Results 7,521-7,540 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Questions on Promised Legislation (10 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: What about the recommendations? I am looking for clarification, if possible.

Questions on Promised Legislation (10 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: My question was not answered.

Questions on Promised Legislation (10 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: Maybe he will clarify the position with me immediately afterwards.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Ambulance Service Provision (10 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: 235. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional emergency ambulance; and the full year cost of additional personnel required for its staffing. [20790/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (15 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: 340. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied). [20821/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: 1. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the negotiations with regard to pay equalisation; the timeline for negotiations to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21727/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: As the Minister knows, in our confidence and supply arrangement we insisted on a public pay commission to respond with recommendations following analysis of costs associated with pay equalisation, especially for new entrants since 2011. We recognise that the Government has finally committed to a pathway to deal with this process. It is a matter for the Minister to consider also the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for his good wishes. I apologise for my voice this morning. Before the Tánaiste, Deputy Coveney, or anybody else starts tweeting, I wish to point out I have a sore throat. I ask the Minister to bear with me. I thank the Minister for his answer. Notwithstanding the catastrophic scandal involving the HSE, CervicalCheck and the Department of Health, it was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Service Pay Commission (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: I acknowledge the ongoing negotiations on the inequality issue and the Government's commitment to resolving it. I accept that there is a pathway for it to be carried through. However, the pay commission was charged with an initial and primary responsibility which was related to recruitment and retention issues and the associated difficulties in the health service. There is an...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: 3. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council was consulted on the growth projections and the money committed in relation to the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21728/18]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: We welcome the investment committed to in the national development plan. The sum of €91 billion in Exchequer expenditure up to 2027 is most welcome. However, it is a ten-year programme based on projections such as, for example, a 4% annual growth rate from 2022 to 2027. The Government seeks the advice of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council annually on projections for budgetary measures...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: To clarify, there is a 2% growth rate, as the Minister says, and a 2% inflation rate. That amounts to a total of 4%. The Minister is saying the council was not specifically asked or consulted prior to publication of the national development plan. What provision was made for potential Brexit implications? Do the projections take cognisance of the reports on Brexit of the Economic and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: It is 2% plus 2%.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: The Minister's reference to Brexit and its potential implications for the economy and our ability to meet the demands of the plan is based on an assumption that there will be a transitional agreement that will not have a detrimental effect on the provisions he has made for capital expenditure under the plan. He says increasing capital expenditure by 25% will be sufficient to meet the demands...

Other Questions: Decentralisation Programme (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: The Deputy would be glad of it now.

Other Questions: Decentralisation Programme (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: That is right, they have.

Other Questions: Statutory Retirement Age (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: 8. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when legislation to increase the compulsory retirement age for public servants will be published; the timeframe for the legislation to pass in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21668/18]

Other Questions: Statutory Retirement Age (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: The current system compulsory retirement age remains at 65 years while pensions can only be claimed at 66 years, and that age is to be increased in future. We cannot allow the current practice of applying for jobseeker's payments to continue to fill the gap. When will legislation come before the House to increase the compulsory retirement age to 70 years, as the Minister announced last...

Other Questions: Statutory Retirement Age (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: While I do not doubt the effort that has been made to bring forward the legislation, it is disappointing to hear that we have no commitment from the Minister that it will be passed prior to the summer recess in order that it might benefit another tranche of people in September. In that light, will the Minister agree to waive the requirement for pre-legislative scrutiny by the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Government Procurement (17 May 2018)

Barry Cowen: 15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Government Procurement has statutory or other authority to advise, consult or manage local authority procurement processes; the policies in place to ensure fairness and consistent public procurement processes are used by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21672/18]