Results 13,121-13,140 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Ministerial Transport: Ministerial Transport (25 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have received a total of €12,991 in respect of mileage claims covering the period May 2011- March 2012. I have two civilian drivers who are paid €631.75 per week by my Department. In the period May 2011 to March 2012 they received a combined payment of €66,370. In the same period they received a combined total of €16,246 in travel and subsistence claims. My Department paid €13,512...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As clarified with the Deputy's office, the question relates to the period since February 2011. My Department has not made any payments to public relations and communications consultants in the period from February 2011 to date.

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (26 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In the last six months my Department transferred 93 Parliamentary Questions to other Departments out of a total of 601 received. All of these transfers occurred because the questions were more appropriate to other Ministerial Offices, which have primary responsibility in their relevant areas. In each case, agreement was reached with the relevant Department prior to any transfer taking place.

Written Answers — Rural Development: Rural Development (26 Apr 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department has no responsibility for the organisations mentioned in the Deputy's question.

Written Answers — Public Sector Remuneration: Public Sector Remuneration (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The 'pension levy' or pension-related deduction (PRD) was introduced with effect from 1 March 2009 via the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. Under the Act the deduction is calculated by reference to 'remuneration'. Remuneration for this purpose is defined at section 1 of the Act as "emoluments to which Chapter 4 of Part 42 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997...

Written Answers — Election Costs: Election Costs (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Returning Officers are required to submit accounts to the Department of Finance within six months of holding an election. The final accounts for the recent by-election were submitted this week and will be examined in detail. I am advised that a single bank account was used for the by-election, the Presidential Election and the Referendums, which were held simultaneously. General costs, such...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy may be aware the Programme for Government contains a commitment to extend the Ombudsman Act to ensure that all statutory bodies are covered. My Department is currently examining the steps necessary to implement this commitment which would have the effect of including Inland Fisheries under the remit of the Ombudsman.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: There are two EU cross-border Programmes specifically focused on the border counties of Ireland and Northern Ireland. These are the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE) and the INTERREG Programme. The current PEACE III Programme (2007-2013) has a total allocation of 333m euro and INTERREG IVA (2007-2013) has an allocation of 256m euro. Both Programmes are co-funded by the EU...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Recommendation 62.15 of the Moriarty Tribunal Report (March 2011) is that the Standards Commission could appoint an inspector to audit the financial affairs of an office holder, within the meaning of the Ethics Acts, by the voluntary and positive election of the office holder, at any time during his/her period in office and for a defined period thereafter. I am examining another possible...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Office occupied by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at Government Buildings is a shared building used by staff of both this Department and staff of the Department of Finance. The full year heating costs for 2011 were €37,470. The Office of Public Works are responsible for the payment of utility bills for Áras an Uachtaráin. They have informed me that the annual...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 4th April 2012 that the Government has decided to hold a competition for the next National Lottery licence and that the licence will be for a 20 year period. The new licence will involve an upfront payment to the State, with some of the payment being used to help fund the building of the proposed new National Children's Hospital. The ongoing provision...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: 5Access to a Performance Related Awards Scheme is no longer included in employment contracts of CEOs of Non Commercial State Agencies. Currently, there are two CEOs in Non Commercial State Agencies who continue, as they are legally entitled to, under the terms of their contracts of employment, to avail of Performance Related Award Schemes.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I refer the Deputy to my answer to PQ 20116/12 answered on Tuesday 24th April, 2012.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to the number of bodies and agencies under my aegis, I refer the Deputy to my answer to Deputy Mary Lou McDonald (PQ Ref No: 5539/12) on 31 January 2012 which lists the bodies and agencies of each Department. Those Offices of State etc., who have their own Vote (see Appendix 1) and for which I am responsible are: Vote 13 - Office of Public Works Vote 14 - State Laboratory Vote...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am very aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for local enterprises. Current guidelines including Circular 10/10 -'Facilitating SME Participation in Public Procurement' 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...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The surplus generated by the National Lottery is transferred annually to the Exchequer and is applied to part-fund the Exchequer allocations to a specified range of expenditure subheads across various Votes. The amount transferred to the Exchequer from the National Lottery surplus, together with details of the total Exchequer allocations to the relevant Lottery supported subheads, are...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (1 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department has responsibility for e-working policy in the civil service. This is outlined in Circular 4/2003: Pilot schemes to promote e-working in the civil service. Most government departments introduced pilot e-working schemes. In 2009, the Minister for Transport published "Smarter Travel: A Sustainable Transport Future " which represented a new transport policy for Ireland for the...

Leaders' Questions (2 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Why not ask how many are employed?

Written Answers — Retirement Age: Retirement Age (3 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Staff who joined the Civil Service prior to 1 April 2004 are required under current legislation to retire at the maximum retirement age which is 65 years of age. Staff who joined the Civil Service after 1 April 2004 and are classed as new entrants, as defined in section 2 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004, are not required to retire at 65 as the maximum...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (3 May 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department does not have any offices in Waterford city or county. Questions in relation to such offices should be put to the relevant Department.