Results 20,141-20,160 of 32,999 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together. The second phase of the Cost of Insurance Working Group project culminated in the publication on January 25th of the Report on the Cost of Employer and Public Liability Insurance, following its approval by Government.  This new Report makes 15 recommendations with 29 associated actions to be carried out, detailed in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Book Sales (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I was first informed by Department officials of PTSB’s intention to offer this particular portfolio of loans for sale on Friday 19thJanuary. My officials were first briefed on the timing of the sale, and potential composition of the portfolio, earlier that week. As this information was commercially sensitive, and as I am obliged to comply with stock exchange disclosure and market...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In answering the Deputy’s question, it is useful if I start by giving some historic context. During the height of the financial crisis a key focus of the authorities was on stabilising and ultimately reducing mortgage arrears through the implementation of sustainable mortgage solutions that were agreed with borrowers.  This led to the Central Bank of Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Policy (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Finance, I attend the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Union (ECOFIN) which is responsible for EU policy in areas including economic policy. I also attend meetings of the Eurogroup, where the ministers of the euro area member states discuss matters concerning their shared responsibilities related to the euro. The Eurogroup’s main task is to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Availability (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 208 together. Supporting the availability of finance for SMEs is a cornerstone element of Government policy in our efforts to strengthen the economy and create jobs.  Government is focused on ensuring that all viable SMEs have access to an appropriate supply of credit from a diverse range of bank and non-bank sources. In this regard the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Motor Insurance Costs (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As you are aware, the Cost of Insurance Working Group published its Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance on 10 January 2017.  The Report makes 33 recommendations with 71 associated actions to be carried out in agreed timeframes, set out in an Action Plan within the Report.  Work is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations by the relevant Government...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Growth Rate (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 209 together. Recent economic indicators have generally been positive, indicating that the recovery is continuing in a sustainable manner.   Modified domestic demand, which adjusts for distortions in the Irish economy, is up 4.0 per cent in 2017. Growth is broad based with net exports also contributing positively to growth last year. The strength...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Issues (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department has been to the fore in producing and funding a number of Brexit-related studies, both before and since the UK's referendum decision, to assess and prepare for the impact of a UK exit from the European Union. All of these Brexit-related studies are available on my Department's website. In addition, regular updates of my Department’s Macro-Economic forecasts take account...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, within the remit of the Central Bank of Ireland's responsibilities for safeguarding stability and protecting consumers; its approach to mortgage arrears resolution is focused on ensuring the fair treatment of borrowers through a strong consumer protection framework and ensuring that lenders have appropriate arrears resolution strategies and operations.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, within the remit of the Central Bank’s responsibilities for safeguarding stability and protecting consumers, its approach to mortgage arrears resolution is focused on ensuring the fair treatment of borrowers through a strong consumer protection framework and ensuring that lenders have appropriate arrears resolution strategies and operations in place. ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Job Creation Data (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: My Department's most recent macroeconomic forecasts were published with Budget 2018 in October last year, and cover the period up until 2021. The table sets out the total employment projections from these forecasts. Overall, it is forecast that approximately 115,000 net additional jobs will be created over the period from 2018 to 2021. For this year, employment growth of 2.3 per cent...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 194 of 27 February 2018.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 216, 220 and 223 together. The public service is central to economic and social life in Ireland. Significant reforms have been made in recent years and have made the work of the public service more transparent, decision-making more accountable and service delivery more effective and efficient. Our Public Service 2020, which I launched last...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In 2017, the OECD were commissioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to undertake a written evaluation of the Public Service Reform Plan 2014-16, with a view to informing future public service reform efforts. This assessment, which was published in July 2017, focused on whether the plan met its objectives; provided clear recommendations for the future direction of public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together. Procurement is a key element of the Government’s Public Service Reform agenda and is a very significant portion of overall spending. The State buys everything from pens and paper, through to naval vessels and surgical equipment. In this context, it is essential that the Public Service operates in a co-ordinated and efficient...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware the unwinding of the emergency FEMPI legislation commenced with the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018 and will be completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 -2020.  The Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 sets out a specific schedule of measures and dates in respect of deductions made under the FEMPI Acts including provisions in respect...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The recent review of the capital plan, Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment 2016–2021, was published in September 2017. This review: - confirmed the compelling case for increased public capital investment to strengthen Ireland’s public capital infrastructure and build the resilience of the economy in terms of significant risks such as Brexit; - emphasised...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, a whole of Government approach is being adopted to addressing the impacts of Brexit. Detailed work is taking place across Departments and in State agencies to prepare for the UK’s exit from the EU. This includes contingency planning for all Brexit scenarios; engagement with stakeholders; support to companies from the enterprise agencies; and work to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Based on the information provided, the person concerned availed of a marriage gratuity in respect her service when she retired in 1979.  In accordance with the terms and conditions of the payment of marriage gratuities, acceptance of a marriage gratuity is in lieu of any superannuation entitlements arising from such service.  Therefore , there is no entitlement to an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (27 Mar 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Formal arrangements to meet in relation to the matter concerned are the subject of deliberation between the parties and remain to be finalised.