Results 18,401-18,420 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Meetings (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no requests by Philanthropy Ireland to meet in 2011, 2012 or 2013 were received by my Department nor has my Department met with Philanthropy Ireland in any of those years.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Savings (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As I noted in my original response to Mr. Timmons of 11 December, 2013, the Haddington Road Agreement will make a significant contribution of €1 billion to delivering on our fiscal targets. While some of these monetary savings will be delivered through direct pay reductions, those reductions only apply to higher paid public servants those earning over €65,000 or 13% of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the issue of salaries including pensions and any other bonus related additions including company cars of chief executive officers in commercial State bodies does not arise in relation to my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Issues (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together. As I have said previously my Department considers that the regular preparation and publication of actuarial assessments of public service pension provision is an important part of policy formation. The most recent C&AG actuarial exercise on the cost of public sector occupational pensions showed the accrued liability to have been...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Staff (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question there are two civil servants engaged part-time in constituency work on my behalf.   The Salary Scales for the clerical officer grade are as follows: Grade Salary Scale Clerical Officer (CO) €23,042 - €36,267 Clerical Officer (CO) €23,177 -...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Sick Leave (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service Management (Sick Leave) Regulations, SI 124 of 2014, were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 6th March 2014.  Notification of the Regulations was published in Irish Oifigúil on 11th March 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Programme for Government Implementation (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question, in the table below I have provided an update on the status of my Department's commitments under the Programme for Government. As can be seen from this update significant progress has been made in my Department. The progress identified to date clearly shows that the Government has focused its attention on the decisions and reforms needed to achieve...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Proposed Legislation (25 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Government's decision to proceed with the Regulation of Lobbying Bill 2014 marked a significant step in bringing greater openness to the important process of interaction between the political and administrative systems and all sectors of society who seek to influence specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions.  The General Scheme of the Regulation of Lobbying...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Retirements (26 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The rules, including legislative provisions, governing the ages at which public servants may be compelled to retire on age grounds vary both across sectors and by reference to the date of recruitment.  In addition, the relevant Minister or authority may have responsibility for setting compulsory retirement ages in employment in respect of particular segments of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Expenses (26 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the issue of assistant principals and principal officers using their private cars and claiming unvouched expenses when official cars are available does not arise in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations Refurbishment (26 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Commissioners of Public Works undertake refurbishments and routine maintenance at Garda Stations on foot of requests from An Garda Síochána. The Commissioners do not currently have a request for such works at Castlemaine Garda Station.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Recruitment (27 Mar 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The recent Administrative Officer competition comprised five separate specialist streams: Human Resources, Law, Banking and Finance, Economics, Tax Policy. To date, the following numbers from each stream have been assigned: Administrative Officer Competition 2013/14 Appointments by Stream Number Human Resources         6...

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Order for Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We held a good discussion on this point on Committee Stage. I accept the Deputy's intention, but I still consider it proper that the administration of this allowance be the responsibility of the person who is accountable for it, that is, the leader of a qualifying political party. I will clarify the current system. The allowance is paid electronically into a specified account, the details...

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: That is my point.

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: With amendment No. 4.

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We wish her well.

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I have not spoken on it yet.

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We have had a long debate on this issue, which is entirely extraneous to the issues of the Bill. This is not new legislation to create the funding model to which the Deputies, who have spoken on these amendments, are referring - this has been the practice. The first purpose of the Bill is to reduce the full quantum of money available to fund political parties in recognition of the...

Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Report Stage (1 Apr 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, I presume the child's name is Bradford. I wish her well. In terms of the points made, the Deputy talked about there being exceptions, for example, when we had a move across the House during the course of a Dáil, as in 1994. However, it of course makes sense to rebalance when the resources of Government suddenly become available to a party and are taken away from another party....