Results 23,421-23,440 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (6 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 to 52, inclusive, together. As the Deputy may be aware, the principle of abatement of a public service pension is long-standing within the rules of various public service pension schemes. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (6 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: Special leave with pay for COVID-19 arrangements were introduced by my Department in March 2020 as a temporary measure in response to the unprecedented circumstances presented by the COVID pandemic. Special Leave with Pay has been used in lieu of sick leave across the Public Service to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises. From 1 July 2022,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget Process (6 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: The pre-budget 2023 submission referred to in the question arrived in my Department yesterday afternoon 5 July 2022. It will be examined, as all pre-budget submissions are, by my officials and relevant issues will be brought to my attention as necessary. I would however like to point out that the matter of funding the proposed investment for the organisation outlined would be an policy issue,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (6 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: Special leave with pay for COVID-19 arrangements were introduced by my Department in March 2020 as a temporary measure in response to the unprecedented circumstances presented by the COVID pandemic. Special Leave with Pay has been used in lieu of sick leave across the Public Service to assist in the prevention of the possible onward spread of COVID-19 in the work premises. In relation to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (5 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that no Board members appointed to the State Boards under the remit of my Department are former County Managers or former Chief Executive Officers of a local authority.  Each of the three State Boards under the remit of my Department (the Data Governance Board, the National Shared Services Advisory Board and the Public Appointments Service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (5 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: When the ‘Original’ S&C Scheme (formerly named widows’ and orphans’ contributory pension scheme) was introduced for female civil servants in 1981 on terms equivalent to those applicable to male civil servants, the beneficiaries were confined to the spouses and children of marriages that took place prior to the individual leaving public service employment. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (5 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are currently no full time PhD candidates placed in my Department or the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department. I can also confirm that this is the case with regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department.   The Deputy may be aware that the refund of fees scheme supports civil servants to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (5 Jul 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Bodies (5 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: The process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018, with the remainder of the process largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 and ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022’. By 1 July, 2021, salary rates up to €150,000, which account for 99% of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (5 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme is under the remit of Minister Humphreys and the Department of Social Protection, who I understand have received a similar question. Within the Public Service each sector is responsible for their own occupational health supports and their own occupational injury schemes, as sectoral needs require.  Access to such schemes is as per the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Airport Security (5 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: I would suggest that the Deputy refer his question to the Minister for Justice, as the matter of an additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport and the cost arising is a matter for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána and the Minister of Justice in the first instance.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Supports (7 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: Ireland’s allocation from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve is €1.065 billion in constant (2018) prices, equivalent to €1.165 billion in current prices, representing just over 20% of the total Reserve, or the largest allocation for any Member State. - €361.6 million received in 2021 - €276.7 million received in 2022 - Third tranche due in 2023 The allocation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy may be aware, part of the reasoning for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform terminating funding to Benefacts was that the service provided did not fall under the ambit of the Department's policy responsibility. That remains the case. Accordingly, the Department does not have plans regarding any proposed reconstitution of the Benefacts service. However, the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (7 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: In relation to the matters the Deputy refers, the remit of my Department extends to Special Leave with Pay for Covid-19 and to the Public Service sick leave scheme. Special leave with pay for COVID-19 arrangements were introduced in March 2020 as a temporary measure in response to the unprecedented circumstances presented by the COVID pandemic. Special Leave with Pay has been used in lieu of...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (12 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: What is the event?

Estimates for Public Services 2022 (12 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move the following Supplementary Estimate: Vote 29 - Office of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications (Second Supplementary Estimate) That a second supplementary sum not exceeding €110,000,000 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 the salaries and expenses of the Office of...

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: As we gather here in our national Parliament today, we have war in Europe, resulting in the largest forced-displacement of people since the Second World War, levels of inflation not seen in four decades and concerns that Europe could be facing an energy crisis. The outlook for the global economy is being downgraded, we have no government in Northern Ireland and we have witnessed political...

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: -----and that are working well together. With the support of this House, which I hope is affirmed today, the Government will continue to be honest and do our best for the people of this country.

Confidence in Government: Motion (12 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: Will the Deputy join us and go into government? That will be the day.

Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill 2022: From the Seanad (13 Jul 2022)

Michael McGrath: Amendment No. 1 is a technical amendment to remove a reference to subsection (7A) of section 5 of the principal Act. That subsection is to be repealed by section 3 of the Bill. Amendments Nos. 2, 7 and 12 are a series of minor amendments to provide that the rules applying to employers as regards anonymous reports should be without prejudice to their obligations to give further feedback...