Results 11,261-11,280 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: A decision has not been taken in respect of reactivating the education legislation to which the Deputy refers. It is hoped the mental capacity legislation will be introduced by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. The review on personal alarms will be completed next month.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Nothing has been promised but the matter can be considered.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: We had a debate on this matter. Like the Deputy, I am working on it. However, there is no legislation promised.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: That question was asked on Tuesday and the Minister will revert to the Deputy directly. The Social Welfare Bill will be taken this session.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I will revert to the Deputy on those matters.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been asked to revert directly to the Deputy on that matter. The Minister is abroad and will revert to the Deputy upon his return.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I will revert to the Deputy on that matter.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Next year.

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: That is not true.

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Des Geraghty may have something to say about the Deputy's views on the board.

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: A parliamentary party meeting is taking place, as are discussions on a programme for Government.

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises: --- the critical role of FÁS, as the State's employment and training agency, in assisting the Government meet the current training, upskilling and employment needs of the workforce; --- the difficulties that the current economic situation poses for the unemployed and their families;...

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: No, it was not.

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: My intention in requesting the review was to ensure that appropriate public procurement procedures exist to prevent or detect irregularities or wrongdoing and to examine and report on the activities of the FÁS corporate affairs area since 2000. This was in order to achieve reasonable assurance on whether there were any occasions of potential fraud or irregularity in that area other than...

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This is the first of two reports into FÁS, the second of which is currently being drafted by the Comptroller and Auditor General. In November 2008, after initial intense negotiations on the terms of his departure, the then director general tendered his resignation following reports of excessive travel expenditure in the organisation. In the interest of allowing FÁS to focus on its core...

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: In December 2008, the chairman of FÁS confirmed in writing that FÁS was fully compliant with Department of Finance regulations in regard to foreign travel. As the foreign travel issue centred around the science challenge programme, in December 2008 I commissioned an internal review into the science challenge initiative. The review focused on whether the initiative as it then operated...

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: This has now been carried out. In terms of supervision of any agency it is important that a parent Department should satisfy itself that systems are in place to effectively manage public funds. However, this should not be interpreted as Departments having to take onto themselves responsibilities that properly belong to the bodies concerned. That is why, in addition to my Department's...

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: Since the code of practice was issued, it has been confirmed by FÁS each year over the period 2002-07, with the exception of 2006, that steps were taken to ensure an appropriate control environment. It also stated that the audit committee on behalf of the board conducted a review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial controls and that no weaknesses were found in the...

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I assure the House that the decision to agree to the addition of years to his pension entitlement was not taken lightly. Securing his departure in a non-litigious manner was considered to be in line with the best interests of both the FÁS organisation and the taxpayer. The severance package was agreed in accordance with section 6(3) of the Labour Services Act 1987.

FÁS: Motion (6 Oct 2009)

Mary Coughlan: I should point out to the House that any question of dismissal is, in the first instance, a matter for the board of FÁS. In this regard, it should be noted that if the board had dismissed him, the procedures involved would have been time consuming and in the absence of due and fair process could possibly have ended up in a court action.