Results 23,121-23,140 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: There have been significant and sustained increases in the prices of a broad range of commonly used materials in the construction sector throughout 2021 in the aftermath of the pandemic.  Energy prices also showed marked increases in 2021 and have further escalated in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.   I introduced a series of measures in January in response to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Information and Communications Technology (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: Digital transformation in the public service means redesigning and rebuilding government processes and services, if necessary across organisations, and using digitalisation and data to provide an integrated experience for our people, businesses and policy makers.  I am pleased to say that significant progress has been made in recent years in transforming the delivery of public services....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I have not received any application for funding in relation to Clare County Council from either the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government or the Department of Transport. This is a matter for the two Departments.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery (28 Apr 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 is a robust and transparent processes for its allocation.  I have accordingly commissioned an external review of the process for allocation of lottery funding,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Information and Communications Technology (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: Connecting Government 2030 is the new Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service, which I was delighted to launch in early March along with Minister McGrath.  Our aim with this strategy is to provide better public services for individuals and businesses and to make services as seamless, user-friendly and accessible as possible. The strategy will enable us create...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I want to acknowledge the contribution made by people across our society to the response to the COVID pandemic over the last two years.  Their continued contribution is key to enable us to navigate our way through the various challenges the pandemic has presented. Government was keen to acknowledge these contributions. Collaboration and solidarity have been hallmarks of our national...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for his question. A range of budgetary reforms have been put in place in recent years, to drive spending efficiency and effectiveness. It is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister to manage expenditure within their respective allocations and careful monitoring of spending against profile and of progress on programmes and projects is required. Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: Project Ireland 2040 sets out the Government's overarching vision for the provision of infrastructure in order to better cater for the needs of the State’s existing population and to accommodate projected population increases in a balanced and sustainable way.  Project Ireland 2040 includes the National Planning Framework (NPF), which sets the overarching spatial strategy for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that under the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, there is a commitment to continuing reform. The Programme outlines that reform to public services, among other areas, is an integral part of this government’s core missions. This is reflected in my Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 which sets out driving reform and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s mission as laid out in the Statement of Strategy 2021- 2023 is to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure and by leading and enabling reform across the Civil and Public Service. To date a number of strategies have been published to carry out the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Wage-setting Mechanisms (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: The commitment to public service reform has and will always be a key feature of public service agreements. All public service Agreements, beginning with the Croke Park Agreement in 2010 have included measures to reform and modernise public services. The Covid-19 pandemic saw an unprecedented display of commitment, flexibility hard work and agility in service provisions across the range civil...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together. Under EU law, public contracts above a certain value must be advertised EU-wide and awarded to the most competitive tender in an open and objective process to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money.   All Irish public bodies are obliged to spend...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for his question. In view of the significant and pervasive impacts experienced as a consequence of the Covid-19 crisis, the Government's programme of reform and modernisation is particularly relevant as we seek to return our economy and society to full recovery. With respect to best practice in reform, in accordance with my Department's Statement of Strategy, officials...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: As part of Project Ireland 2040 (PI2040), the National Development Plan 2021-30 (NDP), published on 4thOctober 2021, sets out the Government’s over-arching investment framework and broad direction for investment priorities for this decade. As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Transport (28 Apr 2022)

Michael McGrath: In response to the Deputy's question my department has no role in relation to this matter. As you may be aware, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the management of the Garda fleet and all decisions related to the needs of the fleet.

Estimates for Public Services 2022 (4 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 27—International Co-operation (Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €603,902,000 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 certain Official Development Assistance, including certain grants, and for contributions to certain International...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Pensions (4 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will appreciate detailed matters in relation to Garda pensions are in the first instance the responsibility of the Minister for Justice. However, in broad terms, I can outline the policy reforms introduced in 1995 for public service pensions and how this affects pension entitlements. In 1995, the Government decided that full social welfare cover should be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery (4 May 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.  My Department has no direct involvement in the allocation of National Lottery Good Causes funding. As set out in section 41 of the National Lottery Act, 2013 the National Lottery Regulator transfers moneys from the National Lottery Fund...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Gender Proofing of Policies (4 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Equality Budgeting and Well-being Budgeting initiatives are part of the ongoing development of Ireland’s performance framework that also includes the Performance Budgeting and Green Budgeting initiatives, the ongoing development of the Public Spending Code, the Establishment of the Irish Government Economic & Evaluation Service and the Spending Review process.   ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (4 May 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will appreciate, many workers went above and beyond over the course of the last two years very challenging years. Their continued contribution has been essential to getting us through this difficult time. After careful consideration, the Government made decisions earlier this year in relation to recognition of these efforts.  A national day of recognition and...