Results 20,661-20,680 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (11 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Waterways Ireland, like the other North South Implementation Bodies including Tourism Ireland, operates the North South Pension Scheme.  It is useful to make clear that the North South Pension Scheme, which is modelled on the Northern Ireland Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, was established to operate in both jurisdictions.   As such this...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Training (12 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy may wish to note that the development of an overarching strategy for training across the civil service, including language training, is a key action under the Civil Service Renewal Plan and as such is a key priority for my Department. The Plan includes a commitment to establish a new shared model for delivering learning and development. As part of this action it is intended to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Economic Policy (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In recent years this Government has implemented a programme of reforms to improve the State's budgetary architecture and to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the allocation and spending of public money.  Key elements of these reforms include the introduction of multi-annual expenditure ceilings, regular comprehensive reviews of public expenditure, and the performance...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I refer to my reply on the 18 February 2015 to Parliamentary Question Number 7341. The position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I would refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of the 11th March 2015 which sets out the background to the proposed changes to the pension scheme and pension contributions for staff in North South bodies including Waterways Ireland. Pension levies to private companies do not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Requests (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Under the provisions of Freedom of Information legislation, the decision-making and internal review functions of requests processed within my Department are formally delegated to departmental officials at Assistant Principal Officer and Principal Officer level and their decisions on Freedom of Information requests are binding. The Secretary General of my Department has no role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts Data (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The exact level of expenditure that relates to public procurement for 2014 is not as yet available. However, based on previous years the State spends approximately €12 billion per annum on the procurement of goods, works and services.  More exact data will be available shortly. It is not part of my Department's remit to monitor the implementation of employment...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There is one remaining vacancy on the interim board of the Office of Public Procurement that is to be filled by the appointment of a suitably qualified and experienced external person. Applications for this position were sought through the Public Appointments Service and I am considering an appointment. The following areas of expertise were indicated as being of particular interest for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (24 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I have welcomed the formation of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants (ARPS) and have met with representatives of that body on a number of occasions. I am aware of the concerns raised regarding the imposition of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) and the application of the Universal Social Charge (USC) to pensions. I have indicated to ARPS that it is my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Data (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: A full list detailing all of the individual requests for additional staff received from every Department since the beginning of last year will be forwarded to the Deputy directly. This information will reflect positions taken under the moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Civil Service and the public service which was introduced in 2009 as an emergency response to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Data (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I have it and can pass it over. It is extremely long.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Data (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It will be e-mailed to the Deputy directly.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Data (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will not deny the pressure we have kept on reducing staff numbers has had an impact, but the contribution made by the reduction in the overall public pay bill was a critical contributor to the economic improvement we can see, particularly in the ESRI's report published today. I will send the Deputy two very long tables. Most requests are granted because Departments know what will make it...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Data (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The ethos I have tried to bring in in the past four years is that when there is a pressure point, it is not always about a need for more resources but for proper analysis of how we deploy the resources we have available. The Deputy mentioned An Garda Síochána. The Garda Inspectorate has conducted a comprehensive review which has showed up some shocking things and major reform of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The  Haddington Road agreement, underpinned by the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation, forms the cornerstone of public pay policy until 2016 when it is due to expire. The agreement which contains a number of measures directly affecting the pay of staff is delivering and making a significant contribution to the achievement of the Government's...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy asked a number of important questions. On whether a public pay deal is certain, the answer is certainly not. The Haddington Road agreement was far from certain and, as the Deputy knows, its first iteration was rejected and we had to go again. I hope I can secure an agreement and that we can have an organised approach to restoring pay to the public service. Those working in it...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: That is what I hope to do.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In respect of those earning over €65,000, we will implement the Haddington Road agreement in full. Part of the agreement is the winding back of some of the pay reductions during the course of 2016 and 2017, and into 2018, if I recall. We will be faithful to the agreement we have, as the trade union and public service sides have been faithful to it in terms of delivering on their...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Bodies (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, State bodies, Semi-state bodies and State agencies under the remit of my Department is two. In the case of the Public Appointments Service, the chairperson is paid €11,970 per annum.  Currently, the only expenses paid are to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Bodies (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will answer.