Results 11,181-11,200 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Offices (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: Expenditure on items such as utilities (gas and electricity), waste disposal and office furniture are catered for under office premises expenses as part of the estimates process. It is not been the practice to formulate the estimate on a building by building basis. This is because of the challenges involved in estimating items such as energy costs in which unpredictable weather conditions can...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together. The information requested in relation to expenditure on various types of external services is published as a matter of course on my Department's website and can be found at the following link:for the period to 31 December 2013. My Department is in the process of collating expenditure figures for Quarter...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Training (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The table contains a breakdown of expenditure on training and development in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the academic year 2013/2014. Course Title Provider Cost 3rd Level – Refund of Fees Scheme - -  MSc operations management DCU €3,770.00 Doctorate in Governance Institute of Public Administration (IPA) €8,000.00 Bachelor of Law...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Training (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The allocation for 2014 for training and development in the Department is €150,000. The impact of applying the percentages to this figure is set out in the table.   Budget 2014 % Reduction € Saving €150,000 5 7,500 - 7 10,500 - 10 15,000 - 12 18,000 - 15 22,500 - 17 25,500 - 20 30,000

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The  expenditure outturn for my Department for all staff under the Travel and Subsistence subhead in 2013 was €1.181 million. The table describes the reductions on this amount based on the various percentages referred to by the Deputy. Impact on 2013 outturn of percentage reductions 1% €11,810 5% €59,050 7% €82,670 10%...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 to 469, inclusive, together. While I fully expect my Department to come in on budget this year, July is far too early to make definitive projections as to whether there will be any significant underspend and a consequent need to carry-over funding to 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Properties (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the procurement of office (and other) accommodation required for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Department uses offices in a number of buildings throughout the State. All space available to the Department is utilised to the fullest extent possible. The OPW undertakes regular monitoring of space allocated to Departments...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Toll Operators (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects  is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Furthermore, the statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Agencies Expenditure (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together. The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Staff Data (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are three retired staff rehired in my Department and fourteen Ministerial staff whose contract is co-terminus with my tenure and that of my colleagues, Ministers of State Ring and Kelly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: There are two Special Advisers in my Department.  If their pay was capped at the first point of the Principal Officer grade scale, there would be a gross saving of less than €25,500 per annum to the Exchequer, before pension levy and other deductions were made. I look forward to hearing from the Deputy what saving would accrue from a similar move to the salaries of Special...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Road Projects (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address this issue. As Minister for Transport. I have responsibility for overall funding in regard to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, including service areas, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Pharmacy Services (9 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I am responding on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, and thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I refer to the current approach underpinning the delivery of community pharmacy services in Ireland. The supply of prescribed medicinal products to eligible persons by community pharmacists is governed by the terms of the 2007 community pharmacy...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Toll Operators (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue. I have responsibility for overall policy and funding relating to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the NRA under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Furthermore, the statutory power to levy tolls on...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Toll Operators (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: I do not know the answer to all the Deputy's questions. eFlow operates at a certain distance from the NRA, which operates at a certain distance from me and, therefore, I am not fully competent to answer all the questions. However, if the Deputy would like to put them in writing or send them via e-mail, I may be able to give him better answers. He asked about a service level agreement. I...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Toll Operators (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: No. Largely, the tolls from PPP roads go to the private companies. Because the M50 bridge belongs to the State, the tolls come into the NRA's budget, however it goes to pay back the money that was used to buy the bridge. The previous Government bought the bridge back at considerable expense. It is intended that after the money has been paid back, the tolls could go into capital development.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), which takes responsibility for the negotiation of mutual recognition of driving licences with other jurisdictions, has been engaged for some time with the Canadian provinces with the assistance of the Irish Embassy in Ottawa. It was decided to prioritise negotiations with Ontario due to the large number of Irish living there.  I understand from the RSA...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Éireann Services (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility to secure the provision of public passenger transport services throughout the State.  The NTA also oversees the  capital funding available for  investment in public transport measures in the regional cities and for investment in the Bus Éireann PSO fleet. Noting this, I have referred the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Promotion (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The Wild Atlantic Way was developed specifically for the western seaboard and is already gaining traction in our overseas markets. A similar concept for the south and east is also being developed by Fáilte Ireland to encourage international visitors to explore the area.   I have no direct role in relation to individual tourism projects. The route of the Wild Atlantic...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Policy (10 Jul 2014)

Leo Varadkar: The draft National Aviation Policy for Ireland was published on 21 May 2014 following a public consultation process in 2013. The consultation process covered all elements of aviation policy and the draft National Aviation Policy takes account of the submissions received. On the issue of fifth freedom traffic rights for airlines, the majority of submissions received...