Results 18,861-18,880 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Measures (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the nine pieces of legislation enacted by my Department from 2013 to date, including any commencement orders, if required. Name Enacted Summary Date Ministerial Order signed to commence Act Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2013 26/02/2013 (No. 3 of 2013) to amend the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The management of the tendering process for a public contract is a matter for each contracting authority.  It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to ensure that tenderers comply with all the requirements of the process.  Prior to the award of a public contract of a value of €10,000 (inclusive of VAT) or more within any 12-month period, the successful...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Responsibilities (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: While the Minister of State at my Department has carried out numerous functions on my behalf, particularly in relation to the Office of Public Works and Public Service Reform, no Order under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment)(No. 2) Act 1977 delegating functions to the Minister of State has been signed by me.  The senior civil servants with overall reporting responsibility in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Haddington Road Agreement made provision to address the imbalance between those who entered the Public Service since 2011 and those who entered before that date. In accordance with the Agreement revised incremental salary scales are being implemented in each public service sector for same grade entrants that incorporate the revision of salary introduced by Government in January...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Haddington Road Agreement provides for the standard working week for a public servant with a working week of 35 hours or less to increase to 37 hours a week.  The detailed implementation of this measure is a matter for local management in each public service sector in line with the operational requirements of the relevant sector.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Under the terms of the Haddington Road Agreement, it was agreed that Management would allow people to remain on their pre-Haddington Road hours with appropriate pay adjustments for a set period of time.  The Agreement provided that following this period the new work sharing provisions which are set out in the Haddington Road Agreement should apply. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Programme Expenditure (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The management of housing policy and making provision for expenditure on housing  is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider. An allocation of €38.6m was made in Budget 2014 for Private Housing Grants which represented a 10% increase on the 2013 allocation. The Deputy will be aware that I...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Unfortunately the majority of suppliers registered in eTenders have not provided accurate company profile information including company registered address so we cannot report accurately on a break down by county of awards won by domestic companies above OJEU thresholds.  We are currently enhancing eTenders to encourage suppliers to enter accurate and complete company details and expect...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Government published the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 on 3rd August, 2012 as part of its legislative programme. The Bill proceeded through its second stage in Seanad Éireann on 11 October 2012. The primary purpose of the Bill is to accelerate the national programme of revaluing every commercial and industrial property in the country which is being undertaken by the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the OPW, in association with Galway County Council, has developed a Flood Relief Scheme, under the Arterial Drainage Acts, for the Clare River in the environs of Claregalway. The Scheme has been approved by the Commissioners of Public Works and has been submitted to me for approval, in accordance with the requirements of the Arterial...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Grievance Procedures (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: There are range of mechanisms available in the civil service for dealing with complaints from staff. The most appropriate mechanism depends on the specific nature of the complaint. My Department has both put in place and is actively introducing the following policies that apply across the Civil Service: - The Positive Working Environment policy includes procedures for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Programme (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The frustration that many contractors experience when faced with non-payment is understood and is being acted upon by Government.  However, drafting legislation that cuts across the conventions of contract law and, in particular, to intervene in private agreements between individuals is not undertaken lightly.  The mechanisms required for the successful delivery of the legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Harbours and Piers Funding (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that last February's storms caused damage to a section of the landing slip on the Island. Following technical assessment by both Kerry County Council and the Commissioners proposals are being finalised to carry-out necessary repair work. Funding has been sought from a number of sources with a view to executing the works in the near future.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Protection (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the coastal protection and coastal flood defence works arising from storm damage in County Galway that have been approved for funding by the OPW in line with the Government decision of 11thFebruary 2014 are shown inthe following table: Location Description Approved funding Causeway...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that a programme of works to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities has been carried out at Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry. A new lift and stairs have been provided internally and a ramp has been installed at first floor level which accommodates the change in level between the two parts of the house. The upper floors...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Standards in Public Office Act 2001 provides for the adoption of codes of conduct, which would set down the standards of conduct and integrity to be followed by public servants and public representatives in the performance of their functions. To date, codes have been published under the Ethics Acts for office holders, TDs, Senators, civil servants, and under the Local Government...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (12 Jun 2014)

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

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 1:In page 5, line 19, to delete "not later than the end of the period of 5 years" and substitute "not later than the end of the period of 3 years".Deputy Sean Fleming will recall that we engaged in a long debate on Committee Stage on foot of an amendment he tabled to section 2 in respect of what might constitute an appropriate timeframe within which a review of the...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 2:In page 6, to delete line 5 and substitute the following:“ “employee” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and includes an individual who is deemed to be an employee by virtue of subsection (2)(a);”.The amendments in this group could be characterised as essentially technical in nature. However, they are...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report Stage (12 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 3:In page 6, to delete lines 6 to 19 and substitute the following:“ “employer”, in relation to a worker, means, subject to subsection (2)(c)— (a) in the case of an individual who is a worker by virtue of paragraph (a) of the definition of that term, the person with whom the worker entered into, or for whom the worker works or worked under, the...