Written Answers Nos. 122-142
Fiscal Data
122. Deputy Róisín Shortall   asked the Minister for Finance the fiscal space that would be available in each of the years 2018 to 2021 over and above the level in the summer economic statement if 2015 potential growth was assumed to be 4.8% or 6.6% rather than 4.3%. [41931/17]
Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): As part of its Spring Economic Forecast earlier this year, the European Commission set the reference rate and convergence margin for 2018.
The reference rates for 2019 – 2021 are based on my Department’s own estimates of potential growth. The reference rate is based on a ten-year average of potential growth rates. Therefore any change to a single year’s rate results in a one tenth change to the reference rate and to the permitted expenditure growth rate, assuming all other variables remain unchanged.
Thus, using the Deputy’s hypothetical potential growth rates for 2015: 4.8 per cent results in an additional 0.05 percentage points to permitted expenditure growth and 6.6 per cent gives an additional 0.23 percentage points.
To calculate gross fiscal space the corrected general government expenditure is multiplied by the permitted expenditure growth rate. For 2019 – 2021 corrected general government expenditure averages €73.3bn.
As a result if potential growth in 2015 was 4.8 per cent there would be circa €35 million additional fiscal space per year and potential growth of 6.6 per cent would result in circa €170 million per year.
Budget 2018
123. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the rate of inheritance tax in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41934/17]
Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is the overall title for both Gift and Inheritance Tax. The tax is charged on the amount gifted to, or inherited by, the beneficiary of the gift or inheritance.
CAT is charged at 33% to the beneficiary on amounts received by gift or inheritance, beyond certain lifetime tax-free amounts determined by the relationship between the beneficiary and the person making the gift or the inheritance. The rate is the same regardless of the nature of the gift or inheritance (i.e. cash or different types of property), although certain reliefs and exemptions can apply, notably for transfers of farms and businesses and of the residential property in which the beneficiary lives, subject to certain conditions.
There are three tax-free thresholds depending on the relationship between the disponer and the beneficiary with CAT applying over the thresholds.
Considerable change has already been made to three CAT thresholds A, B and C in recent budgets:
- Group A increased from €225,000 to €280,000 in Budget 2016, and to €310,000 in Budget 2017. It applies where the beneficiary is a child (including certain foster children) or minor child of a deceased child of the disponer. Parents also fall within this threshold where they take an absolute inheritance from a child.
- Group B threshold rose from €30,150 to €32,500 in Budget 2017. It applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, niece, nephew, or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer.
- Group C threshold rose from €15,075 to €16,250 in Budget 2017. It applies in all other cases.
As with all other areas of tax, the details of CAT, including the rate charged, are kept under review as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process. I am sure the Deputy will understand that I am not in a position to comment on such matters in advance of the Budget.
Office of Public Works Properties
124. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works rents car parking spaces to other organisations at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin 7; if so, the number of spaces rented; the date this first commenced; the annual income obtained from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41773/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): The Office of Public Works does not rent any car park spaces at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks but is aware that the National Museum of Ireland has entered into an arrangement with a third party.
Public Sector Staff Expenses
125. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the mileage rate that is payable for 100% electric vehicles; if this rate is consistent with climate action goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41777/17]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The motor mileage rates reimburse an officer only for the costs incurred in using their own cars for official business and are not deemed to be a source of emolument or profit. The rates are agreed with Staff Side Representatives and are determined by a methodology which takes account of the various costs associated with officers using their own cars on official business.
The factors taken into account in calculating the rates include items such as the cost of cars, motor insurance, maintenance, fuel, depreciation among others and also engine capacity (size). The rates are based on engine sizes in three bands: 0 – 1200 CC, 1201 – 1500 CC, and 1500 – 2000 CC. The agreed methodology for calculating the rates is based on a combination of figures issued by the Central Statistics Office and information from the motor industry.
All electric vehicles are a relatively new and developing technology. The comprehensive information available for petrol/diesel driven cars is not yet available for electric vehicles and, as a consequence, it has not yet possible to devise a mileage rate for electric cars in the same manner as for petrol/diesel vehicles. The current policy of my Department is that civil servants using all electric vehicles may claim reimbursement at the lowest mileage rate (0 – 1200 CC).
Future reviews of the rates will be based on changes to these figures according to the Consumer Price Index. The current system as agreed with Staff Side Representatives will remain in place for three years at which stage it will be further reviewed in light of the conditions then applying to business needs and motoring technology.
Gender Equality
126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on adopting gender budgeting for the departmental budget process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41819/17]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to develop the process of budget and policy proofing as a means of advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. This is also a commitment that has been included in The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020.
The drafting of a policy paper by my Department in relation to equality budgeting is at an advanced stage and it is proposed that the paper will be published with Budget 2018. This paper sets out the pilot approach that will be adopted for gender budgeting in the Budget 2018 budgetary cycle. In developing the pilot approach my Department has extensively reviewed international best practice in this area, and has had ongoing engagement with IHREC and the National Women’s Council, as well as drawing on best international practice in other OECD countries.
In preparation for the pilot programme of gender budgeting my Department has hosted a workshop focused on gender budgeting which was attended by officials from across the Civil Service. The workshop aimed to familiarise participants with the concept of gender budgeting and to provide them with tools to identify a gender perspective and to gender proof policies. Further work to embed the skills required for gender budgeting across the civil service will be ongoing during the course of the year.
Office of Public Works Projects
127. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the construction of a suitable building in Turoe, Bullaun, Loughrea, County Galway for the protection and display of the Turoe stone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41299/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): Work to conserve the Turoe Stone has been successfully completed and the artefact is in safe storage at the Office of Public Works premises at Portumna pending its return to the site at Loughrea where it will be housed in a specially designed environmental shelter.
The general siting and landscaping of the proposed structure has been designed and the OPW is engaged in the next stage which will be to design and specify the customised shelter. The specialist nature of the project has caused considerable difficulties however and to date, a design Consultant has not been appointed. OPW is continuing its efforts to resolve this issue with a view to making progress and commencing a project on site in 2018.
National Botanic Gardens
128. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be provided to the OPW to complete renovation works to the cactus house and the giant waterlily house in the National Botanic Gardens; if funding will be provided for more botanical science staff in the gardens in view of the fact that it has two members of staff, which is a low figure compared with other botanical gardens here and in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41348/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): Restoration of glasshouses at the National Botanic Gardens has been ongoing since 1995, during which time Richard Turner's Curvilinear Range (which won a Europa Nostra Award), the Great Palm House and the Teak House have each been meticulously and painstakingly restored by the Office of Public Works.
The Waterlily house forms the centrepiece of the remaining glasshouse range (which includes the Cactus House) yet to be restored. It was designed by Duncan Ferguson and built in 1854. Its closure to the public in 2010 was due to its perilous state. While a certain amount of planning has been done to inform a restoration of the Waterlily House and Cactus House, no funding source for this project has as yet been identified. Work is continuing in this regard.
The National Botanic Gardens has housed the National Herbarium since 1970. In 2006 the staffing level of the Herbarium was raised from four employees to six. Unfortunately the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the Civil Service has meant that of the 4 vacancies that arose during this period (through resignation, a death in service, promotion and career break) none could be refilled. It is hoped to advertise soon for a Taxonomist, a welcome step in increasing the scientific staffing and expertise at the National Botanic Gardens.
Office of Public Works Properties
129. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to reverse the decision to close off large areas of the local Oldbridge House grounds in Drogheda, County Meath, for the purpose of grazing sheep (details supplied); if the decision was a financial one; if so, the income it will provide; if this income can be found elsewhere in order to reverse the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41390/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): Land management at Oldbridge Estate (the site of the historic Battle of the Boyne) involves an ongoing cycle of tillage, silage/hay making, grazing and grass mowing. A priority is to facilitate public access and recreational use. Recent field boundary adjustments will accommodate all current sport and leisure activities.
Legislative Programme
130. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the items listed in the legislative programme for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41414/17]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The Deputy will be aware that the Public Sector Standards Bill 2015 is currently at Committee Stage.
With regard to the Government's legislative programme for the Autumn Session 2017, my Department has two Bills on the priority list for publication:
- Appropriation Bill 2017; and
- Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill 2017.
The latter Bill is the result of merging the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2017 and the Public Service Additional Superannuation Contribution Bill 2017, both of which were on the priority list for publication.
My Department also has two other pieces of planned legislation:
- Data Sharing and Governance Bill; and
- Public Service Management (Amendment) and Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill.
Heritage Centres Funding
131. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount of funding invested in a heritage centre (details supplied); the reason the centre was closed in 2016 although still marketed as being open; his plans to provide the funding required to re-open the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41569/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): The Heritage Service of the Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the conservation, maintenance and presentation of approximately 780 National Monuments and Historic Properties in the ownership or guardianship of the State.
Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre is a locally-run facility in Co. Leitrim and is not in State care. The Heritage Service of the OPW has therefore no responsibility for this facility and is not funded to operate it. Notwithstanding this, the OPW, as a special measure in 2016, provided financial support amounting to €5,320 to the Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre to assist with the provision of guided tours of the Seán Mac Diarmada Cottage, which is a National Monument in State care close to the village. It was also indicated that support funding would be available again in 2017 should the Centre wish to proceed on the same basis; however, the Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre did not operate this season and the offer of financial assistance was not taken up.
The OPW has recently indicated that, should the Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre re-open in the future, it will be willing to offer some support to allow Guided services to the Sean Mac Dhiarmada Cottage to be provided.
Budget 2018
132. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projected additional fiscal space for budget 2018 from savings on the live register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41580/17]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Unemployment has reduced from over 15% in early 2012 to 6.3% in August 2017. On the basis of the improving labour market, there have been reductions in expenditure on providing income supports for people who are unemployed.
In arriving at estimates of fiscal space, an assumption is made about the level of Live Register related savings each year. The Expenditure Report 2017 set out costs of €0.3 billion for 2018 in relation to demographics net of estimated savings of €0.15 billion in Live Register related expenditure arising from continued improvement in employment. This estimated saving has already been built into net fiscal space calculations and has been taken account of in the Department of Social Protection’s pre-Budget ceiling for 2018.
My Department constantly monitors the level of spending across all areas of Government, including Live Register related costs. Overall spending in the Department of Social Protection was €77 million under profile at end-August 2017. There is ongoing detailed analysis into the related costs of the Live Register, and this analysis will feed into the Budget Estimates process and the setting of expenditure allocations for 2018, with any savings in Live Register related expenditure, in excess of the amount of €0.15 billion factored into the pre-Budget position, being available for other expenditure priorities.
Budget 2018
133. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the projected savings he has identified for budget 2018 from hidden fiscal space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41581/17]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The Mid-Year Expenditure Report published last July stated that Gross Current Expenditure would reach an estimated €54.8 billion in 2018. I have consistently highlighted the requirement to focus on the totality of this expenditure in assessing how best to deliver quality public services rather than the planned annual increment reflected in estimates of fiscal space.
In this context in my speech accompanying the publication of the Estimates for 2017, I announced that a Spending Review of current expenditure would be carried out in advance of Budget 2018. The overarching objective of the Spending Review process is the development of an evidence base to inform the prioritisation of current expenditure to ensure that all Government expenditure is considered with regard to the principles of efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact.
The 2017 Spending Review is the first in a series of rolling, selective reviews, which will cover the totality of Government spending over a three year period to 2019. The results of the first year of this new approach were published earlier this year alongside the Mid-Year Expenditure Report 2017 (link: http://igees.gov.ie/publications/expenditure-reviewandevaluation/expenditure-reviews1/). The nature and objectives of the Spending Review are such that it was not envisaged that quantified savings would be explicitly identified as an outcome. This is in contrast to the position under the Comprehensive Spending Review process at which time there was an urgent requirement to achieve reductions in public expenditure to return the public finances to a sustainable trajectory.
The evident base generated by the Spending Review process is playing an important role in informing and assisting discussions on the preparation of the Estimates, both in regard to existing expenditure policy as well as the consideration of new policy proposals. This will continue into the future on the basis of the analysis and results generated in the further two years of the current three year spending review cycle.
My Department monitors the level of spending across all areas of Government throughout the year. At the end of August 2017 overall gross voted expenditure is €206 million under profile, split between €168 million in current and €38 million in capital. This emerging expenditure position is taken fully into account during the Estimates process.
Office of Public Works
134. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will respond to a person (details supplied); if this event can take place in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41687/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): The Office of Public Works is quite happy to work with the promoter on this proposal and has made contact with him directly in recent days to seek more details about the event.
Office of Public Works Projects
135. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the river C1-37-10 in County Westmeath could be lowered by the OPW; if the OPW will liaise with a person (details supplied) on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41831/17]
Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran): Earlier this year, the Office of Public Works (OPW) was unable to complete maintenance work on Channel C1-37-10 arising from environmental concerns.
The OPW has been in contact with the land owner in question and informed him that works on the channel bed are scheduled to commence in May 2018 as part of OPW’s ongoing maintenance programme in that area.
Medicinal Products Expenditure
136. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the requirements his Department has placed on the Department of Health or the Health Service Executive to either notify it or seek its approval for expenditure on a new medicine or medicines; the date from which it has applied; the instances of such requirement being met; the criteria applied by his Department in responding to the Department of Health and or the Health Service Executive; and the policy justification for maintaining such requirement in view of the agreement entered into by the State with an organisation (details supplied). [41924/17]
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Responsibility for pharmaceuticals is the responsibility for the Minister for Health.
The introduction of new medicines is governed by the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 which sets out the responsibilities of the HSE and the Department with regard to this matter.
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund
137. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Cork to Caranua has been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41275/17]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. The processing of individual applications is a matter for Caranua itself and I have no role in that process.
Decisions of Caranua may be appealed to an independent Appeals Officer appointed under section 21 of the 2012 Act and I understand that in the case referred to by the Deputy the decision of Caranua was appealed. I understand also that it is the practice of the Appeals Officers to provide reasons for their decisions to individual appellants and I am advised that the decision letter that issued in this case outlined the reasons why the appeal was not upheld.
I should point out also that a person who is affected by a decision of an Appeals Officer may appeal to the High Court on a point of law.
Refugee Resettlement Programme
138. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if English classes are provided to Syrian refugees residing in accommodation centres under the scope of his Department's resettlement programme; the persons who can attend such classes; the number of hours per week over the number of weeks these classes are provided; if these classes are accompanied by reading or listening materials students can study in their own time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41792/17]
139. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the English language supports provided to refugees resident in emergency reception and orientation centres, EROCs, who have come here under the refugee protection programme; the persons among this cohort of refugees who are eligible for such supports; the number of hours of tuition provided on a weekly basis; the number of weeks that such tuition is provided; the way in which persons are facilitated to study in their own time with reading or listening materials; if each person is tracked by his Department in terms of their progress; and the percentage of uptake among the cohort of refugees in question. [41793/17]
140. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if English classes are provided to Syrian refugees and asylum seekers once they leave accommodation centres and are placed in their resettlement communities; if these classes are provided in a routine manner, for example, if they are provided from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. five days per week; and if there is a cost to these persons for same. [41794/17]
141. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of English language supports provided to refugees who have come here under the refugee protection programme and are now settled in communities; the number of refugees who have come through the programme, moved on from EROCs and are now living in communities; the number of such refugees by education and training board, ETB, area; the amount of tuition hours provided for persons on a weekly basis; the number of weeks that such tuition is made available; the percentage uptake of person to this tuition by ETB area; the monetary costs associated with accessing English language supports provided by ETBs; and if each person is tracked by his Department or local ETB in terms of their progress. [41795/17]
142. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing 12 months of English classes and accompanying basic reading and listening materials to each Syrian refugee who enters the resettlement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41796/17]
195. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the average cost to a local ETB of providing 12 months of English language tuition to refugees who have been resettled under the refugee protection programme; and the costs of materials required. [41797/17]
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 142, inclusive, and 195 together.
Individual ETBs provide the following categories of education within the IRPP EROCs:
- A transitional primary school programme is provided on-site in individual EROCs. The programme introduces children and their families to the Irish education system whilst also fostering social and personal development and cultural integration.
- Post primary education, which includes a core programme of English language tuition, is provided off-site in the local post primary school(s).
- Where it is not possible to access post primary provision (often due to the timing of arrival) an appropriate ETB migrant education programme is provided for this age group.
- Provision for all adults is based on developing English language skills and preparation for independent living in Ireland through an English Language and Orientation Programme.
- Classes are delivered in a 12-week cycle with a review of each individual learner at the end of this cycle to determine whether progression to a higher level is appropriate.
- Classes are delivered from 09.20 – 12.30, Monday to Thursday. Where necessary adult class times can be varied to meet local needs (e.g. afternoon and evening classes). Exceptional circumstances of individual learners are dealt with on a case by case basis.
There is no charge for participation in education provision within the EROC’s for any age level.
Evaluation and oversight of education provision in the EROCS, including the resourcing of same, takes place in accordance with ETB policies and procedures and in consultation with the DES.
On relocation from EROC accommodation to their new homes, families are assisted by local Resettlement Interagency Committees which include representatives of ETBs, local schools and Tusla’s EWS who assist with access to mainstream education for all age groups.
Statistics in relation to the overall number of persons participating in the IRPP, including details of arrivals to EROCS and onward relocation to resettlement communities are collated by the IRPP. The statistical and financial information in relation to education provision requested by the Deputy is not available in the format requested. |
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