Results 21,981-22,000 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The issue of retirement age will become a more significant issue as the age of eligibility for the State Pension increases in the coming years, to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. We need a policy framework to support longer working lives. We face challenging demographic related expenditure challenges in the coming years: the numbers aged 65 and over are set to increase from 570,000 in 2013 to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Public Service Reform is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for recovery.  Led by my Department, the reforms delivered over the past five years have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of the necessary reduction in staff numbers and budgets, while meeting increased demand for many services.  Importantly, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Services Provision (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Following a period of retrenchment, staffing levels in the Public Service are increasing, and have been since December 2013.   Latest data shows that public service staff numbers increased by just under 5,000 in the first nine months of 2015, on foot of the 2015 Budget decisions, which also included a removal of the Moratorium on Public Service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Living Wage (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The most recent aggregate data (based on pay bands) available to the Department indicates that some 93% of all public service staff are on salary points in excess of €25,000 per annum. The suggested wage at €11.50 per hour based on the Civil Service 37 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of € 22,203. Data based on Civil Service staff...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that the Deputy is interested in Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan which aims to improve mobility arrangements in the civil and public service. Under the Civil Service Plan, my Department in conjunction with the Civil Service Management Board is examining ways to improve mobility.   As the Deputy will be aware there are currently no...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Services Investment (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Comparison of investment in public services relative to the rest of the European Union needs to take into account the profound impact the economic crisis had on the public finances. The fiscal adjustment implemented in order that Ireland could successfully exit the troika programme and return sustainability to our public finances required significant expenditure reductions and tax increases....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Projects (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I announced the Government's Capital Plan on 29 September 2015 which outlined exchequer capital spending of €27 billion over the next six years. As the Deputy will be aware a range of projects and initiatives in County Wexford have been funded by the Government through the relevant line departments.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Promotions (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I can confirm that five Clerical Officers were promoted to Higher Executive Officer in my Department, from a confined competition, since the eligibility criteria changed.  There have not been any Executive Officers promoted to Assistant Principal Officer from confined competitions. All promotion competitions in my Department are carried out in accordance with the Commission for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware unions representing CE Supervisors and Assistant Supervisors have sought the provision of Exchequer funding to implement a Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme dating back to 2008. However the position has remained that it is not possible for the State to provide funding for such a scheme to employees of private companies,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget Targets (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188 and 191 to 196, inclusive, together. My Department has played a key role in ensuring Ireland met or exceeded its key fiscal targets in each year of the EU/IMF programme of financial support resulting in a successful exit from the programme in December 2013. Furthermore, Ireland is on track to exit the corrective arm of the Stability...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The key issue faced by the Government in seeking to deliver infrastructural projects continues to be the fiscal space available to Government under the fiscal rules of the Stability and Growth, which impacts on the Government's ability to increase expenditure, including on capital projects. Any funding that would be raised through the issuing of new Government Bonds, as suggested in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (19 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Public Service Reform was a key element of the Government's response to the crisis and continues to be an essential part of our strategy for recovery. The reforms we have implemented over the past five years have enabled us to maintain and improve public services in the face of necessary reductions in staff numbers and budgets, and at a time of increased demand for public services. Following...

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Order for Second Stage (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That the Bill be taken now."

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The purpose of the Public Sector Standards Bill 2015 is to provide a robust and effective framework for identifying, disclosing and managing conflicts of interest, as well as providing for a streamlined and consistent approach to ethics legislation across the public sector. It will ensure Ireland’s disclosure and conflict of interest...

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Obviously, it is slightly awkward to split up a speech on what I regard as one of the most important pieces of legislation I have had the privilege to introduce to this House in my five years as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. As I indicated previously, the Public Sector Standards Bill is a new, robust and positive framework for identifying, disclosing and managing conflicts...

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The roles might be reversed.

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Do you have to submit it if you are not elected or just when you are elected?

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I read you are a shoo-in in any event.

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: That was constitutional.

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: There are legal services or all.