Results 16,381-16,400 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Leader's Allowance Issues (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Party Leaders Allowance is provided for in the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) Act, 1938, as amended by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices (Amendment) Act, 2001. The legislation, when introduced in 1938, made provision for payments to leaders of qualifying parties in respect of members of Dáil Éireann only. The legislation was amended in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 311 to 315, inclusive, and 317 together. The Government continues to make good progress on achieving all of our deficit targets and priorities, as articulated in the Government Programme. We are bringing public expenditure back onto a sustainable path and driving forward the public service reform agenda to ensure that efficiencies and reformed work practices...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Programme for Government Implementation (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Government continues to make good progress on achieving all of our deficit targets and priorities, as articulated in the Government Programme. We are bringing public expenditure back onto a sustainable path and driving forward the Public Service reform agenda to ensure that efficiencies and reformed work practices play a full part in contributing to the overall budgetary consolidation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Procurement Service Framework Agreements (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The National Procurement Service (NPS) is focused on developing centralised arrangements for the procurement of goods and services used commonly across the public service nationwide. The benefits arising from these central arrangements include: cash savings; administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering; greater purchasing expertise; improved consistency; and enhanced service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I can confirm that the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) issued the Contracts for sale to the legal Department of Kerry County Council on the 3rd May for execution. A reminder for the return of same was issued on the 31st May. As soon as Kerry County Council return the contracts to the CSSO the matter will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Topical Issue Debate (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Twenty five topical issues were selected for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform since March 2011. Twelve topical issues were specific issues related to the Office of Public Works of which ten were taken by the Minister responsible, Minister of State Brian Hayes and two by another Minister. Thirteen topical issues were specific to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Transport (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question the following is a table of the total cost of Ministerial transport since the formation of my Department in 2011: Type of Expenditure Number of Staff 2011 Amount 2012 Amount 2013 Amount Minister Drivers Salaries 2 €31,136.68 €63,811.26 €31,277.94 Drivers Expenses 2 €14,617.36 €24,567.91...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question my Department, since it's inception, used photography services on three occasions. In 2012 photography services were used for the Public Service Excellence Awards held in Dublin Castle which amounted to €811.52. In 2013 two EUPAN conference events were held in Dublin Castle at a cost of €104.55 each. I understand that the Office of Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question my Department did not engage in any Newspaper supplements in any of the three years mentioned.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The analysis to which the Deputy's question refers is confidential and highly commercially sensitive and I do not propose to release it.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (25 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 to 329, inclusive, together. The Government approved the publication of the Valuation (Amendment) Bill, 2012 on 3rd August, 2012 and the 2nd stage debate was taken in Seanad Éireann on 11th October, 2012. Revaluation of all rateable properties across the State is a priority for Government and is a feature of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Revaluation of all rateable properties across the State is a priority for Government and is a feature of the Action Plan for Jobs 2012. The national revaluation programme aims to provide up-to-date valuations for individual properties across all economic sectors that are subject to local authority rates. It is an important programme, especially given the significant changes that have...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Licence Sale (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Under the next National Lottery licence, annual contributions for Good Causes will be set at 65% of Gross Gaming Revenues. Gross Gaming Revenues are defined as the level of sales less the amount deducted for prizes. As the Deputy is aware, the successful bidder for the next licence will also be required to make an upfront payment to the State in return for a 20 year licence to operate the...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Senator Byrne. I can give the reassurance formally on the floor of the House that there is no compulsory redeployment implicit in the legislation. The provision was included to facilitate cross-sectoral redeployment that does not exist at present and to facilitate the PAS in its role. Senator Byrne has correctly interpreted the legislation. Respect for all of the agreements will...

Seanad: Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The amendment simply seeks to replace "or" with "and". For consistency, I spoke with the House about the approach to the Haddington Road proposals. I have considered amendment No. 3 since we debated it here on Committee Stage. I was concerned that the provision, as drafted, could be interpreted as enabling PAS to decide, in a given case, to have regard to a collective agreement to the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am well aware of Deputy Fleming's view on the matter and he has articulated it comprehensively and well on Second Stage. He understands the position I will present as well. Following the establishment of my Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in 2011, I was given responsibility to oversee public sector policy and the management of overall departmental expenditure. That is the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I thought the Deputy was reconstructing.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In the context of the annual budget, there are two presentations now, one of which is the presentation on the expenditure side. The Minister for Finance makes the overarching presentation, which covers the taxation side, on the same day. The total financial parameters, including the State's borrowing requirement, are part of the budgetary arithmetic that is formally voted on and accepted....

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is in the budgetary arithmetic, yes.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Yes.