Results 20,621-20,640 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: By-election Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There have been six bye-elections to the current Dáil which are listed in the table below together with the estimated costs, where available. Three of the bye-elections were held on the same day as another election event in that constituency and, therefore, the bye-election costs reflect savings from a sharing of people and facilities. There were also savings in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I can confirm that there have been no severance packages received by any special advisers in my Department since January 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Valuation Office (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and the carrying out of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative. The Act does not accord me as Minister any function in this regard.  There are two provisions in the legislation governing the assessment of valuations which result in the issue of valuation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ombudsman's Remit (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 extends the Ombudsman's remit to all public bodies which conform to the definition of public bodies as set out in Part 1 of the First Schedule to the Act, except for those which are specifically exempt in whole or in part.  The administrative actions of some 180 additional...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: PeoplePoint is the HR and Pensions Administration Shared Service for the Civil Service. It was established in March 2013 and currently provides services to employees across 21 Civil Service organisations. Once all remaining in-scope organisations transition, PeoplePoint will provide services across 38 organisations. PeoplePoint began calculating retirement benefits and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I launched the Civil Service Renewal Plan along with the Taoiseach on 30 October last.  The Plan 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 State and to the people of Ireland.  Work has commenced on the implementation of the Plan which is being overseen by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Recruitment (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Positions for the Category Specialist Higher Open competition, which was run by the Public Appointments Service are location specific and are awarded by order of merit. I understand that the individual concerned has been in contact with the HR Unit in my Department and any further queries in relation to this matter should be followed up by the individual with them accordingly.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Remit (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Section 1(3)(b) of the FOI Act 2014 provides that in respect of a body that was not subject to FOI under the 1997 Act but is subject to FOI under the new Act, the Act will come into operation 6 months following enactment or on such later date, not later than 12 months from enactment, as the Minister may by order appoint.  The FOI Bill was enacted on 14 October 2014.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Sick Leave (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Under the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, which came into effect for the generality of the Public Service on 31st March 2014 and for the Education Sector on 1 September 2014, public servants have access to the following paid sick leave: - a maximum of 92 days (3 months) on full pay in a rolling one year period; - followed by a maximum of 91 days (3 months) on...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Costs (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that my Department availed of the services of Arthur Cox Solicitors amounting to €14,203.55 in 2011, £4,800.00 in 2012 and €6,150.00 in 2013. There were no payments made to this firm in 2014 and all contracts were closed in the same year the services were provided. Similarly, my Department availed of the services of McCann...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Climate Change Policy (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: At the outset I would like to clarify for the Deputy that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department on climate policy.  The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government advise that Ireland is on course to comply with the annual mitigation (emissions reduction) targets under the 2009 EU...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Sale of Aer Lingus (3 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: One key consideration in any decision about the use of the proceeds from the sale of State assets is the potential impact on the General Government Balance, which is calculated in accordance with Eurostat rules on General Government accounting. Under these rules, cash received by the Exchequer from the sale of State assets is classified as either a financial transaction or a...

Other Questions: Water Charges Administration (4 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: He has a megaphone for that.

Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: From the Seanad (4 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 are minor technical amendments. Amendment No. 1 provides clarity around the provision in section 12(4)(f) and adds after the word "been" the words "(whether before or after the passing of this Act)". The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel advised that in order to clarify that this provision applies to whether the person was a designated public official before or...

Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: From the Seanad (4 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I made this amendment at the request of the Standards in Public Office Commission. The Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 provides the commission with authority to delegate its function to staff of the commission. The commission itself is strongly of the view that to avoid any possibility of future legal challenges, the question of its powers of delegation should be put beyond doubt by the...

Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014: From the Seanad (4 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will clarify that with the Standards in Public Office Commission directly but our understanding is that it would be a formal delegation.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Appointments to State Boards (4 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no senior civil servants who have retired in my Department since 2011 have been appointed to a State Board under my aegis following their retirement.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Sector Allowances Payments (4 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Rent Allowance was discontinued for all new beneficiaries from 31 January 2012 and there are no plans to reinstate this allowance.

Leaders' Questions (5 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Higgins does not believe in government.

Order of Business (5 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: This is a speech.