Results 19,301-19,320 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Applications (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together. I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works in relation to the proposed flood relief scheme for Skibbereen the position is that the detailed design of the Scheme is nearing completion. The first stage of the procurement process for a civil works contractor to undertake the works has been commenced by Cork County Council, which is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is an independent statutory body and as such I have no role in the setting of its review procedures. My Department has been informed, however, that following the recent judgement on a Judicial Review case relating to, inter alia, the review procedures available under its Codes of Practice, the Commission has no plans to make any changes...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commencement of Legislation (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the only Act currently in force, for which I have lead responsibility, that has parts or sections yet to be formally commenced is the Construction Contracts Act 2013. The aim of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 is to have a new system which will both reduce the non-payment exposure of subcontractors and provide some effective remedy for them should...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Cork County Council submitted an application in 2013 under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for funding to carry out a flood risk assessment and to produce an outline design of flood relief proposals for Ballinhassig. The OPW wrote to the Council in August of last year indicating that it was not in a position to approve funding as...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Savings (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 279, inclusive, and 281 and 282 together. The key objective of the Haddington Road Agreement is to facilitate an underlying cost reduction of €1 billion in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Bill by 2016. The clear measure on which the delivery of the Haddington Road Agreement must be judged, therefore, is the impact that the various measures...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Levy (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) was introduced on 1 January 2011 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2010. PSPR is an actual reduction of pension, rather than a levy or deduction from pension. This means there is no actual flow of funds to the Exchequer or to the public finances generally from PSPR, and therefore there is no annual time series of PSPR...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) is being developed as an integrated cross-Government service to build capacity and expertise and to enhance the role of economics and value for money analysis in public policy making. The goals of the new Service are to:  - develop a professional economic and evaluation service that will provide high standards of economic and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Mergers (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, in 2011 the Government undertook a wide ranging and detailed review of State agencies across the public service, and this review process formed the basis of the State agency rationalisation programme.  This unprecedented programme of reform has resulted in almost 190 fewer State agencies, and there are a number of further...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Adviser Appointments (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The table below sets out the salary for the two Advisors in my Department. One Special Adviser, Mr Ronán O'Brien, was appointed at a single point salary, currently at €106,880, having regard to his previous earnings immediately before taking up this position.  Name Title Salary (on commencement) Anne Byrne Special Adviser (D/PER) €85,608, currently...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together. The Public Service Reform Plan aims to secure €20 million in enhanced service efficiencies and value-for-money from the rationalisation programme; a target that will be achieved.  The bulk of the savings are derived from a reduction in the number of public servants working in the merged entities and from other administrative...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Remuneration (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no bonus payments were made to staff under the aegis of my Department in 2013 or to date in 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware in 2011 the Government introduced new arrangements for the appointment of State board members.  Under the new arrangementsDepartments now invite expressions of interest on their websites from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis. It is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, political affiliations or geographical...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no chairperson appointed to State Boards under the aegis of my Department since March 2011 has appeared before their relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Rehiring (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, there were no retired public servants awarded temporary or term time posts in my Department. In 2014, two retired public servants were awarded temporary contracts through open competition with the Public Appointment Services.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Leader's Allowance Issues (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together. I refer to my reply to Question No. 283 (25340/14) of 17 June, 2014.  The Parliamentary Activities Allowance  is paid to the parliamentary leader of a "qualifying party", or the equivalent independent member, to pay for expenses arising from the parliamentary activities, including research, of the party or member...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating, based on the estimate submitted by the Council to that Department, that up to €1,226,920 is available to the Council to undertake the necessary repair works to damaged coastal protection and flood defence infrastructure. The Council submitted an overall programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Programme for Government Implementation (17 Jul 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: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I currently have 2 special advisers in my Department. Their details are set out below. Name Title Salary (per annum) Anne Byrne Special Adviser (D/PER) €84,706 with effect from March 2014 Ronan O'Brien Special Adviser (D/PER) €106,880 with effect May 2014 

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Gender Balance Issues (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware in 2011 the Government introduced new arrangements for the appointment of State board members.  Under the new arrangements Departments now invite expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis on their websites. It is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, political affiliations or geographical...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Programme for Government Priorities (17 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In answer to the Deputy's question my priorities for the remainder of my term in office are consistent with the priorities outlined in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 published by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton on Friday 11 July last.  In the area of responsible and sustainable management of the public finances in addition to working towards...