Results 2,541-2,560 of 7,412 for speaker:Neasa Hourigan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: As there are no other members with questions, I will ask a few of my own, if that is okay. I want to return to the inflation co-operation framework. I know from yesterday's announcement that there is more documentation coming but in the interim, I want to ask about back payments. This is a major issue for contractors and the scheme is very welcome. Who will audit the scheme and the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Published by the CSO.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: The two parties to the contract-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I take that point. I know it is, inevitably, going to be a complex area. I do not expect Mr. Kinnane to have all the details in front of him if this information has not even been published yet. What I am getting at is that many of the contracting bodies in this case may be local authorities or organisations of that nature. In a package like this, what is the engine of oversight? Often,...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: That is fine. It will come across my desk. I am on the Committee of Public Accounts.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: The benchmarks are agreed and calculated.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Fair enough.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Does the Department envisage that where there are disputes, they would follow the same mediation pathways as other contract disputes in the building construction context?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: It is yet to be decided.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Okay. I was reading through the announcement information. I refer to the way it is written regarding delays to the supply chain. Sometimes delays to the supply chain can result in design changes, for example. In this context, proving that a delay is a result of the conflict in Ukraine is difficult enough. We could then be moving into a grey area, where there may be extenuating...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Mr. Kinnane has given his answer. He can see my point.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Okay. Fair enough.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Okay.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: To finish this point, regarding mitigating cost increases and delays, what can we do in this context? Language is used regarding an effort being made to mitigate cost increases and delays. Is it envisaged that it would be the contractors doing that themselves? The Department is not necessarily working on speeding up supply chains or anything like that because of the nature of the costs.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Okay. I thank Mr. Kinnane. I have a quick question about the SWITCH system. We talked a little about this today and good examples were given of the various groups included in this context. We are in an incredibly volatile moment. I wonder about the Department's confidence in the SWITCH system's ability to respond to situations of particular groups. I am thinking specifically about child...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: It is calibrated.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Mr. Cullen wishes to come in.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Yes, I know it does not. This is my point.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: The point I wish to make is this. During the last Government, this committee did a piece of work on gender equality, of which the witnesses are aware. There are well-being indicators in the programme for Government. Both these initiatives are worthwhile. The witnesses have all done work on this and I know they are aware of these aspects. The Departments have done excellent work on this,...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Recent Cost-of-Living Measures: Discussion (11 May 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I am aware this is not only in the sphere of these two Departments. We are relying on sectoral Departments to do the work and almost report back. The witnesses could encourage them to do that. Ms Callaghan wants to come in.