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<title>Billy Kelleher - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)</title>
<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/mp/?pid=17</link>
<description></description>
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<dc:date>2009-04-15T16:11:16+00:00</dc:date>

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<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.411.0&amp;m=419#g428.2">
	<title>Job Losses. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.411.0&amp;m=419#g428.2</link>
	<description>Will the Deputies still be friends?</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="428.2">Will the Deputies still be friends?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g409.2">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g409.2</link>
	<description>I understand Deputy Varadkar&acirc;s opinions, which are being echoed elsewhere.  People are conscious of the need for remunerative packages to be set in accordance with our current backdrop.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="409.2">I understand Deputy Varadkarâs opinions, which are being echoed elsewhere.  People are conscious of the need for remunerative packages to be set in accordance with our current backdrop.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g407.2">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g407.2</link>
	<description>The setting of remuneration for such a position is a matter for the Department of Finance.  Given the backdrop, people are trying to make sacrifices to ensure the broader public buys into our...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="407.2">The setting of remuneration for such a position is a matter for the Department of Finance.  Given the backdrop, people are trying to make sacrifices to ensure the broader public buys into our attempts to face current challenges.  In light of how things are going, someone might not take the job were he or she paid a Minister of Stateâs salary.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g404.3">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g404.3</link>
	<description>The Deputy is asking all the right questions.  Putting a deadline on the report would not be possible.  We must understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General is a constitutional position....</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="404.2">The Deputy is asking all the right questions.  Putting a deadline on the report would not be possible.  We must understand that the Comptroller and Auditor General is a constitutional position.  When requested, he agreed to do this.  Out of respect to the Committee of Public Accounts, which was investigating the issue at the time, he decided to await its findings.  FĂS is implementing some of the PACâs recommendations.</p><p pid="404.3">When the report is finalised, we will have a full and frank discussion in which many of its aspects can be taken on board.  It would not be fair or possible to request a timeline, as this detailed and wide-ranging analysis and investigation of FĂS will take time.  Once the report is published, I am sure everyone will comment on it.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g402.2">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g402.2</link>
	<description>The appointment of the new director general of F&Atilde;S will be made today.  Interviews have been finalised such that there will be an announcement on that issue.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="402.2">The appointment of the new director general of FĂS will be made today.  Interviews have been finalised such that there will be an announcement on that issue.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g399.2">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g399.2</link>
	<description>It is a very good answer.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="399.2">It is a very good answer.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g396.2">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g396.2</link>
	<description>It is the same answer.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="396.2">It is the same answer.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g394.2">
	<title>Departmental Agencies. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.391.0&amp;m=419#g394.2</link>
	<description>It is very similar to the previous question.  Will I read the reply into the record?</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="394.2">It is very similar to the previous question.  Will I read the reply into the record?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.370.0&amp;m=419#g380.2">
	<title>Job Losses. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.370.0&amp;m=419#g380.2</link>
	<description>I mentioned those small businesses already.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="380.2">I mentioned those small businesses already.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g368.2">
	<title>Skill Shortages. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g368.2</link>
	<description>There is a reduction.  It was 26.7% last year and it has been reduced by in excess of 25% this year.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="368.2">There is a reduction.  It was 26.7% last year and it has been reduced by in excess of 25% this year.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g366.2">
	<title>Skill Shortages. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g366.2</link>
	<description>A budget will be introduced next week and that will bring finality to many of the issues being raised by the Deputy.  Skillnets has been given its allocation for 2009.  It is the case that there...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="366.2">A budget will be introduced next week and that will bring finality to many of the issues being raised by the Deputy.  Skillnets has been given its allocation for 2009.  It is the case that there is a reduction, but the priority must be with people who now find themselves unemployed and no one in the House could disagree with that.  We must use all our resources to ensure such people at least have some form of training, re-skilling and reorientation of their skills available.  This will assist their efforts to try to find work in the limited opportunities available, but at least when the upturn comes, they would have been given that opportunity.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g364.2">
	<title>Skill Shortages. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g364.2</link>
	<description>I will tell him when the decision is made.</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="364.2">I will tell him when the decision is made.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g362.3">
	<title>Skill Shortages. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g362.3</link>
	<description>Skillnets has been already given its budget for 2009.  There has been a reduction of 26% in the budget for the provision of training for those in work.  It is part of the national skills strategy...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="362.2">Skillnets has been already given its budget for 2009.  There has been a reduction of 26% in the budget for the provision of training for those in work.  It is part of the national skills strategy and the one step up programme for training people in unemployment.  Let us be under no illusions.  We must refocus and rededicate the scarce resources to provide training for people who lose their jobs.  Many of the people who would have trained in Skillnets were low skilled workers and have recently lost their jobs.  The priority obviously is to train those people and provide upskilling support for them.</p><p pid="362.3">Skillnets has already got its budget, but we will evaluate the resources for those who find themselves unemployed in order to train them.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g359.4">
	<title>Skill Shortages. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.357.0&amp;m=419#g359.4</link>
	<description>Government funding of the Skillnets training networks programme, which supports enterprise-led training in the workplace, has increased in recent years.  Public funding of all training networks...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="359.2">Government funding of the Skillnets training networks programme, which supports enterprise-led training in the workplace, has increased in recent years.  Public funding of all training networks and in-company training programmes managed by Skillnets Limited amounted to âŹ26.7 million in 2008.  This level of funding has been indicative of the Governmentâs commitment to upskilling persons in employment, with particular emphasis on those with low basic skills, in order to retain and enhance employability and maintain competitiveness.  The programmeâs budget is provided through the national training fund, with levels of matching funding provided by the private sector.</p><p pid="359.3">The changed economic and employment market has meant many of the workers who would have benefited from training programmes for those in employment are now unemployed.  In my view, this means we must adjust our training programmes to the new reality of the labour market.  That is why my Department is implementing a number of initiatives to increase training for the unemployed.  This will mean refocusing some of the finite budgetary resources for training towards activation measures aimed at training greater numbers of unemployed persons.  It is because of this that the Skillnets training network programme allocation for 2009 is under review in the forthcoming April budget.</p><p pid="359.4">I am aware that proposals have been made to my Department from Skillnets on how the enterprise-led Skillnets training network model might potentially be of assistance in the training and up-skilling of the unemployed and of part-time workers.  These proposals are currently under discussion with the Department.  All departmental budgets are under review.  Any re-allocations that result will reflect the funding priorities that have been agreed by the Government and the changes necessary to support their delivery.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g354.3">
	<title>F&Atilde;S Report. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g354.3</link>
	<description>There is much urgency in this.  At the time these problems arose, the T&Atilde;&iexcl;naiste requested the Comptroller and Auditor General to go in and do an evaluation.  As the Committee of Public Accounts...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="354.2">There is much urgency in this.  At the time these problems arose, the TĂĄnaiste requested the Comptroller and Auditor General to go in and do an evaluation.  As the Committee of Public Accounts had initiated hearings and discussions, the Comptroller and Auditor General indicated, out of respect for that committee, that he would await its report on FĂS.  The Comptroller and Auditor General is in there now.  It is a constitutional position and we should afford him the time to investigate and compile a report.  When that report is completed, we will have a full discussion on it.</p><p pid="354.3">A new CEO will be appointed to FĂS in the very near future.  We are very conscious of what is happening.  There is a simplistic debate about FĂS and its budget of more than âŹ1 billion.  Much of that budget is used as a paymaster budget for allowances, training programmes and so on.  It is not a âŹ1 billion budget that is spent on training courses; it is also spent on the allowances for the trainees on those courses.  More than 2,200 staff are employed by FĂS and they provide frontline services to the unemployed and in re-training.  The idea that âŹ1 billion is being sloshed around the place is factually incorrect, and the Deputy knows that as well as I do.  We all accept that FĂS must rise to the challenge, and it is doing that.  However, the idea that âŹ1 billion is being spent on training is not correct.  It is being spent on the people who are participating in the training programmes.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g352.3">
	<title>F&Atilde;S Report. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g352.3</link>
	<description>I appreciate the Deputy&acirc;s comments.  Many staff experienced anxiety during the turbulent period before Christmas.  We should acknowledge that, especially for frontline staff.  The first thing...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="352.2">I appreciate the Deputyâs comments.  Many staff experienced anxiety during the turbulent period before Christmas.  We should acknowledge that, especially for frontline staff.  The first thing we should do is await the report.  When it is finalised and published, there will be broad discussions on its content.  </p><p pid="352.3">I cannot comment on a report that has not been completed.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g350.2">
	<title>F&Atilde;S Report. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g350.2</link>
	<description>Is the Deputy referring to the report of the Committee of Public Accounts or the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General?</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="350.2">Is the Deputy referring to the report of the Committee of Public Accounts or the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General?</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g348.2">
	<title>F&Atilde;S Report. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g348.2</link>
	<description>The board is made up of the constituent parts of the social partnership process.  There are nominations from the social partners, but we will await the outcome of the report of the Comptroller...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="348.2">The board is made up of the constituent parts of the social partnership process.  There are nominations from the social partners, but we will await the outcome of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General.  A constitutional position like that deserves respect, and we will do a full evaluation on the report when he publishes it.  We have not ruled anything in or out, as the old cliche goes.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g346.2">
	<title>F&Atilde;S Report. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g346.2</link>
	<description>We are taking into account the findings of the report of the Committee of Public Accounts.  In fairness, much previous commentary was against the backdrop of these investigations.  We will await...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="346.2">We are taking into account the findings of the report of the Committee of Public Accounts.  In fairness, much previous commentary was against the backdrop of these investigations.  We will await the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and then do a full evaluation.  It would be appropriate that we would only allow the Comptroller and Auditor General to investigate and make recommendations.  On foot of that, there will be a full review and analysis of FĂS on all aspects of the Comptroller and Auditor Generalâs report.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>
<item rdf:about="http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g344.6">
	<title>F&Atilde;S Report. | D&amp;aacute;il debates</title>
	<link>http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2009-04-01.342.0&amp;m=419#g344.6</link>
	<description>I welcome the report of the Committee of Public Accounts on F&Atilde;S and commend the committee for the work carried out in this matter.  I note that while the report in general concentrates on what...</description>
	<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p pid="344.3">I welcome the report of the Committee of Public Accounts on FĂS and commend the committee for the work carried out in this matter.  I note that while the report in general concentrates on what went wrong in FĂS, it also points out that the good work being done by the staff should not be overlooked in any commentary.</p><p pid="344.4">Many of the issues contained in the report have already been aired in public.  Previously, I have expressed my concerns in respect of various matters raised by internal audit reports in FĂS and subsequently taken up by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his earlier report on a number of public bodies.</p><p pid="344.5">Since the publication of these reports, a series of steps has been undertaken to deal with the matters raised.  In particular, FĂS has clarified its procedures and strengthened its internal controls, including in the audit and procurement areas, and has passed certain issues to the Garda for investigation.  A copy of the internal audit report INV 137, which was the basis for the Comptroller and Auditor Generalâs report, has been sent to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.  The Comptroller and Auditor General has commenced a wide-ranging investigation in FĂS, which includes internal controls, governance arrangements, marketing and advertising and specific follow-up of matters raised in the course of hearings of the Committee of Public Accounts.  The chairman of FĂS, following a request from my Department has provided an undertaking that FĂS is now fully compliant with Department of Finance regulations on foreign travel.  The board of FĂS has stated that whatever additional actions are necessary arising from the report will be fully implemented.</p><p pid="344.6">In keeping with standard practice, a formal response to the Committee of Public Accounts on this report will be contained in the minute of the Minister for Finance on the Report of the Committee of Public Accounts on the Fourth Interim Report on Special Report 10 of the Comptroller and Auditor General and FĂS 2007 Accounts.  Officials in my Department and FĂS are currently preparing their inputs into the Minister of Financeâs minute.</p>]]></content:encoded>
	<dc:date>2009-04-01T15:00:00+00:00</dc:date>
</item>


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