Results 19,561-19,580 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The focus of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is on well-managed and well-targeted public spending, through modernised, effective and accountable public services. The recently published Comptroller and Auditor General Report on the 'Accounts of the Public Service 2013' is part of the wider accountability framework for the delivery of these services. The report in question is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As I have previously advised the House, there is no embargo on recruitment in the Public Service.  To safeguard frontline and priority services, the Government has allowed for critical posts to be filled throughout the period of reduction of public service numbers.  In addition to this ongoing recruitment, special provision was made in last...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Gross voted expenditure has been reduced from its peak of €63.1 billion in 2009 to €54.5 billion in 2013.  This represents a reduction of approximately 13½ per cent between 2009 and 2013.  The gross voted expenditure allocation for 2014 is €53 billion. The implementation of these expenditure adjustments has contributed...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts Social Clause (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Social clauses in contracts place obligations on suppliers to perform actions focussed on broader policy considerations. They can be used in public procurement in cases where they are targeted at factoring into the procurement process consideration of social issues such as employment opportunities, equal opportunities and social inclusion.  In order to be compatible with EU law, they...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Under EU and national rules, the public procurement of works, supplies and service contracts above certain thresholds must be awarded on the basis of objective and non-restrictive criteria. The aim of these European 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 rules for a public body...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: All public bodies are already required under guidelines for the engagement of consultants to ensure that: - a firm business case is properly established prior to the engagement process; - consultancy services are acquired in the most economical manner in accordance withnational and EU rules on procurement, specifically that consultants are appointed in an open, competitive and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts Data (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: One of the key priorities set out in the Public Service Reform Plan is to reduce costs and achieve better value for money through reform of public procurement. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) was launched in July 2013 and operates as an office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The OGP is responsible for procurement policy and procedures and together with the four...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The restriction on recruitment and promotion in the Public Service has achieved two important objectives:  firstly, it has helped to reduce the Exchequer pay bill, which  had reached an unsustainable level; secondly, it has provided a real impetus for Public Service Reform and the roll out of new and more efficient ways of delivering public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 62 to 65, inclusive, together. Managing the delivery of public services within Departmental Budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department, and several measures are in place to help ensure that these budgetary targets continue to be met. My Department is in regular communication with all Departments and Offices to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Since this Government took office, sustainable and far reaching Public Service Reform has been a key element of our strategy to meet the challenges that have faced the country in recent years.  Public Service Reform will also continue to play a key role in our recovery.  We published our first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011.  A Progress Report...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Issues (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As part of the Estimates and Budgetary process for 2015, the Government will be considering all options for increasing the supply of social housing, including the funding of  the purchase of existing houses and the construction of new  houses by local authorities. 

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: My Department is currently finalising a review of the public capital programme with a view to setting the Government's investment strategy and capital budget for the five year period ahead. The key issues for the capital review will be the Governments economic and social priorities including the investments that would best support economic recovery and social progress. Full details will be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The key objectives for my department over the next five years, as I see it, will be: (a) To manage public expenditure at sustainable levels in a planned, rational and balanced manner in support of Ireland's economic development and social progress; and (b) To have public administration and Government structures that are transparent, effective, efficient, innovative,...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In fairness, he got off the ship.

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Today we are announcing the Government’s fourth budget. It is a significant day which marks the end of an era of budgetary austerity. This time last year, we estimated that to meet our budget deficit target, it would require further cuts of €1.3 billion on the spending side. That we are now in a position to increase expenditure, responsibly, indicates the progress we have...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: This will involve three main strands. First, more than €1.5 billion will be directly invested by the Exchequer by 2017. Second, public private partnerships will be used to invest €300 million in social housing units by 2017. Third, an off-balance sheet financial vehicle will provide at least €400 million from 2015 onwards to approved housing bodies. Turning...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: This will leverage private finance and provide at least another 2,000 housing units over the period 2016 to 2018. The Government believes it is entirely appropriate that the disposal of one State asset should finance a different State asset which meets an urgent social need. Overall, this large-scale investment will fund the provision of well in excess of 10,000 housing units between now...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We expect it to fall to 10.2% in 2015. We have created 76,600 net new jobs.

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The number of people now at work is as high as it was in 2009. Unemployment is still too high, but the employment support measures we have introduced are paying dividends. In 2015, €1.6 billion will be made available to provide approximately 300,000 work and training places in support of the Pathways to Work strategy. This will help people acquire the skills necessary to compete for...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Budget Statement 2015 (14 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy thinks that is funny, of course.