Results 23,781-23,800 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

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

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Nos. 11 and 245 together. Total gross voted expenditure to the end of October amounted to €66.531 billion, which is €80 million, or 0.1%, below profile overall. Gross voted current expenditure of €61.055 billion is €1.262 billion, or 2.1%, ahead of profile. Gross voted capital expenditure of €5.476 billion is €1.342 billion, or...

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

Michael McGrath: I reassure the Deputy and the House that we will always provide the resources necessary to respond to emergencies. Be it a flooding event or any other major humanitarian issue that arises, we will always step in and provide the necessary support. In adopting budget 2023 we have a strong fiscal framework and we are projecting a significant surplus next year. As the Deputy knows, we are in a...

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2022: Referral to Joint Committee (16 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Section 9(2)) (Amount of Financial Contribution) Order 2022, a copy of which was laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 10th November, 2022, be referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in accordance with Standing...

Estimates for Public Services 2022 (16 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move the following Supplementary Estimates: Vote 27 — International Co-operation (Supplementary Estimate)That a supplementary sum not exceeding €30,000,000 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 certain Official Development Assistance, including certain grants, and for contributions to...

Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2022: Leave to Introduce (16 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimates for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2022: Vote 5 — Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 12 — Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary Estimate). Vote 13 — Office of Public Works (Supplementary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Meetings (16 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: In response to the Deputy's question I have not visited County Clare in my capacity as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform since I was appointed in June 2020. I have, however, visited Clare on a number of occasions during the same period in a personal capacity. These visits, while informal in nature, have been very beneficial in enhancing my understanding of the challenges and...

Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2022: Leave to Introduce (23 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2022: Vote 32 — Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Supplementary Estimate).

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: The level of employment in Ireland reached over 2.55 million people in the second quarter of this year, the highest level ever. Increased labour force participation has been a key factor behind the strong employment recovery. Despite some expected softening in the labour market over the next year or so, tight conditions and skills shortages for some sectors are likely to persist in the labour...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Voluntary Sector (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by staff in these organisations and the vital contribution of the Community and Voluntary (C&V) sector. By way of general information, the Deputy may be aware that employees in these organisations are not Public Servants and do not fall under the remit of my Department. The relevant legislation is clear on the range...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have responsibility for public procurement policy, including the work of the Office of Government Procurement within my Department. There are two main sources for the significant and sustained increases in the price of a broad range of commonly used materials in the construction sector since Q2 of 2021. The first arises from the pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: In May of this year the Department of Transport established an inter-departmental working group to consider how the transfer could be supported across Government, as the Department of Transport itself has no mechanism to fund financial support to Shannon Heritage or the local authorities. My Department was represented on the Group along with the Department of Housing, Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: The reason for the different disclosure requirements is due to the different evolution of the rules in which Voted entities and non-Voted public bodies and companies report their accounts and the fact that the standard Secretary General salary scales, along with scales for other Civil Service grades, are regularly published on Gov.ie whereas the remuneration of CEO positions in non-Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cost of Living Issues (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: Budget 2023 set out a responsive approach to fiscal policy investing in the future of our public services and economy while addressing the challenges faced today. Budget 2023 contained significant measures, of c. €4.5 billion, to support households, public and community services and businesses. As part of this budget, a winter cost of living package for households was announced by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for the allocation of public funds across each area of Government spending and seeks to ensure that expenditure is managed by Departments in line with these allocations. The responsibility for the management and delivery of investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP),...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for the allocation of public funds across each area of Government spending and to ensure that expenditure is managed by Departments in line with these allocations. The responsibility for the management and delivery of investment projects, within the allocations agreed under the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 (NDP), rests with...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 127 together. Public service pay has been governed by a system of collective agreements since the Croke Park Agreement was negotiated in 2010. These collective agreements have helped to ensure that public pay is managed in a sustainable, affordable and orderly manner. These agreements have also enabled significant reform of public services and changes...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: The review of the Freedom of Information Act is now at an advanced stage. As outlined in the roadmap document, it took the form of an open and collaborative process, taking in the views of a diverse range of stakeholders. Almost 1,300 submissions were received from individuals and organisations in the course of my Department's consultations in the review, which took place in two phases: an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Fiscal Policy (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: A series of successive external shocks are having an impact on our society, economy and fiscal position, challenges that will carry through into 2023. Budget 2023 set out the Government response to support investment in public services, facilitate continued responses to externally driven challenges; alongside substantial measures to alleviate the cost of living pressures being experienced by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ethics in Public Office (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I am happy to inform the Deputy that a draft report of my Department’s review of our statutory framework for ethics is at the point of being completed. My Department is now engaging with major stakeholders across the public service to finalise the report. I will then consider the final report and bring it to Government for its approval and publication. It is intended that Government...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Irish Language (15 Nov 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 227 together. Some of the actions that my Department and the Public Appointments Service (PAS) are taking to increase the number of fluent Irish speakers in the civil service include: 1. Dedicated recruitment and promotion competitions targeted at Irish language speakers: PAS has held general civil service competitions for individuals with...