Results 13,341-13,360 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (13 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 88 together. As the Deputy will be aware, this Government is committed to far reaching reform of the Public Service and providing better value for money, flexibility and service delivery in the Public Service. The Government's Public Service Reform Plan, which was published last November, outlines the priority actions and timelines for reform. These...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (14 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement is a four year agreement covering the period out to 2014. The terms of the Agreement provide for an ongoing review process. No negotiations or discussions have taken place with unions or staff representatives in relation to the expiration of the Agreement.

Written Answers — Performance Management Systems: Performance Management Systems (14 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 49, inclusive, together. The new PMDS form came into use for the 2012 cycle which commenced on 1 January 2012 and replaces the three separate Role Profile, Interim Review and Annual Review forms which were in use previously. The 2012 cycle of the Performance Management and Development System ends on 31 December 2012. The central aim of any performance...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (19 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am 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. Circular 10/10 was developed in 2010 by a cabinet committee which was tasked with considering issues that face SMEs in...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pensions: Public Sector Pensions (19 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The gross accrued liability for public service occupational pensions is estimated at €116bn as of December 2009. This estimate is set out in the Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General published in 2010. This figure was arrived at on the basis of a detailed actuarial valuation of public service pension schemes carried out by consultants employed by the C&AG in the light of the...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (19 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011, outlines the Government's programme of public service reforms and improvements which are designed to deliver on the commitments made in the Programme for Government. The radical streamlining of 48 state bodies, a key element of the Plan, includes the merger of the Commission on Public Service Appointments into the Office of the...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (19 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, while my Department is responsible for the overall sanctioning of ICT expenditure in the public service, the responsibility for day to day operations rests with each Department and State Agency. Consequently, the decision on what particular office productivity software to deploy and its specific costs are matters for each Department and Agency, subject to the normal...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (19 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As I have previously stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question number 28316/12, the general policy with regard to the re-engagement of retired public servants is that staff should not be retained beyond retirement age and any re-engagement should be kept as limited as possible and should be for a very restricted period. In any big organisation situations can arise where a particular issue...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (19 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the proposed Single Public Service Pension Scheme for new recruits to public service employment. This new scheme is being legislated for by way of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011, which is a major wide-ranging and complex piece of legislation. The new scheme will apply to all future new entrants in all areas...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: With the ESOP it was 75%. It disposed of the majority.

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It would be a brave man who sought to look into the mind of Michael O'Leary.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (20 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the proposed Single Public Service Pension Scheme for new recruits to public service employment. This new scheme is being legislated for by way of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011, which is a major wide-ranging and complex piece of legislation. Following enactment and commencement, the new scheme will apply...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (20 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The correspondence referred to has been forwarded to the appropriate officials of my Department for their attention.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Officials in my Department are in regular communication with line Departments with regard to monitoring current expenditure. Departments and Offices report on net current expenditure issues from the Exchequer immediately prior to the end of each month and these figures are monitored against the published Expenditure profiles. In addition, officials from my Department meet regularly with...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (21 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Civil servants may be granted a career break for the purposes of child rearing, other domestic purposes, educational purposes and travel abroad. The period of a career break for these purposes can be up to five years. A career break, of up to three years only, may be granted for the purposes of self employment, with certain conditions attached. Career breaks are not currently granted for...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (21 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Civil Service departments and other public service organisations vary in relation to the approaches they adopt to the transfer of their own staff between locations and no centrally agreed approach is applied. There are no formal arrangements in place within the civil service to facilitate requests for transfers to other locations/employments, except in the case of grades represented by the...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (21 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Based on returns to made to my Department there were 2,157 voluntary redundancies and 20 compulsory redundancies (the Garda Training College) over the last five years. My Department is awaiting complete returns from the Department of Education & Skills. These will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are to hand. Certain categories of staff such as those employed under a fixed-term or...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (21 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Earlier this year the Public Appointments Service advertised an Administrative Officer competition in the following six specialist areas: Economics; Banking & Finance; Human Resources; Tax Policy; Accountancy; and Law. A total of 3,403 applications were received and the following is a summary of the activity in respect of the competition. Economics. Following the selection process a total of...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (26 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is planned to bring proposals to Government shortly to secure approval to draft amending Freedom of Information legislation. Extension of the remit of the Freedom of Information Act to include the National Asset Management Agency will be considered by Government in this context.

Written Answers — Oireachtas Pensions: Oireachtas Pensions (26 Jun 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The annual saving that would be achieved from capping pensions of former members of the Oireachtas (including former Ministers and office holders) at €50,000 is approximately €1.045 million per annum.