Results 5,481-5,500 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Written Answers — Pre-school Services: Pre-school Services (8 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 199: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on providing schools participating in the free pre-school scheme a higher capitation grant if they employ teachers with higher educational qualifications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28204/09]

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Is the Tánaiste deferring this until September? Question, "That the Dáil shall sit later than 4.45 p.m. today," put and declared carried.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: While I do not wish to reopen the issue of the McCarthy report, which has been adequately aired, will a new approach be adopted this year to the presentation of the Estimates? As the Tánaiste is aware, the present position is that there is no scrutiny whatsoever of the Government's plans in respect of the choices on public spending. When the Estimates are presented, the House receives no...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: She can answer in respect of the Government's intentions.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: The Tánaiste should take the views of the rest of the House seriously when she goes to Cabinet to discuss this process, be it today, tomorrow or next week. Members seek a serious engagement and not the crazy activity that takes place at present.

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: There is no doubt about the desirability of dealing with pay levels and allowances in the Oireachtas and having a system that is seen as fair is important. Fine Gael advocated that pensions payable to serving Members of the Oireachtas should be entirely abolished. I received a letter from the Minister indicating that he had received legal advice to say that this could not be done but no...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Is it enabling to the Minister or to the commission?

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Yes, but is it-----

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: I am not clear on whether it is on the recommendation of the commission or a power that the Minister has which he can exercise independently of the commission.

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Second Stage (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: That is fair enough. The other issue that is raised is the Minister's proposal to have a benchmarking process for higher paid people in the public service. I presume that Members of the Oireachtas are included in that process. The Minister has not really clarified in his presentation how that procedure is intended to operate. There was quite a degree of debate about the issue of how...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: I move amendment No. a1: In page 3, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: " "Act of 2001" means Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act 2001.". This amendment is to deal with the issue which the Minister indicated he was sympathetic to examining, namely the status of the allowances paid to Independents. Under the present arrangements, while parties...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: That would be the safest deposit in the country.

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Is this new in the sense that the Minister is taking responsibility for something that has hitherto been a matter for the Oireachtas Commission? The Minister seems to be saying that the legal advice is that this would seem to be the simplest way. Undoubtedly it is simple but it certainly seems to be rowing back on the principle that the Oireachtas Commission is self-governing. Perhaps the...

Written Answers — Road Network: Road Network (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 23: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will reallocate the reduced funding for local and regional road maintenance to local authorities to address long standing dangerous roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28495/09]

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide details of the €250 million job protection programme; when she expects this scheme to commence; the financial mechanisms being used to fund the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29525/09]

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 74: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her Department made submissions to the McCarthy group on potential savings in her Department; the contents of the submissions made; if the McCarthy group made proposals to her Department; the contents of the proposals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28895/09]

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 84: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the funding allocated to the National Training Fund for 2008 and 2009; if she expects all funding will be spent in 2009; if the reminder will be carried over; the amount allocated to training schemes to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29526/09]

Written Answers — Faoiseamh Cánach: Faoiseamh Cánach (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 118: To ask the Aire Airgeadais an leasóidh sé alt 476 den Acht Comhdhlúite Cánacha 1997 ionas go mbeidh faoiseamh cánach ar fáil i leith chaiteachas an fhoghlaimeora ar chúrsaí teagaisc Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [28776/09]

Written Answers — Stádas na Gaeilge: Stádas na Gaeilge (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 119: To ask the Aire Airgeadais an gcuirfidh sé iallach ar na bainc eile a bhain leas as barántas €400 billiún agus athchaipitealú fial an Stáit rogha na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do na custaiméirí a úsáideann na seirbhísí baincéireachta ar-líne agus na hinnill airgid acu, i bhfianaise an tiomantais don teanga atá léirithe ag banc (sonraí tugtha) cheana féin trí...

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 121: To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department made submissions to the McCarthy group on potential savings in his Department; the contents of the submissions made; if the McCarthy group made proposals to his Department; the contents of the proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28897/09]