Results 21,341-21,360 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I cannot comment on the particular incident that the Deputy has referred to in relation to NAMA because I am not aware of it. I cannot comment on something unless I have more information on it. By and large, public bodies should be retaining all of their records that support decisions, either in relation to individuals or policy matters. However, it is the case, certainly at political...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As I said, I will not comment on the NAMA matter that Deputy Wallace has raised with me until I have more information on it and I can see was that decision taken and why. When I have had a look at that, I will be in a position to comment better on the matter.

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will be aware that last week the Government decided to increase the compulsory retirement age from 65 to 70 for public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. I announced this on Wednesday last with the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donovan and Moran. The decision to remain at work beyond the age of 65 will be completely voluntary on the part of the employee. There will be no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I want our country to do better on climate change. The national planning framework will not reference capital projects. It is not its role to do so, rather it is the role of the capital plan. The capital plan will make provision for how we can do better in responding to the challenge of climate change and that is something we need to do. As the Deputy is well aware, the long-term...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will no doubt be aware – I am sure he has welcomed it – we have just had the opening of Luas Cross City this week. That is an example of the kind of public transport of which we need more. I am aware of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly, but the assembly has the ability to consider each item in isolation whereas I do not. I have to pull everything...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We will go ahead with a capital plan once the input from the current consultation on the current draft plan is assessed and if any of it is taken on board. As for what the capital plan will look like, as Deputy Calleary is aware, the planning framework highlights a number of cities at present and beyond that, the framework will be influenced and led by regional assemblies. I do not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: There are two learnings that I have taken from the Luas cross-city project. The first is that if one has a State body that is led strongly with the right expertise in place and with a really clear mandate that is supported politically by its line Department, it can deliver complex projects on time and under budget. It is worth emphasising that Luas cross-city is a light rail project that,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I would urge the Deputy to hold his fire with regard to public transport until he sees the plan. He has already made up his mind even though the plan has not been published yet. He has many powers but I did not realise that he had the ability to read my mind.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We might ask the Deputy to make some other predictions for the new year.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I urge the Deputy to wait until the plan is published before he makes his mind up on the nature of investment contained therein. I have said on a number of occasions that I recognise the value of public transport. However, I also must recognise that there are multiple reasons for going ahead with road projects. Much as I would like it to be, public transport cannot be the answer to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As previously outlined to the Deputy in response to his parliamentary question on this matter in September and at other points, I will bring forward a review of the capital plan that will highlight some key themes which will closely inform and be incorporated into the analysis leading to finalisation of the new ten-year plan for public capital investment for the period from 2018 to 2027. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Private Partnerships (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I should first explain that Public Private Partnerships are already subject to a strong public investment management methodology, which includes appraisal. The Deputy may be referring to a recommendation made as part of the recent IMF PIMA report, to the effect that appraisals should be published on a more systematic basis. The National Development Finance Agency was established in 2003...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Each Minister is ultimately responsible for appointments to boards under their aegis and must have regard to the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards. Relevant issues relating to the effective operation of each board, including those such as diversity, gender balance and mix of expertise and skill sets are for each Minister to consider. As set out in the Guidelines, compliance with...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Expenditure Reviews (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As part of my Estimates speech on Budget day last year I announced that a spending review would take place on a three-year rolling basis. The first cycle of the Spending Review in 2017, which culminated in the publication of over 20 analytical papers on Spending Review topics, was successfully completed in October following the publication of Budget 2018. This was the first cycle of a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The issue of addressing the difference in incremental salary scales between those public servants, who entered public service employment since 2011 and those who entered before that date was addressed with the relevant union interests under the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA). From 1 November 2013 pre and post-2011 pay scales were merged into a single consolidated scale...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established in 2011. Therefore, this reply covers the period since then. The following tables reflect the amount spent by the Department and the bodies under its aegis on public relations services in the period in question: Name of Service Provider Amount Spent € Purpose Body Mindshare Media Ireland Ltd.(2017) €145,441.83...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Since Q4 2013 Public Service numbers have increased by nearly 30,000. Over 20,000 of those were recruited in the Health and Education sectors. Adjusting for transfers of functions between Departments, both the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills have higher staffing levels now than in 2008. Furthermore there has been a shift from administrative staff to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Road Projects Status (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I refer to the reply by the Taoiseach to PQ 51982 on 5 December last. Under the Fresh Start Agreement concluded in 2015 between the British and Irish Governments and the main political parties in the North, the Irish Government reaffirmed its existing commitment to providing funding of £50 million for the A5 Western Transport Corridor serving the North West and also committed an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service Renewal Plan (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Civil Service Renewal Plan was published on 30 October 2014. The plan forms part of the Government’s wider public service reform programme. The Plan sets out a vision and 3 year action plan to achieve it. It outlines 25 practical actions that will create a more unified, professional, responsive, open and accountable Civil Service that can provide a world-class service to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Public pay and pension restoration by Departments and public bodies has been and will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA): www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Public-Service-Stability-A greement-2013-2018.pdf. and the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA): www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/LRA-extension.pdf. Pay increases under the LRAwere...