Results 20,701-20,720 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Other Questions: EU Funding (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In the context of the 2013 agreement on the EU multi-annual financial framework which was reached during Ireland's Presidency of the European Council of Ministers, the Government was successful in securing €1.2 billion in cohesion policy funding for the period 2014-20.  This includes two special allocations of €150 million towards a new PEACE programme and...

Other Questions: EU Funding (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There is always a roll-over period. Approximately 90% of the funding for the last period which concluded last year has been drawn down. We will draw down every cent, but final documentation in that regard has yet to be completed. There is always an overlap in this regard. On the indicative draw-down, the following is the expected draw-down by region. In 2015 the draw-down for the...

Other Questions: EU Funding (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I am dealing with the regional development funds here and the Deputy has referred to a fund that is not under my purview but under that of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Other Questions: EU Funding (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, there is an overlap in that regard. However, the overall cohesion money is being increased and the overall spend in Ireland will be higher. Although the Border, midland and western region is now a developed area in the European aggregate, the Government managed to get an additional €100 million for it. I will get a specific response for the Deputy on a point that is not...

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Deputy for the question and for his kind remarks. The Government faced the challenge of restoring stability to the public finances and creating the correct environment to support sustainable economic growth and job creation. Gross voted expenditure has been reduced from €63.1 billion in 2009 to €54 billion last year. While implementing these expenditure...

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I would not classify the policies as frugal but as disciplined.

Other Questions: Economic Policy (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, certainly. The Government began with a slightly expansionary budget last year after a period of seven years of contraction. It was able to add additional spending in priority areas, most noticeably in the areas of health and education. Public service recruitment has started again and as I have stated, there was a gross increase in the number of public servants last year for the first...

Other Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, the programme of State asset disposals agreed by the Government in February 2012 included, inter alia, the disposal of the State's remaining shareholding in Aer Lingus. However, I made it clear at that time that a disposal of the Aer Lingus shareholding could only take place when market conditions were favourable and in circumstances that accorded with Government...

Other Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The State owns a minority of the shares in Aer Lingus. I am afraid the decision concerning a majority of the shares being disposed of by the State was made many years ago, so we do not control the bulk of the shares. We have to consider that another sizeable shareholding may come onto the market shortly, depending on the outcome of legal proceedings in the United Kingdom. We must have...

Other Questions: Aer Lingus Sale (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will reiterate what I said previously, which is that we have a minority shareholding. The Deputy is overemphasising the influence of a 25% shareholding, if she thinks that is a controlling influence on anything; it is not. That decision was made some years ago. We have to think of the strategic interests of the country, including connectivity, business, tourism and the future of the Aer...

Other Questions: Coastal Protection (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The primary objective of Government policy on coastal protection is to ensure that in areas identified as being at greatest risk of damage or loss to economic assets through coastal erosion or flooding, appropriate and sustainable measures are identified by local authorities to protect those assets. Where intervention measures are economically justified on cost-benefit grounds and compatible...

Other Questions: Coastal Protection (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I hear what the Deputy is saying, loud and clear, and there is a lot of merit in his suggestion. In the context of the new capital programme I am working on, I am conscious that there are a number of overarching issues. One of them will be how to address climate change in future, not only concerning coastal flooding and storm damage but also protecting communities that are prone to flooding...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The  Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) underpinned by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts 2009-2013, forms the cornerstone of pay policy in the public service 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 is making a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I announced at Budget time in October that the Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Civil and Public Service would be brought to an end in 2015.  In its place will be a new arrangement that gives Departments delegated sanction for the management of staff numbers, including recruitment.  My Department is currently engaging with all other Departments to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The terms, conditions and pay rates for public servants have traditionally been determined through collective bargaining processes with due regard to statutory provisions including the National Minimum Wage Act.  It is also worth noting, in the context of low pay, that one of the first actions of this Government on taking office was to restore the Minimum Wage rate to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Data (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the CSO survey data which he refers to captures information on employment levels across the entirety of the Public Sector, which for the CSO includes the commercial semi-state sector - such as the ESB, RTE and Dublin Airport - as well as in the Civil and Public Service.  My Department collates data on actual numbers...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I announced at Budget time in October that the Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Civil and Public Service would be brought to an end in 2015.  In its place will be a new arrangement that gives Departments delegated sanction for the management of staff numbers, including recruitment.  My Department is currently engaging with all other Departments to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Retirements (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Regarding early retirement, in May 2009, the Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) allowed public servants of 50 years of age and older to retire early and receive an immediate pension based on their service to date.  10% of the retirement lump sum was paid at departure, with the 90% balance payable on reaching preserved pension age. The normal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. It would be a breach of the EU rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds such as nationality, organisational size, etc. and there are legal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (25 Mar 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Haddington Road Agreement forms the cornerstone of pay policy in the public service 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 is making a significant contribution to the achievement of the Government's fiscal consolidation deficit target of below 3% GDP.  The ongoing...