An Garda Síochána

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

circular, to include the formulation of any initial and subsequent proposal, internal departmental records, consultation processes, submissions to and from members of government, inter government department communications, external communications, legal advice and government decisions. Records to include formal and informal written communications, emails, file notes (handwritten or otherwise), records of telephone conversations and records held on any other medium. (2) Information regarding and records of a precedent(s) for the “decision”. (3) The numbers and grades of civil service officers in the Department of Finance and across each government agency comprehended by the circular who availed of the enhanced retirement lump sum arrangement on foot of the “decision”.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Relevant documents/policies of the Department of Finance. I was employed in the public sector (University of Limerick) before Jan 2011. I left my job in the public sector (UCD) on 29 Feb 2016, with the annual salary of €42,500. I returned to the public sector (TCD) on 1 Sep 2018. The annual salary offered to me was €33,875 (the first point in the scale). TCD claimed (in the job advertisement) that the payment will be at a point of the pay scale in line with the current Government pay policy. Now, my request is to be provided with the document of the government policy that indicates, either: - It is recommended that a public sector body should/can offer the annual salary lower than the level which the employee was paid before in a similar public sector body.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

or: - The public sector body was obliged (based on the Department of Finance pay policy) to offer the salary in the first point of the scale, regardless of either the applicant competency or their previous history of employment and salary level in the public sector, or: - Possibly the policy of the Department of Finance that explains the obligation of the public sector body to offer the returning employees to the public sector with at least their salary when they left their previous post in the public sector. I would therefore request you with reference to the FOI Act 2014, to forward me the policies which may possibly address any of the above. Otherwise, in the case of lack of such policies, please formally confirm so, In any case, please provide me with the policy which you believe was referred to by TCD.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

A copy of the following documents and/or records and/or documents containing the following information be provided to it: Copies of all records, information, documents, materials and data, whether in computer, electronic or hard copy form in respect of all dealings between Trinity College Dublin and The Office for Government Procurement in relation to the Covid 19 Ex‐Gratia Payment including but not limited to, inter alia, copies of all written and/or electronic correspondence, memos, notes, records between Trinity College Dublin, its agents, servants or representatives and The Office for Government Procurement, its agents, servants or representatives.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I refer to the Department of Finance Circular 35/2007 (E157/19/2000), dated 02/11/2007 and to Section 5. (Superannuation), which sets out the arrangements for the payment of a lump sum to “an officer who

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

retires between 14 September 2007 and the date on which the full rate recommended in Review Body Report No. 42 becomes payable”. The circular also stated “The death gratuity of an officer who dies in service between 14 September 2007 and the date on which the full recommended rate becomes payable should be calculated on the same basis.” The Appendix to the circular set out the “Revised non-PPC rates of salary” for the posts of Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General with effect from 14 September 2007. The subject matter of this FOI Request is the decision contained in Section 5. to apply the full rates of Report No. 42 awards to the lump sums of officers who retired between 14 September 2007 and the date on which the full rate recommended in Review Body Report No. 42 became payable (01/03/2009). I request the following records: (1) All records concerning the “decision” above, as contained in the circular, to include the formulation of any initial and subsequent proposal, advice to the government, submissions to and from members of government, internal departmental records, consultation processes, inter government department communications, external communications, legal advice and government decisions. Records to include formal and informal written communications, emails, file notes (handwritten or otherwise), records of telephone conversations, minutes of meetings and such records held on any other medium. I am unable to be precise about a period in respect of which records are sought as I have no way of knowing when the process leading to the “decision” commenced. However, the process may have commenced as soon as the Review Body delivered Report No. 42 to the government, perhaps earlier. Inter alia, records to include those specifically identified at (2) and (3) below. (2) Records pertaining to a precedent(s) for the “decision”. (3) Such records as may indicate or refer to the numbers and grades of

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

civil service officers in (a) the Department of Finance and (b) across each government agency comprehended by the circular who availed of the enhanced retirement lump sum arrangement on foot of the “decision”.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I refer to the Department of Finance Circular 17/2008 (E157/19/2000), dated 29/07/2008, which altered from 08/07/2008 the terms previously sanctioned in Circular 35/2007 (02/11/2007) concerning retirement lump sums. The subject matter of this FOI Request is the process that involved civil servants leading up to the issue of Circular 17/2008. I request the following records: (1) All records concerning the “process” above to include the formulation of any initial and subsequent proposal, submissions to and from members of government, advice to government, internal departmental records, consultation processes, inter government department communications, external communications, legal advice and government decisions. Records to include formal and informal written communications, emails, file notes (handwritten or otherwise), records of telephone conversations, minutes of meetings and such records held on any medium. The records being requested are likely to have been created between 02/11/2007 and 29/07/2008. Inter alia, records to include those specifically identified at (2) and (3) below. (2) Records indicating when the Secretary General, Department of Finance, or one of his senior officials, first become aware of any consideration being given by the government to not implement the pending phases of the pay increases as previously approved by the government on foot of Report No. 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Service. (3) Records indicating when the Department of Finance Officials may have informed (formally or informally) other government agencies in

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

advance of the issue of Circular 17/2008 about the consideration being given by the government or about a probable decision by the government to not implement the pending phases of the awards.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I wish to request copies of correspondence (including attachments in the case of emails) between the Department of Finance and the OPW relating to the purchase by the OPW of 91-93 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, and apartments in Clare Lane at the back of the Merrion Square buildings. I am seeking records generated or received between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Number of HEO/EOs in the Civil Service with 2.1 Honours Degrees or above at the beginning and end of years 2018 to 2020 inclusive. Number of AOS in the Civil Service at the beginning and end of years 2018 to 2020 inclusive. Development programs for categories 1 and 2 that are in place from 2018 to present. Statements of compliance with all EU and national equality legislation for these development programs from 2018 to present.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All agendas and minutes for the meetings of the Project Ireland 2040 delivery board from January 1 2020 to date.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Any costings or expenditure analysis, studies / research papers undertaken or received by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the below two programmes and; • Written correspondence from staff/officials including the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform (including email, handwritten, WhatsApp, signal messaging app etc) in relation to the below two programmes: 1) The Justice Plan 2021 and specifically the plan to regularise up to 17,000 illegal immigrants 2) A White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Service

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All correspondence, memos, briefing notes, emails and their attachments, where relevant, between Shane Corr and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform/Private Office of regarding the database referred to in RTE Prime Time 25.03.21 or policy related to it in the period 1 January 2019 – 31 March 2020. All correspondence, memos, briefing notes, emails and their attachments, where relevant, between Shane Corr and officials at the level of Assistant Principal Officer and above at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the database referred to in RTE Prime Time 25.03.21 or policy related to it in the period 1 January 2019 – 31 March 2020

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All correspondence, memos, briefing notes, emails and their attachments, where relevant, between officials at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (including Private Office), at the level of Principal Officer and above, regarding correspondence received from Shane Corr in the period 1 January to 31 March 2020 and March 2021

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All correspondence, memos, briefing notes, emails and their attachments, where relevant, between officials at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (including Private Office), at the level of Principal Officer and above, regarding correspondence received from Shane Corr in the period 1 January 2019 to 30 April 2019

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

The letter referred to in the correspondence (attached), which is a letter from Paschal Donohoe to Simon Harris concerning the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, in November 2018.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All correspondence, memos, briefing notes, emails and their attachments, where relevant, between officials at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (including Private Office), at the level of Principal Officer and above, regarding correspondence received from Shane Corr in the period 1 May 2019 to 31 August 2019

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Any documentation since 2010 that shows the numbers and employment entities of public and, separately, civil servants that have been dismissed by the State and any reasons thereof.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All correspondence, memos, briefing notes, emails and their attachments, where relevant, between officials at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (including Private Office), at the level of Principal Officer and above, regarding correspondence received from in the period 1 September to 31 December 2019

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Copies of any records held referring or relating to the payment of an allowance to military cadets for work as contact tracers. This request to cover the period 1 Jan 2021 to date of receipt of the request.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

A record (in soft copy or email form - no need for physical hard documents) of all expenditure in 2020, incurred by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), on private sector services or hardware, whether provided directly to the OGCIO or on behalf of the OGCIO to a third party. This would include payments to companies, consultancies, accountancy firms and law firms, as well as to any other private sector organisation. Please provide details on the total amount received by each individual private sector organisation, rather than a single accumulative figure. To aid the efficient processing of this request, please disregard any spending on catering, hospitality or accommodation-related expenses. Private sector organisations that received, in total, less than €5,000 from the OGCIO in 2020 can also be disregarded.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

The subject matter of this FOI Request is the decision of the then Minister for Finance in late 2009 or early 2010 to sanction adjustments to the FEMPI cuts for Deputy and Assistant Secretaries (Government Departments) by way of compensation for the withdrawal of the performance-related pay (PRP) scheme for those grades. In this regard, I hereby request the release to me of all records pertaining to the ministerial decision and the lead up to it including:

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

(1) Records concerning the formulation of any initial and subsequent proposal to seek a ministerial decision on the matter, submissions to and from members of government, advice to government, internal departmental records, consultation processes, inter government department communications, external communications, legal advice and communications with staff representative organisations. Records to include formal and informal written communications, emails, file notes (handwritten or otherwise), records of telephone conversations, minutes of meetings and such records held on any medium. The records being requested are likely to have been created during 2009/2010, probably late 2009/early 2010, but not necessarily confined to that time slot. (2) Specifically, records of the proposal(s) made by officials of the department to the minister that resulted in the minister’s decision. (3) Specifically, records of the detailed case made to the minister to adjust the FEMPI pay cuts for the said grades pursuant to their loss of variable PRP awards, including all records that predated the final submission to the Minister for Finance.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I hereby request, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Acts 1994 – 2014 as follows; records relating to the appointment of the Independent Arbitrator, Mr Ciaran Connolly records relating to the recommendations of the Independent Arbitrator, Mr Ciaran Connolly records relating to the interpretation of the wording of the Independent Arbitrators report records relating to the draft Review paper entitled “Availability Allowance Management Review Paper November 2020” (the “Review

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Paper”) as delivered to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform records relating to correspondence, notes/minutes of meetings and/or discussions, and communications between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and any other Government Department regarding the appointment of the Independent Arbitrator, the report and recommendations of the Independent Arbitrator, the interpretation of the wording of the report/recommendations, the process whereby the availability Allowance was reviewed, recommendations contained in the draft Review Paper and the implementation of the recommendations in the draft Review Report Paper.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Under the FOI act 2014 I wish to request sanction correspondence between the Department of Finance and the OPW between June 1, 2007 and June 1, 2008 held in electronic form.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

The amount of money spent by the Department throughout 2020 on taxi services

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Communications between the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and the office of An Taoiseach, regarding the rollout of the Covid vaccination programme. To cover specifically, communications between the office of Minister Michael McGrath or his officials with the office of An Taoiseach & his officials on the issue, from the period November 23rd 2020 to 31st January 2021. To include text messages, emails and other digital records.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Under the FOI Act, 2014, I am seeking all records for the period from 1st December 2020 to the 15th March 2021 with regard to the tender of ‘named business group’ for the EPPM SaaS

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Framework (RFT 177211), and the decision made by your Department to exclude this tender, including all records as regards the assessment and evaluation of this tender under both the selection and award criteria. This should include, but not be limited to, minutes and notes of meetings, records of assessments and all internal communications including e-mails, notes of conversations including telephone conversations, reports etc.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request copies of any records relating to the agreement for bonuses to continue at Goodbody after its purchase by AIB.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I refer to the salary increases for two senior public service posts, i.e. (i) The CEO of the HSE and (ii) the Secretary General, Department of Health. In the case of the HSE post, a new salary of €350,000 was introduced in 2018/2019. In the case of the Secretary General post, a new salary was approved by the government in recent times. This FOI request is solely about the posts and not about their holders in any manner or at any time. For each post, I request the records relating to the initial and subsequent proposals to grant the said salary increase including any submissions received from the agency involved, advice from external parties, submissions to the Minister (DPER) from officials of his department or other parties, correspondence, documentation regarding the justification for the increase and the calculations involved, legal advice sought and provided and the Ministerial decision. Records related to any consideration of the FEMPI (No. 2) Act 2009 provisions are also requested. I recently withdrew three previous requests following feedback from your Department as there were difficulties with my framing

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

of the requests and the probability that some of the records sought were archived off-site with no electronic copies available and difficulties in accessing the archives during COVID times. The request herein relates to reasonably recent matters. Therefore, I anticipate that the records are readily available and identifiable at the DPER and that electronic copies must also exist. Presumably, all such records are retained in case of any future litigation that might arise.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I wish to apply for freedom of information request to gain access to the financial figures that the Department of Health paid to the Galway Clinic during the takeover of all private hospital during the lockdown dated from March 2020 until May 2021.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I wish to receive copies of records concerning the revision of CPU Notice 18 concerning data protection and FOI.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Under the FOI Act, 2014, I wish to request the following records: • A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the 2020 general election. • A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the 2020 Seanad election.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

1. All records - emails, documents, texts &/or phone memos - of correspondence between Robert Watt, Sec General of PER and Martin Fraser, Secretary General of the Dept of Taoiseach, on the subject of the terms and conditions of the contract for Secretary General posts from October 1st to December 31st, 2020. 2. All records - emails documents, texts and/or phone memos - of correspondence between Robert Watt, Sec General of PER and any other personnel in the department on the subject of the grading of Secretary General posts throughout 2020.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I make a request under the freedom of information acts for records relating to the increase in salary for the post of Commissioner, An Garda Siochána as referred to in the letter from the Minister for PER to the chairman of the PAC dated 1 February 2021 (copy attached, reference highlighted). The records should include, but not be limited to, internal and external emails, text messages, messaging records and voice recordings made using official and personal accounts on official and personal computers and personal communications devices. Non-electronic records should also be included. Records should be provided in electronic form only.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I make a request under the freedom of information acts for records relating to the increase in salary for the post of CEO of the HSE as referred to in the letter from the Minister for PER to the chairman of the PAC dated 1 February 2021 (copy attached, reference highlighted). The records should include, but not be limited to, internal and external emails, text messages, messaging records and voice recordings made using official and personal accounts on official and personal computers and personal communications devices. Non-electronic records should also be included. Records should be provided in electronic form only.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Any correspondence or written records relating to the salary increase, remuneration and pension arrangements for the role of secretary general at the Department of Health, which was filled this week

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Any correspondence or written records relating to appointments in which exceptions were made to the public sector pay cap, since January 2020.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Any correspondence or written records relating to pay caps in the commercial semi state sector since January 2020.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

All and any records (including but not limited to written correspondence and written records of conversations) relating to the recommendations contained in the Moorhead Report (in particular, recommendations flowing from that report on the remuneration of councillors) created over the past 12 months between the following Ministers and their respective Departments: An Taoiseach An Tánaiste Minister for Finance Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister of State for Planning and Local Government Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Copies of the minutes of the FOI - IDWG for the period 1 Oct 2020 to date of receipt of the request.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Details of the number of secretary generals of government departments who retired since January 2019, including the roles, pension and whether added years were awarded, special severance payments and lump sums, and correspondence relating to these payments where issues arose or clarification was sought.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, I wish to request a copy of all correspondence from Premier Lotteries Ireland in relation to calls for the prohibition on betting on National Lottery

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

games (including but not limited to e-mails and any attached files therein) since Jan 1, 2019 as well as any responses, (if any), from DPER. I understand the restrictions to accessing physical papers, so am happy under the current circumstances to restrict my request to electronic communications.

Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

• A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the 2016 general election. • A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the 2016 Seanad election. • A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the 2019 European elections. • A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the 2019 local elections.