Results 18,961-18,980 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (18 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Recruitment to the civil service and a range of other public bodies is handled under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 which established a central recruitment agency, the Public Appointments Service (PAS), for this purpose.  The PAS operates under licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments and is independent in its operations. No...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. It would be a breach of the EU rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds such as nationality, organisational size, etc. and there are legal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Projects (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that they have not received a request for a meeting with the Lough Mask Heritage Group. Work has been continuing in relation to the development of certain proposals relative to the Moran's Mill, Ballinrobe Conservation project which were agreed with the Lough Mask Group prior to Christmas 2013 without delay. Arrangements will be advanced...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Remuneration (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no  unapproved salary top-ups are currently being paid by my Department, or bodies under the remit of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Since this Government took office in 2011, sustainable and far reaching Public Service Reform has been a key element of our strategy to meet the significant challenges that have faced the country.  Our commitment to reform was highlighted at the outset by the creation of a new Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Government published its first Public Service Reform...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Legislation (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Freedom of Information Bill 2013 which passed Committee Stage in the Dáil last November and is scheduled for Report Stage on 16 and 17 July reflects the outcome of a detailed and comprehensive review of Ireland's FOI legislation.  In overall terms the Bill comprises a substantial updating and modernisation of FOI legislation based on international best practice, it extends FOI...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Assets (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy will recall my announcement in February 2012 of the scope and content of the State Assets Disposal Programme that was agreed by Government. NewERA subsequently prepared financial reports, including valuations, on the assets announced in the disposal programme.  As no additional State assets are under consideration...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (19 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Haddington Road Agreement (HRA), which came into force on 1 July 2013, included a number of measures including pay reductions for those public servants on annual salaries of €65,000 or more under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2013. These measures  provided for a reduction of the  public service pay and pensions bill by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I wish to point out that the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act, 2001 and that I, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, have no function in decisions in this regard.  The Valuation Act, 2001, which came into effect on 2 May 2002, provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose including constructions...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there are no guidelines, required by legislation or otherwise, of the kind referenced in the Question relating to national monuments, historic properties and parklands in the care and management of the Commissioners.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Pensions (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together. Under the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 2009, Ministerial pensions are, since the last general election (2011), no longer payable to sitting Members of the Oireachtas. In this context no serving Minister is in receipt of a Ministerial pension. Qualifying officeholders only receive one...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 12 June. Pay and non-pay expenditure measures for 2014 were set out in the Expenditure Report 2014.  In relation to non-pay expenditure measures introduced in the Expenditure Report 2014, the impact in 2015 is expected to be broadly equivalent to the 2014 impact as published in the Expenditure Report. In relation to pay...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Government is committed to ensuring that SMEs are fully engaged with public sector procurement and the opportunities presenting. The purpose of the new guidelines and procedures in Circular 10/14 are to ensure that engaging with government procurement is easy and low cost.  The initiatives announced will open up opportunities for small businesses to bid for State business and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has recently finished reviewing and updating existing guidelines and procedures aimed at promoting SME participation in public procurement.  Circular 10/14, launched on 17 April, sets out new initiatives aimed at opening up opportunities for small businesses to bid for State business. Amongst the measures announced, the new guidance encourages...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that Mayo County Council submitted an application for funding under the OPW Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for works to prevent water infiltration through the river walls on the left bank of the River Moy at the location referred to. The application was not approved as it is the OPW's view that other factors may be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I have been informed by the Pensions Authority that this company has been deemed by them as eligible to make an application to join the Pensions Insolvency Payments Scheme (PIPS). I have not received an application to date but should one be received it will be processed in a timely fashion.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The basis of rateable valuation for all property is "net annual value", i.e. the rental value of the property and is set out in Part 11 of the Valuation Act, 2001.  In accordance with well established valuation principles and case law, various methodologies may be used in estimating the net annual value (NAV)/rental value of the property.  The most common methodology used is direct...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Gender Balance Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together. My Department is responsible for the Civil Service Gender Equality Policy and the Diversity Policy.  Substantial progress has been made in relation to the objectives set out in the Civil Service Gender Equality Policy and the Diversity Policy which were reviewed in 2006, in particular, in relation to the specific targets set...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Anti-Racism Measures (24 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am aware of the PSEU Survey on anti racism and inter-culturalism in the Civil Service which was carried out in 2012. As an employer, the Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices.  My Department has  produced a Diversity Policy for the Civil Service entitled 'Diversity in the Civil Service - A Policy on Equality of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (26 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I refer the Deputy to the position as set out in PQ 11041/13 and 11518/13 of 5 March 2013.