Written Answers Nos. 258-272
258. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he intends to backdate the pension payments of those who were retired during the banking collapse of 2007 and 2008 and who had their pension cut due to austerity measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61678/22]
View answerThe Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) was introduced on 1 January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2010 and extended via the FEMPI Act 2013. It was the only measure that decreased the actual pay-out value of public service pensions in payment as part of the Government’s programme of emergency measures introduced to address the serious position of public finances.
PSPR was applied in a progressive manner, operating by way of percentage reduction to pensions above specified exemption thresholds, with larger reductions imposed on relatively higher value pensions.
PSPR was significantly reduced in each of the years 2016 – 2020, by way of changes to the exemption thresholds and percentage reductions applicable. From 1 January 2020, an estimated 97% plus of public service pensions were free from PSPR and it was removed from those pensions still impacted by it from 1 July 2021.
While in place, PSPR applied to public service pensions in payment only, as defined under the FEMPI Act 2010. It did not extend to pension benefits of staff employed in the commercial state bodies listed in the Schedule of that Act.
Further to recent correspondence, I understand the Deputy is referring specifically to the pension benefits of a former RTE employee who would therefore not have been impacted by PSPR. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Ms Catherine Martin TD, has policy responsibility for RTE pensions and would be better placed to address the Deputy’s question.
259. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of modular housing units for housing Ukrainian refugees and or asylum seekers that were commenced under the contract signed with a company (details supplied) in each of the months from September to date in December 2022, in tabular form. [61710/22]
View answer260. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated number of modular housing units for housing Ukrainian refugees and or asylum seekers that will be commenced this year. [61711/22]
View answer261. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which the contract with a company (details supplied) was signed for the construction of modular homes. [61712/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 260 and 261 together.
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s armed forces in February this year, Ireland has welcomed almost 62,000 Ukrainian people who have fled the war in their country. The EU’s Temporary Protection Directive provides the legal framework for assisting Ukrainians entering the EU who are officially called Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). The Government’s overall humanitarian response is coordinated with our EU partners and other countries. Because of the sudden and unprecedented numbers of new arrivals in the State, over such a short period of time, the Government, of necessity, has had to use a range of accommodation sources to facilitate displaced Ukrainians. These include hotels, guesthouses, former religious buildings, sports halls, youth hostels, scout dens, arenas, holiday villages and tented camps as well as space in privately owned homes pledged through the Irish Red Cross.
On 11th April, the Government agreed that the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) would lead on addressing the medium and long-term need to develop capacity for Ukrainian arrivals including the possible provision of modular accommodation. A Task-force was set up, led by the DHLGH, to oversee a 3-streamed approach to modular, refurbishments and new builds.
Arising from a Memorandum from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, considered on 26th April, the Government decided on a range of measures to boost the supply of accommodation for refugees arriving from Ukraine. These measures included a rapid build, volumetric, modular units option - the evaluation of which was to be led by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
On 28th June, 2022, the Government authorised the roll-out of a modular homes programme to provide accommodation for 2,000 Ukrainians, predominantly women and children, in 500 family units at several sites across Ireland. Since then, my Office has been working collaboratively with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as the Lead Department, and a range of other bodies such as the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, local authorities, Irish Water, ESB networks and Open Eir to deliver the modular housing programme.
Following a procurement process, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd was appointed as the main contractor to manage the site enabling works and to arrange for the procurement, transportation and installation of the modular units for this project. The procurement process was undertaken in July and August of this year and approval to award the contract given on 25 August 2022. The contract was formally sealed by both parties on 26 October 2022.
Enabling works have started on a number of sites that have been prioritised for early development with a view to completing the overall programme for the installation and occupation of the 500 units on a phased basis up to end February 2023. The production of the 500 units required for the programme commenced in October and the units will be delivered on a phased basis starting early next year for installation according as site enabling works are completed.
Site evaluation works continue to be undertaken by my Office in collaboration with Sisk to finalise State owned sites around the country, identified by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, that will be necessary for the programme. My Office is also supporting the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth with their comprehensive programme of engagement with local representatives in areas where sites are being progressed for the installation of modular units.
262. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the action that he has taken to enhance and expand public investment since 27 June 2020. [61717/22]
View answerWhen this Government took office in June 2020, we immediately signalled our intention to bring forward the review of the National Development Plan which was originally planned for 2022. Following a thorough process of engagement, analysis and reflection, the revised National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP) incorporating a public investment package of €165 billion was published in October 2021.
The NDP provides a detailed and positive vision for Ireland over the next 10 years. It has a particular focus on the all-of-Government priorities of housing and climate action ambitions, as well as on supporting other national strategic objectives as set out in Project Ireland 2040.
The NDP is the largest in the history of the State. Our annual capital investment budget is now among the largest among EU countries. From this total level of investment set out in the NDP, over €12 billion will be available next year for public capital investment 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, and, most importantly, delivering the infrastructure to support our future climate, social and economic requirements.
The NDP also sets out a range of actions that are being taken to strengthen delivery, maximise value for money and ensure to the greatest extent possible that projects are delivered on time, on budget and with the benefits targeted at the outset.
The Project Ireland 2040 Delivery Board oversees the delivery of the NDP and earlier this year I appointed five external members to the Board to bring additional expert knowledge, independent and regional perspectives, and an enhanced challenge function to the deliberations of the Board.
In addition, two elements were introduced to strengthen the assurance process for major public investment projects to provide more structured scrutiny. The External Assurance Process (EAP), to provide independent scrutiny for major public capital projects over €100m at two key stages in the project lifecycle under the Public Spending Code and the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG) who scrutinise project proposals and external reviews as a prerequisite to seeking Government approval for major projects at the relevant decision gates.
The Government is committed to 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.
263. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will raise the issue of access to the swimming pool in the Garda College with the Garda Commissioner given the lack of engagement from the Garda College in Templemore with the local community on same. [61725/22]
View answerThe decisions relating to accessing the facilities at the Garda College are a matter for the Garda authorities at the College to determine. Thereafter, if it is decided to grant a licence to a particular applicant, the College forwards the recommendation to the OPW to grant a licence.
My officials have already made contact with the relevant officials in An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacancies there are currently at clerical officer and executive officer grade; and the number of appointments at each of these grades scheduled in 2023. [61882/22]
View answerDelegated sanction is the policy in place across the majority of the public service for the management of public service staffing levels since 2015. It was introduced by the Government to provide Offices and Departments with flexibility to recruit staff at grades up to Principal Officer level in order to meet identified business needs subject to remaining within overall pay ceilings agreed as part of the budget process.
Under delegated sanction, Departments have the scope to manage their workforce, subject to compliance with legislation, circulars and other policies. As a consequence, information about the current number of Clerical Officers (COs) and Executive Officers (EOs) vacancies, or indeed internal competitions run at the CO and EO grades and subsequent internal assignments, is not available to my Department and would be a matter for individual Departments to reply on.
According to the most recent data available to my Department, based on the Civil Service HR database updated by Departments, there were:
- 11,765 individuals serving in the CO grade, with a further 998 individuals at CO equivalent grades, at the end of October 2022 in full-time equivalent (FTE) terms. A total of 12,763 individuals were at CO or equivalent grade at end-October in FTE terms.
- 8,749 individuals serving in the EO grade, with a further 1,014 individuals at EO equivalent grades, at the end of October 2022 in full-time equivalent (FTE) terms. A total of 9,763 individuals were at EO or equivalent grade at end-October in FTE terms.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) have provided the following information in relation to the competitions run by them for the CO and EO grades:
- For the CO grade, there are currently just over 800 requests by Departments. Approximately 200 candidates are expected to be assigned in January. There are 260 interviews scheduled in December, 350 interviews in January and 350 interviews in February. In addition, 1,448 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) were assigned during 2022 with 276 requests pending, the majority of which will be filled in January 2023.
- For the EO grade, there are 380 requests by the Departments. These requests are expected to be filled by early February. There are 90 interviews scheduled in December and 312 interviews scheduled in January and February combined.
There is ongoing engagement between officials from my own Department and PAS and I understand that PAS plan to launch new campaigns as needed in 2023.
265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated amount of money that the OPW will spend on the refurbishment and fit out costs to the new Garda premises at 13 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. [61883/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works can confirm that, following a request from Garda Estate Management for a presence on O’Connell St., OPW Property Management agreed in December 2021 for the occupation of a number of offices at 13A Upper O’Connell Street by An Garda Síochána, refurbishment and fit out works are currently being carried out at the premises.
These works include a public reception and interview rooms for members of the public or victims of crime, and includes a separate office for use by the Irish Tourism Assistance Service (ITAS). The back office, at ground and basement floors, will provide accommodation for 8/9 workstations, as well as ancillary facilities including meeting room, tea station, sanitary and welfare facilities, and storage.
The contract for works has been awarded to PJ Hegarty –Works commenced on site 10th October 2022 and are expected to complete Q1 2023 and the total estimated cost of the project is €1.1m. These works are jointly funded by the OPW and An Garda Síochána.
266. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total cost of the development of the National Children’s Science Centre at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 (details supplied). [61890/22]
View answer267. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether it is appropriate that the OPW will spend State resources to develop a new science centre at Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 which will then be handed over to the National Children’s Science Centre (details supplied). [61891/22]
View answer268. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW is engaging with commercial entities that may have an interest in the National Children’s Science Centre project (details supplied). [61892/22]
View answer269. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the credentials that the OPW believe that the National Children’s Science Centre has to run a science museum (details supplied). [61893/22]
View answer270. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projections of the OPW to demonstrate that the National Children’s Science Centre will be financially viable (details supplied). [61894/22]
View answer271. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that the OPW was in arbitration with the National Children’s Science Centre (details supplied). [61896/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 270 and 271 together.
I wish to inform the Deputy of the following with regard to his questions relating to the proposed National Children's Science Centre (NCSC) at Earlsfort Terrace.
Updated costings for the construction of the National Children's Science Centre are not currently available and updated costings are awaited.
In line with the binding arbitration ruling the OPW will construct the museum but the fit out, installation of exhibits and operating cost of the museum are a matter for the National Children’s Science Centre and not the State.
The role of the OPW following binding arbitration is to honour its legal commitment following the arbitration judgement and construct a new Children’s Science Museum at the Earlsfort Terrace site.
The NCSC will be operated by a private company and not by the State.
A previous arbitration took place in 2013 and was settled by OPW and NCSC before final binding arbitration and the current arbitration took place in 2021 with a judgement issued in July 2022 on foot of the previous arbitration.
272. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Government Procurement plans to publish its approach and timeline in relation to the type of cloud services that are suited for central procurement arrangements; the nature of any such solutions; the timing of any such procurement competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62146/22]
View answerOGP has completed significant engagement with domestic and European stakeholders to identify possible cloud services procurement solutions, their scale and scope, along with the associated challenges. OGP has also conducted a detailed analysis of demand for cloud services across the public service. Having reviewed and assessed all potential opportunities, OGP is planning to put in place a central arrangement for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) by Quarter 4 of 2023.
The first significant milestone in the delivery of the IaaS central arrangement is to conduct a market consultation with suppliers of IaaS in relation to contractual terms and conditions that will apply to any new arrangement. Cloud Services Providers have had early communication of the planned IaaS Framework and the market consultation. The Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy, will formally launch the market consultation on 12th December 2022. The consultation process will close on 10th February 2023.
