Results 23,361-23,380 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. As I said earlier, the Department of Transport has a funding commitment of €30 billion out to 2030 in the national development plan, NDP. We have a provision within the programme for Government for a 2:1 ratio in terms of new investment in favour of public transport infrastructure-----

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: -----relative to new road infrastructure. That still provides very significant funding for investment in new road infrastructure, including upgrades of existing primary and secondary national roads. I will look into the issue the Deputy raised and ask the Minister to respond to him.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this. I absolutely recognise the value of developmental check-ups for children. As the Deputy said, it provides peace of mind in the vast majority of instances, but also, where there is an issue, early detection and warning is vital when it comes to intervening and making a difference. I do not know the detail of the area and the case the Deputy raised. I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I recognise the value in having a visible Garda presence in communities. I am sure that is something that the Deputy and her constituents are seeking in Carlow as well. In the last budget, we provided funding for the recruitment of 800 additional gardaí. There is a recruitment campaign currently under way. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I do not have a date to hand, but I will ask the Minister, Deputy Darragh O’Brien, to confirm that date. I am sure his Department will be in touch with local authorities about operationalising that decision, which was a very positive one. It reflects the market reality that is present at this time.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I fully agree with the Deputy about the incredible role our carers play. We can never properly recognise the work they do. In the previous budget, we did make the first changes in the means test in about 14 years, which was a step forward. All of this will be considered in the lead-up to the budget. Of course, there are issues arising from the Pensions Commission that are directly...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: My understanding is the planning regulator makes recommendations to the Minister, who considers those recommendations and makes a determination. It is fair to say the views of the Office of the Planning Regulator would be a very important consideration for the Minister in making the final decision but, as I understand it, it is a final decision for the Minister.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I acknowledge this is an issue Deputy Smith has consistently raised, and I recall our meeting with local authority members for the Cavan-Monaghan area last year. It is also the case that, given the current cost of resurfacing works and with bitumen, an oil-based product, being particularly expensive, the work we did in reforming the public works contract, including in respect of energy, will...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Naughten for raising this issue, which I know has quite a history to it. I assure him of the work that is ongoing within the Government to make progress on this. As many of the issues fall within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, OPW, has...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to revert to Deputy MacSharry directly on this issue. We all acknowledge that when it comes to responding to a cardiac incident, time is paramount, but so too is the quality of the service. I have heard what the Deputy had to say in regard to a cardiac cath lab and the requirements at Sligo. I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (29 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: As I said to Deputy MacSharry, I appreciate the importance of this issue. I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to respond as a matter of urgency, given the latest developments on this issue.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Bodies (28 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy regarding the State Boards under the remit of my Department and the bodies under its aegis is set out in the table below. 

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Spending Code (28 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Public Spending Code sets the value for money requirements and guidance for evaluating, planning and managing capital projects. Approval, management and delivery of investment projects and public services within allocation and the national frameworks, including the Public Spending Code, are the responsibility of every Department and Minister. For an extensive list of projects that are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (28 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: There were 449 people employed in my Department as of 31 May 2022. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working. In this context, my Department, in collaboration with Trade Unions, is currently finalising its own Blended Working Policy. It is anticipated that this...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (28 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I refer the Deputy to the table provided in TAB A (attached). TAB A – Estimated Savings The estimated annual savings from reducing the salaries of the civil service grades of Secretary General (level I, II and III) and Deputy Secretary by 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% are as set out in table below: Reduction 2% 5% 10% 15% Estimated...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (28 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: The estimated annual savings from reducing the salaries of the Chief Justice and Presidents of the High Court, Court of Appeal, Circuit Court, and the District Court by 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% are as set out in the table below: Reduction: 2% 5% 10% 15% Estimated Saving per annum (€ '000): 23 58 115 173

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (30 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy may be aware, the principle of abatement of a public service pension is longstanding within the rules of various public service pension schemes and pension abatement is an important aspect of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (the Single Scheme Act).   The Act provides for the abatement of a public service pension where a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (30 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that none of the bodies under the aegis of my Department are currently registered as a charity and also that none have held that status in the past.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service (30 Jun 2022)

Michael McGrath: Section 4.2 of Building Momentum provided for the establishment of an independent body to assess issues arising in addressing the Haddington Road Hours and to make appropriate recommendations to be applied equitably across all affected grades, groups, categories and sectors. Government approved the Independent Hours Body Report last April.  The circular issued recently, at the link, sets...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (30 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...