Results 21,741-21,760 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts (28 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy in respect of contracts entered into by my Department (including the Office of Government Procurement) and the bodies under its aegis to deal with Covid-19 management and reaction is set out in the table below. In respect of my own Department, it should be noted that some additional Covid-related spending also took...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, have incurred no such costs in the period specified.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. Supplier Name Details of Service Date of Service Cost of Service Cawley Nea Limited Project Ireland 2040 Public Information Campaign – Social Media Updates January 2020 €3,437 Mediavest ltd Glashaboy River Flood...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Transport (28 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not own any vehicles. This is also the case for all of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, with the exception of the Office of Public Works (OPW).  I wish to advise the Deputy that the OPW will issue a deferred reply to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51B.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (29 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: The 2014 Act consolidated and modernised the FOI system in Ireland, brought a large number of additional bodies in to FOI, and has continued to bed in successfully in the intervening years.  The Central Policy Unit for Freedom of Information at my Department continues to monitor the operation of the FOI system, including by regular engagement with the network of FOI Officers throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (29 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: Estimating the cost of FOI for public bodies is something that has proven difficult in all jurisdictions that have attempted it.  A project seeking detailed information on FOI requests processed in the state was commenced in 2016, in terms of the time taken by officials at various grades, however this project was discontinued in early 2017 as it was found to be unduly...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Open Government Partnership (29 Apr 2021)

Michael McGrath: Ireland became a full member of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in July 2014 when the Government adopted Ireland’s first National Action Plan 2014-2016 (developed in tandem with civil society). To date 79 countries have signed the OGP declaration and participate in its processes to advance the principles of transparency, integrity, accountability, and stakeholder...

Presentation of Further Revised Estimates 2021: Motion (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: I move: That, notwithstanding Standing Order 215 of the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business or the Resolution of the Dáil of 16th December, 2020, the following Further Revised Estimates for the Public Services for the year ending 31st December, 2021, be presented to the Dáil and circulated to members on 5th May, 2021, being a date later than that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: I encourage as many people as possible to take up their COVID-19 vaccinations when offered. Where an employee in the public service has an appointment to attend a COVID-19 vaccination during working hours, they will be facilitated to attend based on the health/medical appointment arrangements which apply in each sector. Where there may be a reaction to a COVID-19 vaccination and the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: The issues raised in the correspondence provided by the Deputy relate to PRSI cover as well as pension scheme rules. Firstly, in relation to PRSI class, the Government decided in 1995 that full social welfare cover should be extended to all newly appointed Civil and Public servants and that they should pay the full Class A social insurance contribution. The change was introduced by the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Investigations (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: In reply to the Deputy’s question, I wish to inform the Deputy that no staff in my department have had access to files or email restricted or revoked on the grounds listed in the specified time frame.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Expenditure Report 2021 set out overall expenditure for 2021 of €87.8 billion. In addition to the substantial funding of almost €12 billion for expenditure to respond to Covid-19, Budget 2021 increased overall core expenditure by 7.7%. Taking into account the significant level of funding allocated to Departments for 2021, Government agreed in February that the sectors...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and must comply with relevant EU, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and national legal requirements and obligations. Under EU rules, public contracts above certain values must be advertised EU-wide and awarded in competitive tendering in an open and transparent process. National rules provide for similar processes. The aim of these rules...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Costs (5 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the consultancy and legal fees spend for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is regularly updated and published on gov.ie. In this context, details of this spend since the Department’s establishment in 2011 up to the end of December 2020 can be found at the following link:

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Government Procurement (6 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) provides a broad range of procurement services to public bodies and to bidders for public contracts. These include procurement websites, policy information, and relevant Departmental Circulars, guidance documents, information notes, template documentation, helpdesk services, framework agreements and procurement support services. There are an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2021 (11 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 251, 252 and 254 together. The Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) for 2021 outlined an overall Government Expenditure Ceiling of €87.8 billion. This provided for both an increase in the core expenditure allocations to Departments and for almost €12 billion in funding to respond to Covid-19 and Brexit. During 2021, Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (11 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: I would like to thank Deputy for the question. The Deputy will be aware that a large programme of reform has been under way since the establishment of this Department in 2011. Reform of public services will continue to play an integral role in this Department's function as we recover our economy and society from the ongoing, pervasive impacts of the Covid19 pandemic. The Department is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Cases (11 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: I will not be commenting on any individual cases as requested by the Deputy as it would be inappropriate to do so. In addition, it should be noted that this policy area primarily comes under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In line with the increase in economic activity and the resultant increase in planning applications for large scale...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (11 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: My Department funded two non-governmental organisations in 2020, as set out in the table below. Organisation Funding in 2020 Transparency International Ireland €220,000 Benefacts €950,000 My Department funded Transparency International Ireland in 2020 to support the Department’s role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (11 May 2021)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy for my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, is set out in the table below. Current Number of Staff 2021 Pay Bill (Revised Estimates) Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 456 €33,088,000* Office of Government...