Results 21,141-21,160 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement: Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (8 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Chairman.

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Budget Statement 2021 (13 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: The backdrop for budget 2021 is a truly remarkable one. INTRODUCTION At the same time, our country and our people are confronted with a once-in-a-century global pandemic and a generational shift in our relationship with our nearest neighbour, the United Kingdom. Covid-19 has changed completely the way we live our lives. While the damage to our economy has been immense, the ultimate...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Services Provision (14 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: There has been a significant increase in the number of MyGovID accounts since the 28th of March 2020. MyGovID has seen a 38% increase in the number of basic accounts and a 51% increase in the number of verified accounts over this period, the full details of which are set out below. MyGovID Statistics on 28th March 2020 - Basic Accounts: 1,010,622 - Verified Accounts: 545,571 MyGovID...

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This is my first address to the House and I am delighted to have the opportunity to come to the House to say a few words about budget 2021. I will engage with Senators on the different issues they may wish to raise. In framing the budget, the Government has been faced with a level of uncertainty without precedent in modern times. We continue to live with the...

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I have until 4.15 p.m. Is that correct?

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I thank all the Senators for their contributions. I listened to them carefully. Many issues have been raised and different perspectives have been shared. It is important to say that this budget is from a coalition Government of three parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. All have had significant input. We have worked well collaboratively in the preparation of this...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: Where an employee is going to be absent from work due to a medical procedure their employer will advise them about the arrangements that apply in their own case as these may differ depending on the specific circumstances. In general terms, if it is determined by a medical professional that a public servant must travel abroad for what is deemed to be an essential health procedure, normal sick...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commissioner for Environmental Information (15 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: The recovery of costs in respect of matters before the Commissioner for Environmental Information is governed by the special costs rules, as provided for in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001. Section 3(1) of the 2011 Act provides that, in certain environmental cases including proceedings concerning the AIE Regulations, the general rule is that each party must bear its own...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Magdalen Laundries (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: My Department is currently working to finalise guidelines on foot of the Ombudsman's report referred to by the Deputy. The intention is that these guidelines, while not addressing any one particular issue or circumstance, will support any Department which has to consider whether the establishment of a scheme for redress might be appropriate. My Department has engaged with a number of other...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Funding (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: In May 2018 the European Commission included a special new cross-border EU funding programme, PEACE PLUS, in its proposals for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and EU Cohesion policy for the 2021-27 period. The proposal for this special new programme demonstrates the importance placed by the EU and by the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom on the strengthening of peace and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Carbon Tax Yield (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I refer the Deputy to the publication on budget.gov.ie of the document "The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2021". This document describes the revenue that is expected to be raised by the increased carbon tax in 2021 and the allocation of these sums to particular spending programmes. In summary, the sum of the revenues raised by the continuation of the €6 carbon tax increase announced in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Offices (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has one room in its offices in both St. Stephen’s Green House and in Tullamore where dedicated space is provided for breastfeeding and / or expressing breast milk. My Department does not provide such dedicated spaces in its other office locations. In line with Government policy, breastfeeding employees of my Department are entitled to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Equality Proofing of Budgets (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: Built on the performance budgeting framework that has been progressively embedded into the budget cycle, Equality Budgeting in Ireland has been developed over recent years with a view to enhancing the role of resource allocation policies in advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 also contains a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (21 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: Government Departments and Offices have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health requirements by introducing new measures of flexibility in working arrangements. Civil Service Departments and Offices have been advised by my Department, as standard practice across the public service during COVID-19, to consider all forms of flexible working...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Criminal Assets Bureau (21 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: The Criminal Assets Bureau is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Criminal Assets Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. In accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996-2016, all funds collected by the Criminal...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (22 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 28 — Foreign Affairs (Further Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €225,444,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and for certain services administered by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commissioner for Environmental Information (22 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I am informed by the Commissioner for Environmental Information that costs have not been sought in this matter having regard to the special costs rules, as provided for in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011.  Section 3(1) of the 2011 Act provides that, in certain environmental cases including proceedings concerning the AIE Regulations, the general rule is that each...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Remuneration (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 472 together. The reduced new entrant pay scales for civil and public servants introduced in 2011 were abolished in 2013 under the Haddington Road Agreement, where it was agreed to merge the new scales and existing scales - typically by adding the lower two points of the new scale to the existing scale. As such there are no separate reduced pay scales...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Charities Regulation (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: Under the 2011 Comprehensive Review of Expenditure, the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform produced a paper titled "CEEU Cross-Cutting Paper No.1 Rationalising Multiple Sources of Funding to Not-for-Profit Sector." (Copy supplied.) Acton 4.2 of The Department of Rural and Community Development's strategy to support the community and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Semi-State Bodies (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: I do not have primary Ministerial responsibility for any of the commercial Semi State bodies. Under the various scheme rules, in the first instance, it is a matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual commercial semi State Bodies falls to consider and approve any pension increase sought, with the consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure and...