Results 13,981-14,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy. Is he finished asking the question?

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have outlined to the Deputy that the existing programmes and policies extant under the aegis of Government will, of course, continue. The revised programme sets out some of the priority areas and some of the issues that came up for discussion on which further agreement was required. The whole range of Government activity is not encapsulated in any one programme for Government and that...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is over a three year programme. As the Deputy is aware the question of the detailed implementation of the programme is a matter for the Minister for Education and Science. As a general point, the question of allocation of teachers in any year is based on the intake of the previous September, as the Deputy is aware. The question is to establish in what way we can deal with any specific...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The objective criteria have to be worked out and the basis on which they will be appointed. I am making the point that over the next three years there will be 500 extra teachers.

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the programme for Government which confirms the situation in respect of fees. The question of registration fees relates to specific areas of expense that must be accommodated. That situation is outlined in the programme.

Written Answers — Census of Population: Census of Population (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As part of the preparatory work for the 2011 census the CSO conducted a public consultation by inviting members of the public and various interest groups to make submissions on the topics to be covered, and on the outputs to be produced. A notice to this effect was published in the national press in September 2008 seeking submissions, and all government departments were contacted for their...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Government has had extensive discussions with the social partners during the course of the year following the framework agreed with them on 28 January 2009. Under that framework we agreed on the need to stabilise the public finances to achieve a reduction in the overall Government deficit to below 3% by 2013 through an...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It would be better for the Deputy to address the details of his latter questions to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The discussions with the social partners are about meeting with them on the basis of the updated NESC report, which confirms that an integrated approach is needed to resolve the problems that we face. Engaging with the social partners is not just a matter...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government will give an up-to-date assessment of its view on the current budgetary and fiscal challenges. When one looks at public expenditure in general, one notes that, in broad terms, one third of public money is spent on social welfare and social services, one third is spent on public sector pay and pensions and one third is spent on the provision of services. Our first aim is to...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Pay and pensions comprise a very considerable proportion of total public expenditure, as I have outlined in broad terms. The severity of the funding crisis has already brought about a reduction in the numbers employed in the public service. With colleagues retiring and taking career breaks, and with the moratorium on recruitment in place, there is wide recognition among staff and their...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny knows the scale of the public finances crisis which confronts the country. Stabilising next year's deficit requires a considerable adjustment. Is it his contention that there are swathes of the population who can be immune from contributing to the necessary adjustment? If so, that is not a fair, comprehensible or accurate assessment of the situation.

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny suggests that there are swathes of people who could be immune from contributing. I simply make the point that the situation we face in terms of the public finances requires that every area of public expenditure on all fronts has to be considered. All areas of the public sector have to be considered. One acknowledges the role the public service plays in our society. Public...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that we look to all sections of the community to make a contribution, but we also have to do so in a way that respects and is consistent with the constitutional independence of the Judiciary. I hope and believe that will all be demonstrated in due course to be the case. I do not wish to enter into a controversy with any particular section of the community. My...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said in an earlier response on this matter, it is important to point out that the seven social partnership agreements we have had have helped to provide the stability and the means by which society generally has progressed, not only in terms of wage and remuneration or pay issues between employers and employees but in terms of the wider social policy advancements that have been made on...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, the figure of adjustment we believe is required is in the order of €4 billion, given that at present we are seeking to stabilise, let alone reduce, the deficit position for next year vis-á-vis this year. This is an important point to make. On the question of the public sector pay bill, as I have stated, we believe that is an area of public expenditure from which a contribution will...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The analysis we received from NESC earlier this month follows its analysis provided in January which fed into the February framework. It also provided further analysis in March. The Government recognises that there are many facets to this problem. The analysis also makes the fundamental point that this matter is not alone the responsibility of Government but of all economic and social...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The HSE has been doing much good work to make sure that money follows the patient and that resource allocation is appropriate for the needs of patients. The issue referred to by the Deputy relates to a position he outlined in recent times. We have invited him to get his plan objectively costed by the Department of Finance, but so far he has declined to do so. Two key changes would probably...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the continual portrayal of the health service, for all its problems, as not providing any successes or improvements. That is clearly not the case. If one examines successive HSE yearly service plans, one will see that many of the targets set in the plans have been met and in some cases exceeded. Measures taken in areas like cancer care and the reorganisation of hospital...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out the NAMA legislation and the changes in banking generally are to effect orderly restructuring of the banking and financial system over time. Instead of speaking continually about stumping up money for the banking system, one should note an investment is being made by the taxpayer in a shareholding in two of our main banks and by way of having to nationalise...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the contention that there has been very little change. There are different chairmen in various banks and different chief executives in various banks and building societies. With regard to the institutions covered under the guarantee scheme, there have been a number of changes. As the Deputy stated, there was an increase in the number of public interest directors...