Results 22,821-22,840 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 99 together. It is anticipated that the Blended Working Policy Framework will be finalised shortly, following conclusion of the engagement with employee representatives.  Once finalised, the Framework will be rolled out to all civil service organisations and will inform the development of organisational blended working policies which will be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The details requested by the Deputy on salaries and pensions in respect of Special Advisers to Ministers and Ministers of State employed in my Department in 2020 and 2021 will be set out in a table that will be supplied to the Deputy. 2020 Salary and Pension 2021 Salary and Pension Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform Pascal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Officials from the Office of Government Procurement in my Department assisted An Garda Síochána in the procurement process for a new uniform, with An Garda Síochána holding responsibility for developing the specifications based on requirements and intended use.  An Garda Síochána evaluated the tender submissions received, awarded the contract and made all...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In recognition of the challenges that households are facing with rising energy costs we announced a package of measures on 10 February.   The package of measures is intended to be targeted and timely, in order to help with the immediate challenges that households are facing with energy costs. These measures seek to assist households on lower incomes and other families who are facing...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The proportion of Departmental spending on pay and pensions will vary in line with the functions carried out by each Department.  The latest available information on funding in relation to pay and pensions for the years 2017 to 2022 for each Department is set out below.  The information for the years 2017 to 2019 is based on the appropriation account figures for those years which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Semi-State Bodies (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: 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 changes to pension scheme rules or changes to discretionary benefits  with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This includes matters such as pension increase proposals. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 101, 112 and 116 together. Public service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Service Level Agreements (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I do not have any role in the negotiation of service level agreements at HSE level. This is a matter for my colleague, the Minister of Health.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The existing legal framework for public procurement provides considerable opportunity to incorporate environmental, including circular economy, considerations into procurement projects. Under the European Union Procurement Directives, cost may be calculated using Life-Cycle Costing (LCC), which takes into account costs at end-of-life, such as those associated with disposal, as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Measures (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: On 15 February, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022. The General Scheme has been published and referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach for pre-legislative scrutiny. I have instructed my officials to give whatever support the Committee requires in terms of briefing or clarification...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (1 Mar 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In recognition of the challenge that households are facing at the moment, in particular those on low incomes, a suite of measures was announced on February 10th to assist citizens with rising costs of living.  This package sought to balance targeting the main underlying problem of higher energy prices with the need to operate with the fiscal framework set out in the Summer Economic...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Priorities (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 113 together. The Government is aware of the challenge posed to households, particularly those on lower incomes, by the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices.  In recognition of this, a suite of measures was announced on February 10th to mitigate the impact of recent inflation on...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Government Procurement (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In 2019, my Department published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement. This instructs Departments to consider using green criteria in their procurements, and to include green considerations in the planning and reporting cycles. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) fully embraces switching to green procurement. A key...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ethics in Public Office (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 120 together. The Government agreed to my proposals for the Review of the statutory framework for Ethics to which Deputy Farrell's question refers in September 2021. In brief, this Review is examining: - Ireland’s existing ethics legislative framework, - The recommendations of relevant tribunals of inquiry, - Recommendations made by the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (1 Mar 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 Priorities (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In 2020 we saw a fall in prices as a result of the pandemic.  As we emerge from the pandemic and the economy recovers we are faced with a new set of challenges including rising energy prices and transitory supply issues which are causing prices to increase. In this context Budget 2022, included a range of measures to support citizens with the rising cost of living.   The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware the Revised Estimates Volume 2022 provided €16,050,000 (Gross) for the operation of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This allocation was provided following the consideration of a business case received from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in advance of Budget 2022. This allocation represents an increase of some...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Treatment Purchase Fund (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Queries in relation to the National Treatment Purchase Fund are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Health who has policy responsibility in this area. The budgetary allocation for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2022 is €150 million consisting of €100 million of core funding and €50 million in once-off Covid funding. This funding is targeted at...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Priorities (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the Government set out a commitment to developing a set of well-being indices to create a well-rounded, holistic view of how Irish society is fairing.  Once developed, the Government is committed to ensuring that this is used in a systematic way in setting budgetary priorities, as an important complement to existing economic...