Results 13,101-13,120 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Moriarty and Mahon Tribunal Reports were discussed when they were brought to Government. Neither I nor my officials have attended any meetings recently regarding recommendations in the Moriarty and Mahon Tribunal Reports. I am reviewing the detailed set of recommendations contained in the Mahon Tribunal Report related to ethics as well as those contained in the Moriarty Tribunal Report...

Written Answers — Commercial Rent Reviews: Commercial Rent Reviews (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 292, inclusive, together. The Office of Public Works confirms that the rent on 33 leases has been the subject of adjustment since February 2011 and the details requested are listed in the following table: LOCATION NAME USAGE CURRENTRENT PREVIOUSRENT AMOUNTPA+/- EXPIRY UPWARDRVWCLAUSE LANDLORD NAME BALBRIGGAN Balbriggan Passport Office Office...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy may be aware, I have overall responsibility for EU Cohesion and Structural Funds Policy. While there is no formal Council formation for Cohesion Policy, I attended the Informal Meeting of Ministers with responsibility for Cohesion Policy in Poznan, Poland on the 25th November 2011 and the General Affairs Council meeting on 16th December 2011 which dealt exclusively with...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am very aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for local enterprises. Current guidelines (Circular 10/10) issued by my Department require public bodies to promote participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the award of public contracts. These guidelines set out positive measures that contracting authorities are to take to promote SME involvement in...

Written Answers — Departmental Strategy Statements: Departmental Strategy Statements (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department is working with the Public Service Chief Information Officer (CIO) Council on the development of the Cloud Computing Strategy for the public service. Drafting is under way. It is planned to bring the Strategy to Government in June for approval and publication.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to the number of State agencies abolished or merged in 2011; the number planned to be merged or abolished in 2012; and the resultant savings from these measures, I refer the Deputy to my answer to Deputy Michael McGrath (PQ Ref No: 17472/12) on 29 March 2012. Questions regarding the purpose of the individual bodies concerned should be directed to the relevant Ministers. In terms...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have statutory responsibility for administering Civil Service pensions which includes the Prison Service, and pensions paid from the Central Fund, namely judicial and ministerial pensions. In relation to these groups there are 114 individuals currently in receipt of a pension in excess of €100,000. I do not have this information in relation to Health, Education, the Defence Forces, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As legislation was enacted in July 2011 to establish my Department, I am not in a position to provide relevant details for the period prior to then. The information requested by the Deputy will be detailed in the Appropriation Accounts for 2011. The Appropriation Accounts are available online at www.audgen.gov.ie. The 2011 Appropriation Accounts have not yet been finalised by the Office of...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am very aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for local enterprises. In general, SMEs' flexibility and ability to respond speedily to requirements can be advantageous in competing for local contracts. Procurement guidelines (Circular 10/10) issued by my Department require public bodies to promote participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is envisaged that one third of the proceeds raised thorough the disposal of State assets will be available for reinvestment purposes, once a threshold of €1 billion is reached. This means that up to €1 billion could be available, under the assumption that we realise the full €3 billion target that has been set for the State asset disposal programme.

Written Answers — Local Government Fund: Local Government Fund (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department has not received any request for a supplementary allocation to the Local Government Fund.

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: This matter is currently being discussed at EU level as part of the proposed amendments to the Procurement Directives and my Department is represented on the working group engaged in the process of considering the proposals. In the absence of an EU wide system to ensure compliance with employment and equality legislation, we will consider whether appropriate measures can be taken in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: No civil servants who have retired from my Department are back on the payroll in my Department.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to extend Freedom of Information to ensure that all statutory bodies and all bodies significantly funded by the Exchequer are covered by the legislation. My Department is currently engaged in consultation with all other Government Departments about developing and finalising proposals for consideration by the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government announced a new National Internship Scheme as part of its Jobs Initiative programme, which was published on 10 May 2011. The National Internship Scheme, known as JobBridge, provides at any one time up to 5,000 work experience placements of 6 or 9 months for unemployed individuals in organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors. It is a time-limited scheme for a...

Written Answers — Civil Service Management: Civil Service Management (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956-2006 form the legal basis for the management of the civil service. Under Section 17 of the Acts the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has the authority to regulate and control the civil service and to set the terms and conditions of civil servants. The Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has a key role in...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (24 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following information has been provided by bodies under the aegis of my Department. The Valuation Office Mr Dermot Quigley is Commissioner of Valuation, in charge of the Valuation Office for an interim period, due to end 30th April. He is doing the work on a pro-bono basis, so there is no cost to the State. The Office of Public Works I have been...

Leaders' Questions (25 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: What has Deputy Martin against it?

Leaders' Questions (25 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Ó Caoláin should listen now.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: No money has been spent on hair and make-up by my Department.