Results 42,321-42,340 of 46,353 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there has been no change made by them in the pensionable status of the person concerned.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reports (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I understand from the Commissioners of Public Works that the space audit in the Government Offices, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise and in the Eircom Building is now complete. The analysis of these surveys is still ongoing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The space audit, however, consist of floor plans of both buildings and I would be happy to arrange for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The River Feale Catchment Drainage Scheme was carried by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, and the OPW continues to have a statutory responsibility for the maintenance of this scheme. Each year the OPW carries out work to approximately 2,000km of channels and about 200 structures around the country as part of its ongoing and rolling arterial drainage...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The former Social Welfare Office at Bohernasup is currently being used for the archiving of files for both the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Department of Social Protection. As this is a State owned property, the Commissioners of Public Works have a duty of care to ensure that the building fabric is maintained and have carried out essential works by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval or confirmation by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. A report commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) on a required independent evaluation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The river concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of the channel, nor any authority to carry out any works there. Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: A flood relief scheme for Glanmire, known as the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme, is being advanced by Cork County Council which is the Contracting Authority for the proposed works. The Council appointed consultants for the project in late 2013 and two public information days have been held on the project in order to consult with the general public. A preferred option is expected to be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: In relation to the Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme, a preferred scheme design option was presented at a statutory Public Exhibition which took place from 15th December 2014 to 20th January 2015. Members of the Public were invited to submit observations on the preferred option by 20th February 2015. All the observations received from concerned parties have been considered and the public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is currently being undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with its consultants, local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with national flood policy and the EU Directive (2007/EC/60). The six studies in the current Programme will assess flood risk in 300 Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs)...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Staff (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the position of Manager at the Blasket Centre will be considered in the context of OPW’s overall workforce planning.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (22 Sep 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has submitted the proposals for the Clare River (Claregalway) flood relief scheme for statutory approval by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, as required by the Arterial Drainage Acts. For clarification, a separate or further Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required but rather the Confirmation or approval process requires the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Assessments (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is currently undertaking a comprehensive programme of assessment for 300 mainly urban Areas for Further Assessment (AFAs) across all national river catchments through the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The AFAs were selected following a national Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment in 2011. Under the CFRAM Programme, detailed...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works have completed a space audit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine's accommodation in the State owned Government Offices, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise and of space leased for the Department at Knockmay, Portlaoise. The Commissioners will be liaising directly with the Department on the outcomes of the surveys to ascertain how best to consolidate...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Architectural Heritage (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As per my previous answer to Parliamentary Question No. 188 on 14 January 2015: The Office of Public Works has no plans to restore Kilmacurragh House as the property was acquired for the purpose of preserving the arboretum, which was considered a significant piece of heritage, and on condition that the house would not be restored. The OPW is considering options to ensure that the remaining...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Expenditure (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: In order to provide a comprehensive response to the questions raised, current expenditure on the Office of Public Works (OPW) Vote has been included in addition to capital investment expenditure by the OPW in Co Cork for the years 2011 to 14 July 2015. Expenditure on Office of Public Works Vote in County Cork (€) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 (to 14/7/15) Total Purchase of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has developed plans to provide improved pedestrian access from the Council owned car park linking the existing paths to the Grianan of Aileach. These works commenced last October and were carried out by the OPW's direct labour force but were suspended during the winter as weather conditions made progress impossible. In this instance, the entire hill is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Grianan of Aileach is a National Monument which attracts large numbers of visitors. While there is a Council owned carpark at the base of the Grianan, the Office of Public Works (OPW) does not currently provide a guide service or visitor facilities at the site. Further development within the area in the care of the OPW, the footprint of the monument, would not be possible as the entire...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As previously outlined to the Deputy in the reply to Parliamentary Question 38476 of 8 October 2014, the Ahascragh River forms part of the Ahascragh River Drainage District and, as such, the responsibility for maintenance rests with the relevant local authority, in this case Galway County Council. Under the Arterial Drainage Act, 1945, as amended, all local authorities are required to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (16 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As stated in replies to previous questions Nos 314 of 13 May, 2015 and 85 of 8 July 2015, the site in question at Anne Street was acquired by the OPW from Wexford Borough Council in exchange for a site owned by the Commissioners at King Street. The Anne Street site was assembled by Wexford Borough Council prior to the property exchange. In relation to a number of the questions submitted...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (15 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Whelan for raising this matter and giving me an opportunity to respond on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who is unable to attend. I will begin by giving the background to the sale of the national lottery licence. In view of the prevailing economic challenges, the Government decided to explore the opportunities presented...