Results 17,441-17,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: A whole range of changes have been made in that area. I would rather address what Deputy Stanton had to say, because he has some knowledge in the area, with respect. The answer to the question regarding the non-implementation of primary legislation is that the implementation is resource-led. It is about providing in the first instance for those in the younger age group through the Education...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----are up for discussion, and those service providers will have to try to find ways of dealing with these issues while protecting the front line, as other providers have done by implementing the efficiencies that were asked for. It is a question of everybody facing up to the challenge. There are a number of substantive issues that can be discussed with them, including savings in areas...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: My sincerity is no less than anyone's, including Deputy McCormack's.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: My sincerity in trying to find a constructive solution to this problem is no less than that of anyone else. The mental capacity Bill, which is expected to be published next session, forms an important part of what is required to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Work on the implementation of the various other provisions in that convention, which are...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no legislation required in that regard. The work is ongoing in the Department. The Deputy acknowledges that work is being done in that area.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The health information Bill will be introduced later this year. There are no dates for the other two Bills. The Deputy mentioned the licensing of health facilities Bill. When we introduce the licensing arrangements, it will represent an improvement to the health service in terms of implementing standards and making sure we provide a level of service that people expect. Where that does not...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputies play for all sides when it suits. It is a luxury they have.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. It is a luxury they have and the record will show that is how they play it. If we are to have licensing arrangements, as the Deputy is calling for, he must accept that when issues are not being dealt with or standards are not being reached, there must be consequences. Often, unfortunately, when that is the outcome of improvements, Opposition Members come in and say we cannot follow...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Well, unfortunately-----

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have seen the Deputy's reaction to a number of issues that have been raised in recent times, and that is precisely what he does.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy for his inquiry. It is an issue to which I referred recently. Work is being undertaken to deal with the matter this year and I expect we will have it in the next session.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: We have brought forward legislation, through the commissions of inquiry legislation, to deal with those issues in a far more effective manner than through the 2004 Act, which as we know from experience has major cost implications, even in matters of public importance. These are often not dealt with with the speed people would expect because of the issues that arise in terms of witnesses etc....

European Council: Statements (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 17 June. The meeting was unusual in that it took place on one day rather than the usual two-day format for our annual June meeting. That aside, however, in terms of its business the meeting was in many ways the first relatively normal meeting of the European Council this year. While we are still in the midst of ongoing economic...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The table below details payments made by my Department in respect of carbon emissions from 14 June 2007 to 31 December 2009. In the case of offsets for travel on the Government jet, these relate to all Ministers and Officials, and not solely to the Department of the Taoiseach. Payments have issued to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) who have been charged with...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department has no decentralised offices.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The following table details spend by my Department on public advertisements, in national and local print media, radio and television, from 2009 to end of June in 2010. Details of payments made in respect of Advertising Costs from Jan 2009 to date Date Details Amount Aug-09 Advertising for National Day of Commemoration €3,706 Aug-09* 1⁄2 page advertisement for the Taoiseach's Public...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Live Register series gives a monthly breakdown of the number of people claiming Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance and other registrants as registered with the Department of Social Protection. Figures are published for each county and local social welfare office. The most recent Live Register figures available are for June 2010. The table below contains the numbers signing on in...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Of the 167 civil servants currently serving in my Department, 20 have applied through the Central Applications Facility (CAF) to relocate under the Decentralisation Programme. The breakdown by grade is: Assistant Principal 5 Higher Executive Officer 4 Administrative Officer 2 Executive Officer 4 Clerical Officer 5 32 former members of staff have already been assigned to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The annual training budget has been reduced in recent years in line with cost savings throughout my Department. The training budget in the 2010 Estimates was €433,000. Whilst the initial budget allocation made in the Estimates has not been reduced, the Training Unit will, as always, return savings if the allocation is not spent or is not likely to be spent in the year. Total expenditure to...

Leaders' Questions (29 Sep 2010)

Brian Cowen: The guiding principles the Government has always adopted in all interventions, from the State guarantee onwards, have been to provide a financial system that will service industry, business and households and that will safeguard the lifeblood of the economy. It is unfortunate that Deputy Kenny continues to portray the motivation of the Government as being anything than that. The Deputy then...