Results 42,361-42,380 of 46,353 for speaker:Simon Harris

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (8 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, together. Until all the Flood Risk Management Plans, including the Western CFRAM Plan, are developed it is not possible to state the funding to be made available to implement the measures contained in the plans. As regards prioritisation, those schemes and measures offering the greatest benefit relative to cost will generally be those...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Construction Contracts (8 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: Evaluation of the tenders received by the Office of Public Works (OPW) for construction of the new Regional and Divisional Headquarters for An Garda Síochána in Galway is at an advanced stage. Post tender clarifications are being pursued by the OPW with the contractor who appears to have submitted the most economically advantageous tender. Subject to a satisfactory outcome being...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Site Acquisitions (8 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works acquired a site from Wexford Borough Council in 2007 to accommodate new Government offices at Crescent Quay/Anne Street, Wexford. The acquisition of this site was in exchange for a site at King Street, Wexford owned by the Commissioners. The Office of Public Works has conducted a review of the files relating to this property transaction and there are no...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Archaeological Sites (7 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: It is not appropriate to move National Monuments to other locations solely on the basis of visitor or tourism potential. The Dunloe Ogham Stones are not considered to be under any threat and therefore it is not proposed to move them.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Staff (7 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works recruits seasonal guides each year and these posts are advertised in the national papers, on social media, in regional publications and on the OPW’s website. The application form together with an information guide is made available on the OPW website. The information guide contains comprehensive information for candidates, including details of the job...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (7 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy is aware from earlier replies (Parliamentary Questions 237 of 3 March and 13652 of 2 April 2015), the bridge in question was constructed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as part of the Corrib-Mask-Robe Arterial Drainage Scheme under the powers given to the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland by the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. No agreement has been signed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Architectural Heritage (7 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As far as the Office of Public Works is aware no arrangements were made for a meeting on the date stated. Tenders have been invited for the preparation of a Conservation and Management Plan for Bunadubber Mill. It is hoped to have a consultant in place for September this year. Until this process has been completed any meeting, along the lines suggested, is unlikely to be of any real value.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Properties (7 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: The Commissioners of Public Works have agreed to transfer the site at Harcourt Terrace, which incorporates the former Garda station and film Censor's Office, to the Department of Education and Skills for the purpose of building a new primary school subject to the Department securing the necessary planning permission. The Department of Education and Skills has launched an architectural design...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Status (7 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As the Deputy will be aware, the Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme is being progressed by Cork County Council as the Contracting Authority for the project, with funding being provided by the OPW. The current position is that tenders from civil works contractors have been received and have been assessed by the Council. The Skibbereen Scheme will shortly be submitted to the Minister for...

Other Questions: Office of Public Works Properties (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kyne for the question. The Office of Public Works operates guide services at approximately 70 sites nationwide. Some of these locations are open on a full-time basis. However, the majority, approximately 46, are open seasonally on various dates between April and October. The guided visitor sites operated in Galway and Mayo and their relevant opening arrangements this year...

Other Questions: Office of Public Works Properties (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Kyne. Athenry Castle had 743 visitors on free Wednesdays last year out of a total of 13,532 visitors. I will make these figures available to the Deputy. All in all, more than 6,700 people visited our heritage sites in Galway and Mayo on the free Wednesdays and more than 217,000 people visited those same sites in Galway and Mayo during the entire year of 2014. In addition to...

Other Questions: Office of Public Works Properties (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I will be happy to look at this on a case-by-case basis. The Office of Public Works approaches these issues with a view to wanting to engage with the community. We are very reliant on community support. The success of the OPW in presenting our heritage is based on this collaborative approach between community organisations, local authorities, Fáilte Ireland and the Office of Public...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As I have already outlined, Circular 16/13 encourages public bodies to utilise the central framework agreements.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I have outlined that where they are not in a position to do so, they must produce a value-for-money justification.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: In regard to that, I have outlined that the value-for-money justification must include the full cost of running a public procurement competition. I hope we have an opportunity to engage in a sustained, lengthy and necessary debate on the purpose of public procurement because it is not a subsidy. Deputy McDonald and I had the pleasure of serving on the Committee of Public Accounts together...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: We have a duty-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I am not talking down the clock, the Deputy is interrupting me. We have a duty also to get value for money for taxpayers. We need to encourage our SMEs to get involved in the reform programme and I remain absolutely committed to that. However, we have a duty on value for money. We cannot be hypocritical and criticise public servants for not getting value for money for taxpayers and then...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for her question. The reform of the public procurement system across the public service is a key element of the public sector reform programme.  Fragmented procurement arrangements have facilitated, among other things, suppliers charging different public service bodies different prices for the same goods and services. Public procurement savings are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Procurement Regulations (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: I acknowledge the Deputy's support for the OGP. We have had some useful discussions in the House on these issues, including on the legislation introduced by the Deputy which dealt with the social clauses aspect. That is an issue the working group continues to consider and I hope to be able to report progress shortly in that regard. Circular 16/13, issued by the OGP and the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (2 Jul 2015)

Simon Harris: As per Deputy Fleming's request, I have provided him with a list of works under the aegis of the Office of Public Works that satisfy the criteria outlined by him. Following clarification, this list comprises: - Capital Works with an associated cost greater than €100,000; - Commenced or expected to Commence in 2015; - OPW funded or Client-funded Works carried out by OPW. Where contracts...