Results 22,901-22,920 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: As I mentioned earlier, while the Construction Contracts Act 2013 is not directly relevant in the case of liquidation or receivership, it imposes minimum payment requirements and provides the necessary tools to enforce those payments between the main contractor and the subcontractors and so on down the supply chain. We are carrying out an assessment of all of the public works contracts that...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I accept that the substantial increases in fuel prices we have seen are impacting groups other than hauliers. The Deputy mentioned bus operators and along with them taxi drivers and other groups across society are also being directly impacted. The measure the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, brought forward was specific to hauliers because of the vital role they play in our...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: That is welcome news for Cork. Dublin was part of that announcement as well. I acknowledge the Deputy’s work and advocacy in respect of special needs provision in schools in the Cork area over a prolonged period. I note the recent court decision on the SOP and I will ask the Minister for Education to revert to the Deputy directly with a specific update on that.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: We need a resolution to this issue. It is completely impractical to seek to implement this decision of the House of Commons. The Bill has not yet been finalised. We should be clear on that point. It will continue to be considered at Westminster. The Government will use every avenue available to it to make the case that an exception needs to be made, in effect for people on the island of...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I reiterate that we are concerned about the current trend with Covid. I would make the point, however, that the anchor of Government policy on this issue in the past two years has been the public health advice. The decisions taken a number of weeks ago were made in line with the specific public health advice that we received. We have not received any new advice to make any change to the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: It falls to individuals to make a decision for themselves and to carry out their own risk assessment as to what they think is appropriate. At this point, the Government has not received any public health advice that is contrary to what it received previously.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I agree that the response of the Irish people has been remarkable, although it comes as no surprise to anyone in this House. Work is under way to contact those who made offers of accommodation through the portal, with an initial focus on the vacant properties where own-door accommodation can be provided. The welfare issues that arise in that circumstance are less than where someone has to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I want to say on behalf of the Government that we are anxious that this payment be made as quickly as possible. There was a meeting on Monday this week involving the health sector trade union group as well as the HSE and the Department of Health. A number of issues were discussed there, some of which the Deputy touched on. There will be a further meeting today. We are very anxious to...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I assure Deputy Harkin that this issue is being worked on. We are aware of the fact that the existing transformation payments are due to expire at the end of this year. I am familiar with the previous report that Grant Thornton brought forward about the need for additional support in certain circumstances. The Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, is leading the work on the future...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I am not familiar with the details of that case, I will be honest, but I do appreciate the importance of local social welfare and Intreo offices in communities throughout the country. The Deputy said that he has raised this with the Minister, so I will leave it with her to come back to him directly.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I acknowledge Deputy Conway-Walsh’s personal interest in this issue. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, will come back to her directly on this matter. I am not familiar with the granular detail of this case or the position in respect of bonds or matters of that nature. It is important that there is engagement and discussion on the issue, and I know the Minister will also...

Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2022: First Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: No.

An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht), 2022: An Chéad Chéim - Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2022: First Stage (23 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: No.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Traveller Community (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: My Department has recently received a copy of the Final Report of the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community and is considering in detail the actions that the Committee has proposed to assign to my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that any requests for additional funding supports for specific measures recommended must be considered and addressed by relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: World Economic Forum (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that I have not had any engagement with the World Economic Forum since my appointment as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.  This is also the position with regard to officials of my Department. I have been advised that my predecessor as Minister attended the 2019 meeting of the World Economic Forum which took place in...

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

Michael McGrath: Motor travel rates were last reviewed in 2017 and the current rates are set out in Circular 05/2017: Motor Travel Rates. These rates are currently being reviewed by my officials and work is ongoing on devising new rates reflecting current input costs.  Proposals for revised rates will be discussed, as per existing agreements, with staff representative associations. It is anticipated...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Northern Ireland (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: My Department, along with Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, has Member State responsibility for the 2021-2027 PEACE PLUS programme. As with the current INTERREG VA and PEACE IV EU programmes, the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) will be the Managing Authority for PEACE PLUS.  The SEUPB is a North South Implementation Body under the joint sponsorship of my...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Currently there are no plans to introduce menopause leave in the Civil Service. Whilst there is no leave for menopause, we support women through the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS). The CSEAS recently held a civil service-wide webinar on menopause at work and is in the process of establishing a Menopause in the Workplace working group. With almost 60% of the Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Motor travel rates were last reviewed in 2017 and the current rates are set out in Circular 05/2017: Motor Travel Rates.  See attached.  These rates are currently being reviewed by my officials and work is ongoing on devising new rates reflecting current input costs.  Proposals for revised rates will be discussed, as per existing agreements, with staff representative...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (22 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: There is currently not enough information in the parliamentary question to enable this department to respond. The Deputy may wish contact this department to discuss or alternatively resubmit the question with further clarification to enable an appropriate response to be made.