Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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207. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the date on which OPW and or a contractor engaged by them inspected the mature trees at the Kildare Street gate entrance and Merrion side of Leinster House; if it has been established whether the trees are in a stable condition and are disease-free; and if there are future plans to inspect the trees in the context of their long-term preservation. [41315/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The trees to the Kildare Street and Merrion Square sides of the Leinster House complex are an integral and valued part of the site layout and design. The OPW has carried out inspections, by qualified arborists, of all trees on the site in 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2018. More recently, a five year survey was commissioned in 2020 with reviews each year through to 2025.

Following Storm Betty this summer, report No. 3 was carried out in August 2023 and some minor works were highlighted including removal of deadwood.

The Ash trees on the Merrion Square side are in decline due to Ash dieback and other fruiting fungal bodies. The four London Planes on the Kildare Street side have a slight leaf infection. Tree works will be carried out over the winter period as per the independent Arborist’s report. It is the intention of OPW to maintain and preserve all trees on the complex for as long as possible.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The OPW have consulted with the NSSO in relation to the P.Q. 41346/23 and the NSSO have provided the following response input.

Pension increases due following pay awards on 1 Feb, 2022 and that of 1 Oct, 2022 backdated to 2 Feb, 2022, and the 1 March, 2023 pay increase have already been paid in cases where retirees were on standard pay scale points.

A number of OPW pensioners are occasionally on off-scale points & not linked to Civil Service pay scales which means they have to be reviewed manually. This process is ongoing and OPW are working with the NSSO currently on the payment of any outstanding cases.

Consequently while the majority of pensioners have received increases and their associated arrears, a small number of cases of those with particular allowances and on off-scale points may not have yet received their payments. The OPW and the NSSO are actively working towards finalising this work.