Results 17,021-17,040 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The reduced rate of €144 will apply to those reaching 25 from January 2014.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It should be noted that the rate for those availing of the back to education scheme is €160 per week. It is in education and training that our young people should be.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: We will also continue our support for employers across all sectors in creating and sustaining jobs. Our enterprise policies are continuing to secure new investments, employment and export growth. Taking account of requirements in these sectors, I am allocating total capital expenditure of just under €450 million for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to drive the jobs...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: This is a first step in our programme to provide free GP care for all.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am also allocating €20 million for the development of community mental health services as envisaged under A Vision for Change. I have agreed to a much reduced headcount savings target of 1,000 to protect front line health services. While health is a key priority for Government, the fact is that it accounts for 27% of public expenditure and, therefore, cannot be immune from making a...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Some €25 million will be saved by a lowering of the income thresholds for the over 70s medical cards to €900 per week for a couple and €500 for a single person and €30 million for private bed charges in public hospitals. Further details of the Health Estimates will be announced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, later today. Social Protection I am pleased...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: -----a measure that will save €44 million.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: We will standardise the rate of maternity benefit at €230 per week for new claimants from January. This will save €30 million in 2014.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The number of waiting days for entitlement to illness benefit is being increased from three days to six days. This will save €22 million.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: However, I am pleased that, again, I can confirm there will be no reduction in the basic social welfare rates for people of working age or for pensioners.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am pleased to confirm that child benefit rates are being maintained at €130 per month.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: And finally, there will be no reduction in the rate or the duration of the weekly fuel allowance. Further details of the social welfare package are set out in the expenditure report and will be outlined in full by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, later. Education As I have already outlined, education has been a considerable beneficiary of our capital investment programme...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am also making provision for the recruitment of more than 1,250 new classroom and resource teachers for the school system next year.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: A further €5 million will be allocated to extend the reach of the books-to-rent programme in primary schools. Justice We will be providing additional funding to the Department of Justice and Equality to increase staff for the Garda vetting service. Also in the justice sector, it is expected that the new court of appeal and the legal services regulatory authority will be established...

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Today, I am more than confident; I am certain. Yes, there will be difficult days ahead. Yes, there are still difficult decisions to be made, but we are now picking up speed and our goal is in sight. I commend these Estimates to the House.

Financial Resolutions 2014 - Budget Statement 2014 (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I would not rule out Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: International Agreements (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I understand based on the latest information available to my Department, that the Convention referred to in the Deputy’s question, which opened for signing on 18 June 2009, has been ratified by six of forty seven member States of the Council of Europe (i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Lithuania, Montenegro, Norway and Sweden). The Convention must be ratified by ten member...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Procurement Service Savings (15 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am keenly aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for Irish small and medium enterprises (SMEs). I am also aware of the need for Departments and Offices to make every effort to contain and reduce all administrative costs. The current programme of reform will lead to reductions in the cost of goods and services; better procurement services at lower cost;...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Programme (16 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question my Department has published sixteen Bills since June 2011 with four Bills requiring a Regulatory Impact Statement. The following is a list of the four Regulatory Impact Statements carried out: Name of Act Regulatory Impact Assessment carried out Construction Contracts Act RIA published on 27 September 2011. Signed into law on 29 July 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pensions Levy Issues (16 Oct 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The 0.6% levy on private pensions was introduced as a means to fund the implementation of the Jobs Initiative which, through current and capital expenditure measures, sought to facilitate job creation throughout the economy. Expenditure to date in respect of the Jobs Initiative is set out in the table below. This expenditure was funded by the private pensions levy and, where necessary,...