless the goods are travelling under the common EU movement procedures for excise goods that are destined for duty suspension in a bonded tax warehouse in the State. National rates of excise duty apply to goods being brought into Ireland for consumption here. Each Member State sets its own rates of excise and, when excise goods are moved between Member States, excise is payable in the country where the product will be consumed and at the rate applicable in that country.
Where excise goods are shipped to the State for personal purposes from another Member State, directly or via the United Kingdom, the person transporting these goods must be able to show that the goods were acquired by that person in an EU Member State and are intended for their own personal use. In such cases no excise duty is payable.
236. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider requesting the retail banks and credit unions to exempt people with disabilities from bank charges as it is an added cost to those who are most vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31293/23]
View answerAs Minister for Finance, I do not have a direct function in the operations of any bank. Although the State is a shareholder in some of the banks operating in the State, they must be run on a commercial and independent basis, and their independence in this regard is protected by the relationship agreement.
Provision 4.54 of the Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code (the Code) requires that prior to providing a service to a consumer, regulated entities must provide the consumer with a breakdown of all charges which will be passed on to the customer. In addition, provision 4.56 of the Code requires regulated entities to display a schedule of fees on their website and in their public offices. Furthermore, the European Union (Payment Services) Regulations 2018 also requires payment service providers to make information available to consumers regarding charges payable by them.
Where a regulated entity intends to introduce new charges or increase any existing charges, under provision 6.18 of the Consumer Protection Code, it must give notice to affected consumers of the introduction of any new charges or of increases in charges, specifying the old and new charge, at least 30 days prior to the charge taking effect.
The charging of fees is a commercial decision for regulated entities, but this is subject to the regulatory framework which is the responsibility of the Central Bank of Ireland. Under Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act, 1995, credit institutions must notify the Central Bank if they wish to introduce any new customer charges or increase any existing customer charges, in respect of the provision of any of the following services:
• making and receiving payments;
• providing foreign exchange facilities;
• providing and granting credit; or
• maintaining and administrating transaction accounts.
Each notification received by the Central Bank is assessed in accordance with the specific criteria set out in Section 149 of the Consumer Credit Act 1995. The Central Bank may either approve (in full or at lower levels than requested) or reject a credit institution’s application under Section 149.
In fulfilling its statutory role under Section 149, the Central Bank assesses these notifications in accordance with the following specific assessment criteria as set out in the legislation:
• the promotion of fair competition;
• the commercial justification;
• the effect new charges or increases in existing charges will have on customers; and
• passing on costs to customers.
Approvals are issued in the form of a letter of direction and the entity is legally bound to comply with this letter of direction. The letter of direction sets out the maximum amount the credit institution is allowed to charge.
Credit institutions are free to impose any pricing differentials for the service up to the permitted maximum and are free to waive fees at their discretion for commercial or competitive reasons.
The letter of direction also sets out that credit institutions must publish the charges to be imposed on notices, leaflets, and promotional material etc. which should be made available to customers and on the credit institutions website if appropriate (the withdrawal of the fees will also be notified to the relevant customers prior to withdrawal).
In respect of credit unions charging members for the provision of services, this is a commercial matter for credit union boards and management.
The Central Bank and I expect credit unions to communicate with their members in a clear and transparent manner on all such matters. As member owned organisations, credit unions should remain cognisant of treating all their members fairly and act in the best interests of members as consumers.
It is the responsibility of individual credit unions to ensure that they comply with all legal and regulatory requirements on an ongoing basis, including any requirements that apply in relation to charging members for the provision of services.
Finally, in relation to current account fees, the Deputy may wish to note that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission operates a comparison tool for current accounts (including information on fees) on its website. This can be used by consumers to find the account which best meets their needs.
237. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will defer the introduction of the concrete levy due to be introduced on 1 September 2023, given the current construction inflation and the additional burden the levy will place on the cost of construction including housing and public works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31294/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, arising from a November 2021 Government decision that a levy be imposed on the construction sector to contribute towards the cost of the Mica Redress Scheme, the Defective Concrete Products Levy was announced in the Budget 2023 speech.
As part of the work undertaken on the impact that the levy could have on the construction sector the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage commissioned a bottom up scientific analysis, which was carried out by an independent Construction Economics Cost Consultant, to help identify the likely impact of the levy on construction costs.
This report was carried out in September 2022 and took account of the prevailing relevant costs in the construction sector as they applied at the time they were prepared. The costs set out in the report are for the third quarter of 2022 and account for inflation up to that point in time. This report was undertaken on the impact of the levy, as was announced in the Budget 2023 speech, and so he cost assessment is based on a 10% levy on concrete products for typical dwellings. As the rate of the levy as published in the Finance Bill 2022 was subsequently reduced to 5% following consideration of feedback received from industry participants and others, the costings in the analysis should be reduced by approximately 50% to determine the impact of the new design of the Defective Concrete Products Levy on costs.
Therefore, while it should be noted that costs are subject to range of variables, and based on the situation in late 2022, the levy is expected to result in an increase in hard costs of between €400 to €800 for a typical 3 bed semi-detached house and between €375 to €550 per apartment in a typical 6 floor apartment block with basement carpark. When soft costs including cost of finance, fees, risk and contingency are included the impact of the levy for typical dwelling was estimated to be €700 to €1,100 and for a typical apartment €650 to €1050.
The percentage increase in construction and development costs of the levy was therefore estimated to be approximately 0.2% to 0.45% for a typical semi-detached dwelling and 0.15% to 0.2% for a typical apartment for both hard and soft costs.
As the Deputy notes in his question, the levy is not due to be applied until 1 September 2023. This delay was provided for in order to allow all parties impacted by it time to prepare for its introduction. I have no plans to further defer its introduction, but can confirm that its impact will be monitored once it is in place.
238. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on bike and quad racing insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31333/23]
View answerGovernment is aware that a small number of activity-related sectors are currently facing difficulty in terms of affordability and availability of insurance. As the Deputy will be aware, neither Government nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, nor do we have the power to direct insurance companies to provide cover to specific businesses, individuals, or groups, or to deliver it at a certain rate. This position is reinforced by the EU Solvency II Directive insurance framework. As such, the Government faces constraints in seeking to address this matter.
Nonetheless, we have therefore prioritised the implementation of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which aims to improve the cost and availability of insurance for all groups, including sporting organisations such as those involved in motorcycle racing. Considerable progress has been achieved, with the vast bulk of the 66 actions contained therein now delivered or ongoing.
Both Minister of State Carroll MacNeill and I have raised this issue directly with the insurance industry, including with Insurance Ireland. Furthermore, officials from my Department have been in contact with a wide range of stakeholders in the motorcycle racing sector to gain an insight into the scale and scope of the issue. I understand that while events such as motorcycle test and track days continue to operate, motorcycle racing is facing difficulties with regard to insurance availability. Feedback received has indicated that insurers may have concerns regarding risk mitigation at road racing events, which when combined with historic and recent occurrences at such races, could potentially impact on their underwriting decisions in the area.
It is a feature of the Irish insurance market that some smaller sectors, including motorcycle racing, have traditionally been dependent on specialist UK providers passporting into Ireland. As a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, this practice has now ended and it has become more expensive and difficult for niche underwriters from the UK to provide their products here. This has been exacerbated by the small size of some of these sectors, meaning that just one or two large or catastrophic claims can negatively impact insurance capacity for an extended period of time.
Notwithstanding this, work by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in conjunction with Sports Ireland is ongoing to investigate insurance in the sporting sector as a whole. Accordingly, National Governing Bodies have been invited to contribute to this exercise. Officials from the Department of Finance remain in contact with their counterparts and all queries regarding this study should be directed to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
In conclusion, I wish to reassure you that it is my intention to continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that the implementation of the Action Plan will continue to have a positive impact on the affordability and availability of insurance for all groups, including sporting clubs and organisations.
239. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he intends to make any changes to the supplementary pension to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in relation to public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants.
Since 6 April 1995, not just within the HSE but across the public service, all newly-appointed public servants became fully insured under the Social Insurance System (pay Class A PRSI). A public servant paying Class A PRSI will receive both an occupational pension and, it is assumed, they will be also be entitled to the maximum rate of the SPC. This is known as ‘integration’, and is also sometimes referred to as 'coordination', it is not unique to the public service.
In respect of public servants, their pension payment comprises of three components:
1. Public Service Occupational Pension payable by the public service employer;
2. Social Insurance Benefit(s) (State Pension Contributory (SPC), Jobseeker’s Benefit etc.), payable, subject to eligibility, by the Department of Social Protection; and
3. Where the full rate of SPC is not payable, a supplementary pension equivalent to a non-integrated pension, which is payable, subject to eligibility, by the public service employer.
Where a public servant does not qualify for the SPC or qualifies for a Social Insurance benefit at less than the value of the SPC they may be entitled to an occupational supplementary pension, subject to eligibility criteria, including the retired public servant shall not be in paid employment and:
1. fails to qualify for Social Insurance Benefit or
2. qualifies for Social Insurance Benefit at a reduced rate and
3. has reached minimum pension age or is in receipt of an ill-health pension.
It is worth noting that if an individual, in receipt of an occupational supplementary pension, takes up employment, for example, for one day, the occupational supplementary pension would cease for that one day and be payable for the other 4 working days in the week (on a pro-rata basis), similar to how an entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit is treated.
Separately, a retired public servant returning to work in the public service may be subject to abatement where their public service pension when combined with the remuneration in the new position exceeds their pensionable remuneration (as uprated) in their previous public service employment. In this regard, social welfare benefits are not included in these calculations and the pension of an individual whose pension is paid solely by the employer (i.e. no entitlement to the SPC and/or an occupational supplementary pension) would be subjected to a higher level of abatement than that of their colleagues whose pension is comprised of an occupational pension and a social welfare pension. Abatement is applied periodically and pro-rata - only the pension is abated. The policy rationale behind abatement is to avoid a situation where individuals benefit from both a valuable public service pension and also a public service salary. In that context, pension abatement represents a suitable and measured response to legitimate public concerns and remains a key component of Public Service pension policy.
240. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to clarify the current position with the An Post pension fund which was set up in 1983, wherein there has been no increase in payment since the economic downturn in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30521/23]
View answerUnder the rules of An Post Main Superannuation Scheme, pension increases may be granted subject to the authorisation of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications with the agreement of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
There have been four increases to pensions under the An Post Main Superannuation Scheme since 2008. These are detailed in the table below and include the effective date of each increase.
The procedures for Ministerial Consent for a pension increase are outlined in the Amendments to the Annex on Remuneration and Superannuation of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which were introduced by this Department’s Circular 16/2021.
In accordance with the Code of Practice, An Post must first seek the approval of the Minster for the Environment, Climate and Communications. If the event that the Minister approves an increase his Department will seek the agreement of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
No request for my agreement to an increase to An Post pensions has been received from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications since my approval of the previous increase request, which was for 2% effective from the 1st January 2022. When a request for my agreement is received it will be given due consideration.
Increases to An Post Pensions Since 2008
|
Increase |
Effective from |
|
2.00% |
01/01/2022 |
|
2.50% |
07/02/2020 - This increase applied to 1,519 Postal Operatives pensioners |
|
1.70% |
01/05/2019 |
|
0.80% |
01/08/2017 |
241. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he is aware of the cost issue relating to the design and delivery of the flood relief scheme for the Gort lowlands as a result of a design issue with the recently constructed M17/M18 motorway; if he will intervene and instruct the Department of Transport and TII to rectify the issue to ensure the flood relief scheme can be delivered as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/23]
View answerThe Office of Public Works and Galway County Council are working together on the development of the Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme (FRS) with Galway County Council acting as the Contracting Authority for the project and funding provided by the OPW.
Ryan Hanley was appointed as Engineering Consultants for the scheme in December 2017, to develop and progress flood alleviation measures/proposals for the areas that are affected by flooding. Mott MacDonald was appointed as Environmental Consultants in March 2018 and are assisting in progressing the Gort Lowlands FRS from an environmental perspective.
The combinations of river water, groundwater, swallow holes and turloughs in the karst limestone of the Gort Lowlands catchment makes this area unique on an international level from an ecology perspective. Due to the intricate nature of the Gort Lowlands area, Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Geological Surveys Ireland (GSI) have also been contributing to the development of the Scheme.
The Scheme is currently in Stage I where scheme development and options appraisal takes place. Significant public and stakeholder consultation is a key part of this scheme. A number of public consultations took place in 2021 where Galway County Council and OPW presented the Emerging Preferred Scheme. One of the options being assessed is with respect to the culverts installed as part of the M18 motorway and their impact on flood risk in the area.
As the Deputy is aware I visited the area last week and I was fully briefed on this issue and I have been informed in this regard, that positive engagement and discussions are ongoing between Galway County Council and TII with respect to the impact of the culverts on the scheme.
242. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of State contracts that a company (details supplied) has been involved in; the projects it has been involved with; if the State has ever carried out independent audits of the company throughout the planning, construction and delivery phases of the projects; if so, if he will provide reports on the findings of any such public audits for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30758/23]
View answerWe are currently collating information requested and will respond Directly to the Deputy.
243. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform his views on a situation regarding public sector pay (details supplied); if he acknowledges the unfairness of same; and the measures he intends to take to resolve the issue. [30805/23]
View answerAs the deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in relation to public service occupational pension schemes, including Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC).
The deputy has raised a concern in relation to the difference in ASC rates payable by an individual who is a member of a pre-existing public service pension scheme (pre-2013 scheme) versus an individual who is a member of the Single Scheme. For information members of a pre-existing scheme pay ASC at the rate of 10% on pensionable remuneration between €34,500 and €60,000 and 10.5% on pensionable remuneration above €60,000, while members of the Single Scheme pay 3.33% on pensionable remuneration between €34,500 and €60,000 and 3.5% on pensionable remuneration above €60,000 (this is shown in tabular form below).
Background to Public Service Pension Schemes
The Single Scheme was introduced by way of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (the “2012 Act”) [1]. Prior to the introduction of the Single Scheme, individual sectors and/or public service bodies had their own superannuation schemes, these are referred to herein as Pre-2013 schemes and are sometimes also referred to as non-Single Scheme terms or pre-existing public service pension scheme terms. In general, all Pre-2013 schemes have standard public service pension scheme terms. The most notable differences between the Single Scheme and pre-existing public service pension scheme benefits are as follows:
1. Single Scheme members have a minimum pension age of 66 (rising in line with State Pension Age), whereas Pre-2013 Scheme members generally have a minimum pension age of 60 (if appointed before 1 April 2004) and age 65 (if appointed on or after 1 April 2004 and before 1 January 2013).
2. The pension benefits in the Single Scheme are based on career average pensionable remuneration (uprated each year by reference to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)), while the Pre-2013 scheme pension benefits are based on one’s final pensionable remuneration.
3. Post retirement pension increases are linked to CPI in the Single Scheme, whereas in Pre-2013 schemes post retirement pension increases are linked to pay as agreed under the current Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (“PSSA”) [2], as extended.
All pensionable public servants appointed on or after 1 January 2013 are members of the Single Scheme. However, it should be noted that the 2012 Act makes provision for an individual appointed on or after 1 January 2013 who has been a member of a Pre-2013 scheme in the 26 weeks prior to that appointment to be a member of the appropriate Pre-2013 scheme of their new organisation.
PRD & ASC
As provided for in the PSSA, the majority of public servants pay an Additional Superannuation Contribution (ASC). ASC replaced the Pension Related Deduction (PRD) which had been introduced in March 2009 [3] as part of a suite of Financial Emergency Measures. Whereas PRD was a temporary deduction from the salary of serving public service employees who had a public service pension entitlement regardless of whether the individual was pensionable in their current employment, ASC became a permanent contribution. PRD was chargeable on all taxable remuneration while ASC is chargeable on pensionable remuneration only.
ASC provides a permanent source of revenue to the Exchequer which helps to defray the cost of providing pensions to public servants into the future and places public service pensions on a more sustainable footing in light of the significant accrued liabilities that exist.
A key difference between PRD and ASC is that different ASC rates and thresholds apply depending on whether a public servant is a member of a standard accrual pension scheme (Pre-2013 scheme), a fast accrual pension scheme (Pre-2013 scheme) or the Single Public Service Pension Scheme (Single Scheme). ASC is provided for under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 [4].
Pensionable public servants are liable for ASC at the following rates
|
Member of a standard accrual PS pension scheme |
Member of a fast accrual PS pension scheme |
Member of the Single Scheme |
|
€0 - €34,500 @ 0% |
€0 - €28,750 @ 0% |
€0 - €34,500 @ 0% |
|
> €34,500 - €60,000 @ 10% |
> €28,750 - €60,000 @ 10% |
> €34,500 - €60,000 @ 3.3% |
|
> €60,000 @ 10.5% |
> €60,000 @ 10.5% |
> €60,000 @ 3.5% |
The different ASC rates applicable to those in the pre-2013 schemes and the Single Scheme reflect the findings of the Public Service Pay Commission (“PSPC”) in 2017 [5]. In accordance with this Department submission to the PSPC, the value of retirement benefits under the Pre-2013 pension schemes is significantly higher than that of the Single Scheme. My Department estimated that the average notional employer contribution in respect of pre-2013 members of the public service is 29% p.a. while the corresponding rate is 9% p.a. in respect of Single Scheme members.
Following the implementation of existing ASC rates, it is estimated that the notional employer contribution rates fell to c. 26% and 8% in relation to the pre-2013 schemes and Single Scheme, respectively. See rates set out in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Comparison of cost of pension less normal employee’ contributions pre and post implementation of ASC
|
Employer Cost – pre ASC |
Employer Cost – post ASC |
|
|
Pre-2013 pension schemes |
29% |
26% |
|
Single Scheme |
9% |
8% |
|
Differential |
20% |
18% |
As mentioned above, pension benefits are payable earlier to Pre-2013 scheme members. Again, the lower rates of ASC paid by Single Scheme is reflective of the fact that benefits are payable at a later age. Pre-2013 scheme members are able to retire at age 60/65, as applicable, while Single Scheme members are able to retire at age 66, in line with the State Pension age.
As also mentioned, it is worth noting that pension increases post-retirement for Pre-2013 scheme members are currently applied by way of pay parity, whereby increases are linked to the salaries of serving staff. Pension increases in respect of Single Scheme members are index-linked and are increased in line with the CPI.
[1] Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (#37 of 2012)
[2] Public Service Stability Agreement, 2018 – 2020
(www.gov.ie/en/publication/432f22-public-service-stability-agreement-2018-2020/)
[3]Financial Emergency in the Public Interest Act 2009 (as amended) – (No. 5 of 2009)
[4] Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 (No. 34 of 2017)
[5] DPER-pensions.pdf (paycommission.gov.ie)
244. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of appeals his officials dealt with in each of the past five years relating to individuals in receipt of occupational pensions which he and the respective Ministers approved from An Post, Eircom (No. 2 Fund), the Irish Aviation Authority and Coillte and who have a "not less favourable" guarantee on their pension entitlements under the various Acts which established these semi-State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30806/23]
View answerFormer civil servants who transferred to An Post, the Irish Aviation Authority, Telecom Éireann, or Coillte on the respective vesting days of these organisations retain the right to appeal to the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in the event of a pension-related dispute.
In respect of pension benefits, the legislation that established these bodies typically contain provisions that provide for superannuation terms and conditions that are not less favourable than those that applied to them immediately prior to vesting day.
Details of appeals dealt with my Department relating to the bodies listed above, where such “not less favourable” provisions formed the basis of the appeal, are given below.
|
2018 |
None |
|
2019 |
2 |
|
2020 |
4 |
|
2021 |
1 |
|
2022 |
3 |
|
2023* |
None |
*As of 21/06/23
245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cumulative value of the investments to be made in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Louth and Donegal, respectively under the timeframe of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the estimated funding drawdown to date in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30807/23]
View answerAs 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, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Expenditure is therefore allocated and monitored on a Departmental basis and not a geographic basis.
The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. The NDP includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and the overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments as central to the delivery of the National Planning Framework vision.
In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
The Government will continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country.
The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, including counties Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Louth and Donegal, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 in the three Region assembly areas have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, with an update for 2022 scheduled to be published in the coming weeks. The reports set out the regional projects and programmes, which are being planned and delivered in the Eastern and Midland Region, including in County Louth, and in the Northern and Western Region, including counties Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040. While the reports do not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure, they serve to highlight the diverse range of investments being made by the State under Project Ireland 2040 in the region.
The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if his Department will provide a secure area for a team (details supplied) to store its equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30940/23]
View answer247. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the review of the assessment emissions impact of public investment and the recommended reforms, as outlined in the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31063/23]
View answerThe Public Spending Code is the tool that the Government uses to appraise the costs and benefits of the capital investment decisions it faces. As part of my Department’s enhanced mandate around the delivery of the National Development Plan (NDP), I recently announced that the Public Spending Code will be replaced by a set of Infrastructure Guidelines.
The NDP Review 2021 committed my Department to reviewing certain elements of the Public Spending Code to ensure climate considerations are adequately incorporated within the code. This commitment was reiterated in the Climate Action Plan 2023.
As part of this programme of work, my officials have been working with the OECD, funded by the EU Commission through DG REFORM’s Technical Support Instrument, on two aspects of public capital expenditure appraisal requirements in Ireland:
1. The model for assessing the emissions impact of infrastructure investment; &
2. The appraisal of investments that may be vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
This project has been ongoing since late 2021. There has been extensive engagement with other Departments and stakeholders including an OECD fact-finding mission in April 2022 and a workshop and diffusion event in January 2023.
The OECD are currently finalising their report on Strengthening Environmental Considerations in Public Investment Management in Ireland. On completion of the report, DPENDR will evaluate the OECD’s recommendations before considering what changes may be appropriate for the Infrastructure Guidelines.
In addition to this work, my Department is also reaching the final stages of revising the shadow price of carbon in light of our enhanced climate ambition. This update will ensure emissions are appropriately priced in economic appraisals and that the values in the Infrastructure Guidelines align with Ireland's climate targets.
Over the longer term, as set out in the NDP Review, DPENDR will examine the role that the Infrastructure Guidelines can play in the achievement of broader environmental objectives and in support of the national commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse emissions by 2050. It will be progressed over a number of years as the other, more immediate, steps in the programme of reform committed to in the NDP are completed.
248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the estimated cumulative value of the investments to be made in counties Galway, Roscommon and Mayo, respectively under the timeframe of the National Development Plan 2021-2030; the estimated funding drawdown to date in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30917/23]
View answerAs 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, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan (NDP), rests with the individual sponsoring Department in each case. Expenditure is therefore allocated and monitored on a Departmental basis and not a geographic basis.
The Government has committed €165 billion funding for capital investment, as set out in the NDP published in October 2021. The NDP includes indicative Exchequer allocations for each Department for a five year period (2021 to 2025) and the overall capital expenditure ceilings out to 2030. This expenditure was considered and agreed in order to support those sectors that would be key in delivering the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs) identified in the National Planning Framework (NPF). The NDP contains expenditure commitments for a range of strategic investment priorities which have been determined by the relevant Departments as central to the delivery of the National Planning Framework vision.
In 2023, over €12 billion will be made available from the Exchequer for investment in public capital projects, which will provide more schools, homes, hospitals and other pieces of vital infrastructure. This level of expenditure will be pivotal in consolidating the progress already made, supporting balanced regional development and, most importantly, delivering the necessary infrastructure to support our future climate change obligations as well as our social and economic requirements.
The Government will continue to detail the delivery of the NDP at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the Project Ireland 2040 capital investment tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country.
The capital investment tracker provides a composite update on the progress of all major investments with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. Accompanying the tracker, the myProjectIreland interactive map details projects across the country and provides details on specific projects by county, including counties Galway, Roscommon and Mayo, and contains smaller investments such as schools and social housing projects. Search facilities also allow citizens to view projects in their regional area, by city, by county or by eircode.
In addition, Regional Reports on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040 in the three Regional assembly areas have been published for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, with an update for 2022 scheduled to be published in the coming weeks. The reports set out the regional projects and programmes, which are being planned and delivered in the Northern and Western Region, including in counties Galway, Roscommon and Mayo, as part of the public investment detailed in Project Ireland 2040. While the reports do not provide an exhaustive list of all public capital expenditure, they serve to highlight the diverse range of investments being made by the State under Project Ireland 2040 in the region.
The Project Ireland 2040 Regional Reports, capital investment tracker and myProjectIreland interactive map are all available on gov.ie/2040.
249. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he will report on the capacity of public sector bodies to deliver climate action identifying action areas, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31185/23]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2023 action commits to the development of a report on capacity within the public sector to deliver on climate action. This action is broken down into two separate steps. The first is to complete a review of capacity within the public sector to deliver climate action by the end of quarter 2 2023. The second is to consider any recommendations arising from the review with a view to presenting any relevant proposals to the Climate Action Delivery Board by the end of this year.
The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform are the lead for the first part of action, and have commissioned the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) to conduct this review. The project is overseen by a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, and the Department of the Taoiseach.
The IPA commenced an assessment of climate capacity across the civil service in November 2022. The key objective of this research is to help inform how the civil service can deliver on the significant challenges that the system faces in planning, implementing and updating climate action goals.
The project includes a review of relevant literature on the knowledge, skills and capabilities necessary to support climate action, along with an assessment of potential barriers to climate action implementation and building capacity within other jurisdictions. Interviews were also conducted with a wide range of stakeholders to understand the challenges and opportunities that exist for strengthening capacity, and these were supplemented with workshops and focus groups to review and validate findings.
This work is at an advanced stage, with publication of the final report anticipated in shortly.
250. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if an OPW staff residential property can be allocated (details supplied). [31197/23]
View answerAt present, there are no habitable residences unoccupied within the Phoenix Park.
The allocation of properties in the Phoenix Park is linked to the specific role that a member of staff performs within the Park. In general, this is due to the member of staff being required to be on call outside of normal hours.
In respect of this specific individual, they should engage directly with their line manager with any queries.
251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the amount per year invested in Castletown House since the OPW took ownership to date in 2023; and if he will provide a schedule of works, restorations, installations and projects carried out over that timeframe. [31222/23]
View answerCastletown House is an eighteenth-century neo-Palladian country house built within an extensive estate. Numbers using the estate have increased greatly since the OPW took over the estate and now stand at over one million visitors to the estate each year.
In 1994, the Office of Public Works took responsibility for Castletown House and estate. Initially, this was only 13 acres of land with the house. It has long been the policy of the OPW to seek to reunite the historic Castletown estate. In 1997, one hundred acres south of the house was acquired. The farmyard adjacent to the house was acquired in 2001. In 2006, lands associated with the Batty Lodge were acquired with former Coillte lands to the north and east of the House acquired in 2007. Since 2008, the OPW has reassembled 227 acres of the original 580 acres of land which formed the historic demesne.
Much of the original demesne lands acquired over the years were in poor condition. The OPW has worked to open up the lands and to restore many of the landscape features, particularly the historic network of pathways across the estate and the vista towards the Conolly Folly. Work is ongoing on the opening up to the public of the Crodaun Woods.
The restoration of the historic pathways began in 2007. There has also been a concerted effort to manage the Estate for biodiversity. The landscape by the Office of Public works are an exemplar site for the All Ireland Pollinator Plan with some grasslands of Annex 1 quality under the EU Habitats Directive. Extensive pollinator surveys have been conducted which have identified a large number of bumblebee, butterfly, hoverfly, and solitary bee species. Other studies have recorded a high diversity of tree, bird, and other invertebrate species. The landscape is of high value to grassland plants regionally due to the increasingly urban nature of the surrounding landscape.
In 2007, the Office of Public Works worked with the owner of the adjacent lands to develop an entrance and carpark from the M4 slipway. This removed traffic from the environs of the house.
While Castletown House was taken over by the State in 1994, it has only been managed by the Office of Public Works since 2006. Therefore, it is not possible to provide accurate figures in full of all State investment between 1994 and 2006.
The total expenditure by the Office of Public Works, including current and capital expenditure, between 1994 and 2006 was €4,170, 935.75. However, this does not cover expenditure from Dúchas or the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.
Please find attached the details of the costs of property acquisitions and the annual expenditure on Castletown House from 2006 to 2023 (year to date).
Expenditure on projects at Castletown
|
Year |
Project |
Amount |
|
2006 |
Fencing |
15,880.04 |
|
2008 |
Fencing |
27,321.47 |
|
2010 |
Lead work on roof |
62,986.32 |
|
2011 |
Paths upgrade |
64,226.32 |
|
2012 |
Paths upgrade |
276,640.30 |
|
2013 |
Paths upgrade |
59,590.01 |
Annual expenditure on Castletown to 2023
|
Year |
Current expenditure |
Capital expenditure |
Description for capital expenditure |
|
2006 |
950,701.97 |
550,850.67 |
House refurbishment |
|
2007 |
608,952.19 |
1,489,508.88 |
House Refurbishment Gate lodges |
|
2008 |
516,249,.82 |
974,800.89 |
House refurbishment Gate lodges |
|
2009 |
575,922.00 |
521,009.14 |
House refurbishment Gate lodges Batty Langley wall |
|
2010 |
759,311.43 |
241,130.11 |
Lands works Batty Langley |
|
2011 |
755,956.29 |
119,736.90 |
Fire sealing House, lands works |
|
2012 |
886,616.39 |
117,801.01 |
House refurbishment Fire sealing House, lands works |
|
2013 |
1,008,016.39 |
11,710.00 |
Farmyard |
|
2014 |
808,517.69 |
44,070.65 |
West Wing roof |
|
2015 |
1,451,959.67 |
81,693.68 |
Cowshed |
|
2016 |
1,400,582.81 |
169,740.66 |
Farmyard Pleasure garden House refurbishment |
|
2017 |
1,643,349.87 |
262,865.50 |
Farmyard |
|
2018 |
1,846,296.41 |
87,431.68 |
Farmyard |
|
2019 |
1,703,455.92 |
37,249.47 |
Lands works Batty Langley Farmyard |
|
2020 |
1,508,893.42 |
38,367.06 |
Batty Langley Farmyard |
|
2021 |
1,648,945.91 |
100,084.22 |
Batty Langley Farmyard |
|
2022 |
1,717,905.44 |
172,578.26 |
House refurbishment Batty Langley Farmyard |
|
2023 |
601,302.87 |
65,045.23 |
House refurbishment Batty Langley Site maintenance |
252. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 473 of 8 September 2022 and No. 50 of 12 October 2022, if he will consider the proposal (details supplied) in consultation with the director; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31275/23]
View answerThe National Botanic Gardens is primarily a scientific collection of living plants. These form a significant living collection of rarities, some of which are the only example of their kind in cultivation. Unlike a public park, the plant collection requires greater oversight, in line with international botanic garden standards, and must be adequately staffed during opening hours.
Within the living collections at the National Botanic Gardens, there are over 300 endangered species from around the world, and six species already extinct in the wild. These are a vital resource. The opening hours reflect best practise in protecting and managing such an important collection. The horticultural work programme is largely team-based with a specific work-pattern and work processes. This allows the maintenance of the collection.
Staff oversight is required to ensure that the botanical plant collection is not damaged. This is why there are restrictions on activities such as ball games and dogs are not permitted in the Gardens. As the working day begins at 8:00, opening to a later hour would give rise to the imposition of a twelve hour shift pattern on staff, which would result in significant changes in operations and work practices at the Gardens. In terms of the availability of open spaces in Glasnevin, there are several adjacent municipal parks that do not require the same level of oversight, with late opening hours. This ensures a good provision of public parks to the local community.
