Results 22,121-22,140 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Communications (21 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: In response to the Deputy's question I am satisfied that my records relating to government or official departmental business are retained in line with the requirements of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Records Management Policy and Procedures of June 2020.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Policies (21 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Ireland's Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018: The Independent Report (Sept 2018) on the implementation of Ireland's Open Government National Action Plan 2016-2018 found substantial progress on commitments 13 and 14. These commitments are now either completed or have a clear pathway to delivery as outlined below: Commitment 13: Develop a Code of Practice for the Governance of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (21 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy is aware, the Housing for All strategy was published by my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on 2nd September 2021. The development of the Housing for All Plan has been closely aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) to ensure the capital funding is identified and committed to the delivery of the social and affordable home measures. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cybersecurity Policy (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I can confirm that my Department’s IT Infrastructure has a breadth of infrastructure monitoring in place and provide a 24/7 service, however for operational security reasons, my Department is not in a position to provide further details of its cyber security systems as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent. Guidance...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: OGP is engaging with its client base in relation to their requirements for cloud services (including collaboration and video conference services) which will inform OGP’s future strategy in relation to potential procurement solutions for cloud services. Any procurement of cloud services will be through public competition advertised on www.etender.ie. Pre-market engagement relating to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together. I wish to advise the Deputy thata central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months, for implementation in Q1 2022. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Appointments (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 sets out procedures relating to the recruitment and appointments for the civil service and certain other bodies in the public service. However as Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, I have responsibility under these acts for recruitment to the Civil Service only as set out by Section 58(1)(a) of the 2004 Act....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2022 (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The National Training Fund and the Social Insurance Fund form part of the General Government sector. As a result, the National Training Fund and Social Insurance Fund expenditures impact the general government expenditure. Similarly, the National Training Fund and Social Insurance Fund receipts are classified as general government revenue. Both revenue and expenditure of the National Training...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget Process (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I have noted the recent report by the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), A Well-being Framework for Ireland – the Parliamentary Perspective. In July 2021, the first report of the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) was published setting out an initial Well-being Framework for Ireland. This initial Framework sets out an overarching vision of “enabling all our people to live...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The revised NDP is currently being finalised and it will set out annual expenditure ceilings for the initial 5 years for each Departmental Vote Group, including capital ceilings for 2022. This document is due to be published in the coming weeks, following final Governmental approval. As part of the Programme for Government the review was brought forward from 2022 in order to assess the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Third Level Staff (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I refer the Deputy to my previous response to PQ32471/21 on 17 June 2021. Officials from my Department engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on multiple policy and operational issues, including consideration of principles for a Higher Education Staffing...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (22 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent recruiter for appointments to the civil service. All recruitment is demand-led and PAS undertakes competitions on behalf of the civil service to establish panels that may be drawn upon as vacancies arise in Government Departments or Offices. Irish speaking candidates may apply for general civil service...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for her question. The position in respect of Covid-19 absences in the public service has not changed since her previous question on the matter, which was answered in January. At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided that special leave with pay would be used for self-isolation or a diagnosis of Covid-19 for public service employees in order to assist with the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: That sounds like a very difficult case. My thoughts are with that lady. It might be helpful for me to put on the record the arrangements for special leave with pay in the context of Covid. Where an employee had been in the work premises outside of home during the 14 days prior to contracting Covid, special leave with pay may be paid, including for long Covid where necessary and for as long...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Long Covid is very serious. It is a condition that the Government takes very seriously. We acknowledge how debilitating it can be for individuals in various circumstances. The truth is that we are learning more and more about it with each passing day. As I have outlined, in certain cases the special leave with pay applies for employees who suffer from long Covid. The particular context...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy very much for her question. I am glad to have this opportunity to provide the House with further details on the upcoming review of the Freedom of Information Act. My Department will shortly publish a roadmap document that will set out in detail the process for the review and give detailed information on how interested stakeholders can get involved. My firm belief is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: We will be consulting closely with the Office of the Information Commissioner on an ongoing basis as the review progresses, given the central role that office plays. As the Deputy knows, I announced the review back in June, before any of the recent controversies arose. I want to be clear to the House that the intention of the review, from my perspective, is to strengthen and improve the FOI...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I certainly would like to get to a point where the need for FOI requests would be reduced and where more information would be more readily available, particularly in the context of personal requests. It cab be quite a cumbersome process to get for people the information that they need. I will be bringing a memorandum to Cabinet - I expect to do so as early as next week - setting out the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputies for submitting these questions. The revised NDP is currently being finalised and it will set out annual expenditure ceilings for the initial five years for each departmental Vote group, including capital ceilings for 2022. This document is due to be published in the coming weeks, following final Governmental approval. Subject to Government approval, it is my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The additional €1.1 billion in capital for 2022 outlined in the summer economic statement will be allocated as part of the capital ceilings that will be published in the review of the NDP. The detail of exactly what the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Health, Transport and so on for next year and for every year out to 2025 will be confirmed when the review is...