Results 23,241-23,260 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (16 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform does not interfere in the policy decisions made by line Departments, in this case the Department of Health and the HSE. When it comes to improving facilities and delivering new infrastructure, such decisions are made by them. What we insist on is that the PSC and the approval process be conducted properly and fully complied with. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (16 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I am acutely aware of the increases in inflation in recent months and the challenges faced by households, particularly in terms of energy costs. That is why a package of measures was announced by the Government this year dealing with the energy costs challenges faced by households. The Deputy has raised the specific issue of pension increases. As he may be aware, the most recent guidance...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (16 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: In recent years, because we have been going through a process of unwinding the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, there was an issue that impacted on a large number of public service workers. The salary of a serving public service employee had to reach the level of the salary which formed the basis of the pension for the pensioner who was in payment. Until these had...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pensions (16 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: In the case of the commercial State bodies, what generally happens is an assessment is carried out by the line Department. It has to have regard to the scheme trustees and make sure the benefits are protected for all the members. It will then make a recommendation. In some instances, the recommendation will come to my Department for approval and sign-off. I make sure those issues are...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: 401. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 82 of 11 May 2022, if he will provide the correct contact details for an organisation (details supplied) in relation to insurance issues for thatched roof properties given that the email address provided is not in operation; the further immediate steps that those facing difficulties obtaining insurance can take given...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ukraine War (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The EU has introduced a range of flexibilities to address the impact of the influx of Ukrainian refugees including a regulation on Cohesion Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) allowing for the swift release and reallocation of existing cohesion policy funding. In addition, Ireland receives existing funding under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to support migrant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Interest Rates (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The details of the negative interest charged to bodies under the aegis of my Department by financial institutions in the period specified are set out in the tables below. - 2014 2015 2016 2017 Office of Public Works* (OPW) €14,522 €46,689 €38,012 €108 * The OPW...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no former Secretaries General seconded from my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cost of Living Issues (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: Budget 2022 set out a €1.2 billion package of expenditure measures to support citizens across a range of sectors with cost of living pressures. Some headline measures include increases in social protection payments, Fuel Allowance and Working Family Payment; health affordability measures; social and affordable housing funding, and enhanced student and childcare supports. Budget 2022...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy will be aware that the matters covered by her question are part of an ongoing industrial relations process at the WRC. The Commission has recently provided an update to members on the pay claim lodged by SIPTU on behalf of staff employed under the Scheme for Secretarial Assistance for Members. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Services has provided the estimates below in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The following table lists the estimated annual savings from reducing the additional non-Oireachtas salaries of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers and Ministers of State by 50%. - Taoiseach Tánaiste Minister Minister of State Allowance for three specified Ministers of State who regularly attend meetings of Government ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I refer the Deputy to Circular 04 of 2022, which is published on the Government website (address below), which outlines the current pay rates for a post at Secretary General Level III. www.gov.ie/en/circular/ef515-application-of-1st-february-202 2-pay-adjustments/. The rate of Employer's PRSI is dependent on a number of factors, including the appointee's date of entry to the public service....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Data (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Government has no plans at this point to establish an ombudsman for older persons. However, it would fall to the relevant Minister with responsibility for policy regarding older persons to consider and to bring forward such a proposal, and to determine any associated costs in the first instance. I would also like to highlight to the Deputy that older persons are entitled to use the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Arts Council (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will appreciate, issues involving the pension schemes in relation to the Commercial Semi State companies can be complex. As the key stakeholders involved in considering these proposals, the parent Department along with the relevant scheme trustees and the scheme employer all play an important role in ensuring that the full impact of pension increases on the sustainability of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The authorities responsible for the administration of the large number of pension schemes operating in the various sectors of the Irish public service are, in general, the relevant employers and Ministers in those sectors. It would be a matter for those sectoral authorities, including relevant Ministers, to supply such information as may be available in respect of wider public service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Spending Code (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: My Department is responsible for maintaining the national frameworks within which Departments operate to ensure appropriate accounting for and value for money in public expenditure such as the Public Spending Code (PSC). The Public Spending Code sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing capital projects. Management and delivery of investment...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Statutory Instruments (14 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will appreciate, issues involving the pension schemes in relation to the Commercial Semi State companies can be complex. As the key stakeholders involved in considering these proposals, the parent Department along with the relevant scheme trustees and the scheme employer all play an important role in ensuring that the full impact of pension changes on the sustainability of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service (15 Jun 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. The 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 that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Staff (15 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware on the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues Government-approved Guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices.   The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister, subject to the terms of the aforementioned Guidelines, although the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ukraine War (15 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Stability Programme Update, published in April 2022, set out a contingency provision of €3 billion for Ukraine humanitarian supports for 2023. At the time, an estimated 4½ million people had fled Ukraine, with the majority arriving in European Union Member States. This prudent provision is included to address the crisis while not impacting on the Core...