Results 23,761-23,780 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (9 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, I have primary responsibility for the civil service pension schemes, while I hold an overall policy role in relation to public service pension schemes. No civil or public service occupational pension schemes will have a double pension payment, as they have separate terms to the State Pension (Contributory). In respect of the civil service pre-existing (pre-2013)...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (10 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: Under paragraph 11 of the rules of the Coillte Teoranta Main Superannuation Scheme, Coillte may grant discretionary pension increases which are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 and Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Provision (10 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: The issues raised by the Deputy are in the first instance the responsibilities of my Cabinet colleagues, Ministers O'Gorman and O'Brien.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Civil Service (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy O'Donoghue for his question. He may be interested to know that the salary scale of Secretaries General and equivalent grades is a matter of public record and is disclosed in replies to parliamentary questions. Also, circulars detailing the salaries applicable to each civil servant grade, including the Secretary General grade, are published and are publicly available on the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Civil Service (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: The specific question raised by the Deputy relates to the salaries paid to Secretaries General across Government Departments. In my initial reply, I outlined that the salary scales and grades of every Secretary General are a matter of public record and are published in a whole range of ways, including through parliamentary questions that are answered here on the record. Information is also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Civil Service (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I reiterate that the salary associated with each grade of Secretary General is a matter of public record and is published. Information is published in the relevant appropriation accounts. As the Deputy is aware, those accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and come before the Committee of Public Accounts for further scrutiny when the reports become available. The...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for the question. Budget 2023 contained significant responsive measures to support households, public and community services and businesses, with spending measures of €4.5 billion. As part of this budget, a winter cost-of-living package for households, costing €2.2 billion, was announced by the Government. It included the following: a double payment of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. Just today, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, and I announced the details of the four lump-sum payments to be made this week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. These payments are: the fuel allowance lump sum; the disability grant lump sum; the living-alone allowance lump sum; and the payment to low-income working families in the form of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: In response to Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan, we have committed that any additional revenues we raise, whether from a windfall tax, a solidarity contribution from companies in the renewables sector, which companies have done very well owing to how energy is priced, and also from fossil fuel companies, will be provided by way of additional supports to communities, households and businesses....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: At the outset, it should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in co-ordinating the national development plan, NDP, review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies, as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and agencies. National strategic objective, NSO, 8 seeks the transition to a climate-neutral and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: The important point to make is that the funding that has been provided represents an enormous opportunity for local authorities all over Ireland. The Deputy is correct in saying that there have been underspends across some local authority areas. To be fair, it can take time to build up the capacity to deliver certain projects and to get them through the various planning approval processes....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: It certainly is a wonderful beach. It is a real gem in west Cork. I am happy to work with Deputy O'Sullivan and the elected members of Cork County Council to advance the project because it would be hugely exciting if we were in a position to develop a safe pedestrian and cycling access between Clonakilty and Inchydoney. The returns that are made by local authorities are available, so we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: My role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform involves setting the allocations for capital expenditure across a number of Departments relevant to this NSO. This objective, as the Deputy knows, seeks to strengthen rural economies and communities. It applies to the traditional pillars of the rural economy as well as those emerging from such developments as improved transport...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: That is an especially exiting project in Charleville and I was pleased to see it at first hand. I understand it will see the renovation of a number of vacant and derelict buildings in the heart of the town. Charleville courthouse will be renovated into a remote working hub and a currently vacant heritage building on Chapel Street will be converted into a new arts and community centre. In...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I assure the Deputy that as a Government we recognise the importance and centrality of good broadband connectivity in rural Ireland. It is the great enabler in so many respects. In a post-Covid - if I can use that phrase - environment of remote and hybrid working, there are huge opportunities for towns and villages all over Ireland. The Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, as the line...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for allocating public funds across each area of Government spending and ensuring that expenditure is managed in line with these allocations by Departments. The National Development Plan 2021-2030, published last year, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to meeting Ireland’s infrastructure and investment needs over the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. I certainly will. It is an important part of our ongoing work. It is true to say that so far this year we have a significant underspend in capital. I think that will continue to year-end although it is difficult to predict what the precise amount will be. We will certainly have a substantial carry-forward of unspent capital this year into 2023. I am working very...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: Given the amount of ambition and indeed the need that is there across our country for investment in all of the areas I have already mentioned and others, we do have to make sure we deliver. It is about delivery. The budget is in place. We are at almost a unique point in our history where when it comes to capital expenditure, funding is not the greatest constraint. The greatest constraint...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for the consistent and personal interest he has taken in the PEACE PLUS programme, which is so important to the Border counties and Northern Ireland. I am pleased that this new cross-Border programme is at its final stage of development as a successor to the EU's INTERREG and peace programmes. With an unprecedented funding allocation of some €1.1 billion, PEACE...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: EU Programmes (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: That is a crucial point because there is a lot of human capital and a great deal of experience and expertise within the system - the SEUPB and the local authorities - and we need to protect and harness that. I had an opportunity on two occasions earlier this year to visit Northern Ireland and different projects that received funding under INTERREG 5A and PEACE IV. I visited Belfast in March...