Results 22,761-22,780 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the IDG report on offline services for post offices. I am aware of the work of the IDG and I discussed it recently with the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, as well as with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys. I expect the Minister of State will publish the report shortly. I do not believe it will provide an immediate quick-fix solution to the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: The allocation from the URDF to Carlow town was particularly welcome. What I am hearing from the Deputy is a frustration about the process and the time it is taking to advance it. Perhaps it is an issue about which we can have a direct discussion. I would be happy to take this up with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to see what we can do to bring about a faster...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Higgins for raising this issue, which I know is so important for so many pregnant women all over the country. I am aware the matter has been raised with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, on a number of occasions. He and his officials in the Department have been working with the HSE to bring about a solution. I believe he is optimistic a solution can be implemented. I...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I acknowledge there is an issue here that needs to be addressed. The Deputy referred to the work that has been ongoing for some time now, but that is being intensified. The Department of Health and the HSE have invited the Irish Dental Association to further consultations beginning on 28 February and are currently awaiting a response. As the Deputy knows, the Department of Health in recent...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Ó Murchú. I am not familiar with the specific development in question. The Deputy referred to the group heating scheme and the role of the CRU. I suggest the issue might be taken up with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, in the context of housing.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill. What I can confirm is we as a Government, in the course of the Estimates process for the previous two budgets, have significantly increased the level of resources for special education services across our education system, as is right and proper, including further increases in the number of special needs assistants, SNAs, much-needed increases in the number...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Smith for raising what is a very important issue for so many school secretaries and caretakers throughout the country. As she knows, there is to be a further hearing of the WRC on Thursday of this week. There have been intensive discussions in the lead-up to that. There was a WRC hearing last September at which much progress was made on a public service pay scale, with the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Collins. Fair play to him for managing to mention very many of the coastal communities of Cork South-West in his contribution. I will raise the issue he brought up today with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and he will revert to the Deputy directly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Cahill. Again, I very much welcome the Supreme Court decision on the Glanbia plant. It is very good news for the region, farmers and country. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly with an update on the Banagher meat plant in County Offaly.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which is a serious one for the people who are impacted. Those who qualify for a driving licence should have access to one in a timely manner within a reasonable period of time. It is important that there is good quality customer service in all of our State organisations and across the wider public sector. I will ask the Minister for Transport to...

Estimates for Public Services 2022 (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 1 — President's Establishment (Revised Estimate)That a sum not exceeding €4,750,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2022, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Secretary General to the President, for certain other expenses of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Supports (17 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Brexit Adjustment Reserve aims to provide financial support to the most affected Member States, regions and sectors to deal with the adverse consequence of Brexit.  Expenditure under the Reserve must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Ireland will be the largest beneficiary of the Reserve with an allocation of over €1...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (17 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I do not have primary Ministerial responsibility for any of the Commercial Semi State Bodies (CSSBs). It is usually a matter for the Government Department under whose aegis responsibility for individual CSSBs falls to consider and propose, as appropriate, any changes to pension scheme rules together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: Funding raised by the National Lottery plays a very important role in supporting a range of good causes at national, regional and community level. In order to sustain this funding into the future I consider it important that there be robust and transparent processes for its allocation. Accordingly in 2021, I commissioned an external review of the process for allocation of lottery...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. I am advised that the Office of the National Lottery Regulator currently has no staff members that were recruited before 6thApril 1995. - Number of staff currently employed Number of current staff recruited before 6th April 1995 Office of Public Works 853 ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has provided grant funding to Benefacts since 2015. The project was funded as a pathfinder initiative in the area of data analytics on the non-profit sector. Benefacts was initially co-funded with philanthropy, however in recent years the Department has been providing the majority of funding to the entity. In 2019, DPER received an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Voluntary Sector (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: The requirements for the management of grant funding provided from public monies is governed by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This circular focuses on transparency, accountability and value for money and details the responsibilities of those issuing and receiving grants. The financial...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Advertising (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 301 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that since 1stJanuary 2013 my Department has made one payment to the named publication. The details and the purpose of this payment by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is part of my Department, is set out in the following table. I wish to also confirm to the Deputy that my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Staff (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware from my appearance before the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach on 2 February last, certain Civilian Drivers have been replaced with Garda officers following a security review recommendation from the Garda Commissioner to the Minister for Justice. I have given careful consideration to the unique situation that now arises for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Communications (22 Feb 2022)

Michael McGrath: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that WhatsApp is installed on my departmental phone. I do not use the application for official purposes nor have I activated the disappearing messages setting.