Results 15,081-15,100 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Lease Agreements (13 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has policy responsibility for matters relating to Carrisbrook House, Anco and the Department of Industry and Commerce and relevant questions should be put to him in the first instance. Questions in relation to leases entered into by public bodies, statutory agencies and the like between 1963 and 1973 where such leases remain in force today...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (13 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The categories for the disbursement of National Lottery funds provided for in section 41 of the National Lottery Bill 2012 include national culture and heritage (including the Irish language) and youth, welfare and amenities. These two categories are quite wide and would not prohibit the funding of community projects which have an environmental dimension. Consequently, I am of the view that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Remit (14 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to extend Freedom of Information to all public bodies. In this context in approving the general Scheme of the Bill, the Government has agreed to extend Freedom of Information to the Vocational Education Committees with the exception of any records which would enable the compilation of information (that is not...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (14 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The pension-related deduction ("pension levy") was introduced by way of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 and section 13 of that Act provides that I must review the Act each year and cause a written report of my findings to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, which I have done and will continue to do.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Family Support Services (14 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy refers to the report "Fiscal Case for Working with Troubled Families" published in February by the British Government’s Department for Communities and Local Government. There are five areas addressed by the report: - Early Year Education - Preventative work with young people (e.g. youth work, positive activities, Information, Advice and Guidance) - Protecting children via...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Flexible Working Arrangements are not being abolished under the Labour Relation Commission (LRC) proposals. Work-life balance arrangements in the public service will continue to be among the best available options provided by Irish employers, particularly when considered in tandem with annual leave and other provisions. These arrangements underpin important social policy goals, in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I have brought the Deputy's question to the attention of the Chief State Solicitor's Office which informs me that it has now issued an interim letter and will be following up with a full response.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: There are currently no plans to reintroduce an incentivised career break scheme for civil servants. The Special Civil Service Incentivised Career Break Scheme was introduced as a once-off measure that was included in the Supplementary Budget announced on 7 April, 2009. In the order of 606 civil servants applied for a career break under the incentivised scheme, of which some 526 applications...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Revised Estimates Publication (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The revised estimates for all Government Departments will be published within the next number of weeks. As the Deputy is aware, the revised Croke Park proposals were recommended by the Labour Relations Commission on 25 February last. The proposals contain many multifaceted measures and it takes time to fully disaggregate the impact on Departmental pay and pension allocations. In the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question the following is a list of the external consultants currently engaged by my Department, including the cost of providing advice to date: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Consultant’s Name Cost Comments Davy Corporate Finance €284,437.50 Financial Consultancy Richard Humphreys €90,109.80 Legal Consultancy ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Croke Park Agreement Issues (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is a common and longstanding feature of collective agreements that letters are issued to clarify points of understanding or agreement between sectoral management and unions. It can be helpful to both sides to have a written statement setting out the understanding of both sides as to how the text will apply in particular contexts and in particular situations. This is consistent with...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Nursing Staff Remuneration (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I refer to my reply to Question Nos. 266 and 272 - 12607/13 and 13035/13 - of 12 March 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service Reform Plan sets out a commitment to evaluate alternative models for the delivery of non-core services in a more cost effective and flexible approach, with a focus on customer service improvement. In July 2012, the Government agreed a range of actions aimed at achieving a focused and integrated approach to external service delivery of non-core processes with the objective...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Retirements (20 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The data requested by the Deputy is currently being prepared and will be published in the forthcoming Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Licence Sale (21 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: While I, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, have overall responsibility for the National Lottery, the appointment of Lottery agents is a matter for the National Lottery Company. I have no role in day-to-day commercial decisions of this nature which are a matter between the individual retailer and the National Lottery Company.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Information and Communications Technology Issues (21 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Given the hundreds of individual services provided by Government Departments and the diversity of those services, it does not make operational or commercial sense to centralise the call-handling for all of these. Instead the public service has invested in a range of more practical solutions including IVR, Direct Dial-In, Lo-Call, 076 facilities, Voice over IP and Skype facilities. These...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Information and Communications Technology Issues (21 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As with all technologies, my Department uses Integrated or Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems in those areas where it makes sense and provides value to both the business and the customer. While IVR of itself does not contribute substantially to salary savings, it does, in certain circumstances, help to streamline the user experience so that services are better delivered.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Presidential Reports (21 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question I wish to advise that I have not yet had the opportunity to read this report but I look forward to doing so when received.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Increment Payments (26 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 285 and 286 together. In relation to estimates of savings arising from the LRC proposals, the Revised Estimates Volume for 2013 will set out the revised allocations for Votes arising from the proposals made and will include an overall savings provision on the pay and pensions bill of some €300m for 2013. My Department will be contacting...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Outsourcing of Public Services (26 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Employment law and its enforcement apply equally to public and private sector contracts. Consequently, it is not necessary for me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to set out a separate policy for public sector contracts. My colleague Mr Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has overall policy responsibility for employment rights. The National Employment...