Results 19,701-19,720 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts Data (6 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the total amount spent on external reports commissioned by my Department since its inception in 2011: Name of External Report Costs Date of Commission Date or Expected Date of Publication Name of External Consultant Independent verification of savings arising under the Public Service Agreement €35,819.80 16 May 2011...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Issues (6 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Responsibility for developing housing policy,  proposals for its  funding and implementation  are primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. As indicated in my announcement of  a €2.2 billion investment for social housing  in the Budget, I understand that he will be shortly...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Fiscal Policy (6 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 85 and 86 to 89, inclusive, together. The Deputy will note that Ireland is no longer subject to the Troika programme as this was successfully exited at end-2013. There remain, however, annual deficit ceilings set out in the Excessive Deficit Procedure which the Government must meet, and our fiscal policies are predicated on achieving these. To...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (6 Nov 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. As the Deputy will be aware, we published our first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011. A...

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

Brendan Howlin: As I announced on Budget Day last month, I will seek to put in place new arrangements to replace the Moratorium on Recruitment and Promotion in the Public Service from 2015 onwards.  This will be subject to the issuance of formal delegated sanction by my Department to all other Government Departments and Offices, in return for agreed commitments by them to manage staff...

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

Brendan Howlin: The term of the previous Chairman of the Public Appointments Service expired on 31st August 2014, and he stepped down on that date, having served two three-year terms.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Occupational Injuries Benefit (11 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that the occupational injuries scheme which applies to the generality of the Civil Service applies to employees in the Office of Public Works.  It would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual cases.  In this context, my comments will be in relation to the general Civil Service scheme for occupational injuries. Civil servants who have been classified as...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Authority Rates (11 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act, 2001, which came into effect on 2 May 2002, provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Such exempt buildings would principally include those used for public worship, education and health care provided on a not-for-profit basis, and charitable...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Contracts (11 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Under EU Directives contracting authorities are obliged to publish Contract Award Notices for contracts above certain thresholds in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) via the national public procurement website . The current thresholds (exclusive of VAT) are as follows works contracts - €5,186,000; supplies and services contracts of Government...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Levy (18 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The public service Pension-related Deduction (PRD), referred to as "the pension levy" in the Deputy's question, was introduced in March 2009 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.  PRD is a progressively structured multi-band reduction imposed on the pay of pensionable public servants. Based on the current PRD rates structure across...

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

Brendan Howlin: In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for recruitment to the Civil Service. All such recruitment is governed by the Public Service (Management and Recruitment) Act 2004. Under the Act, the only method of appointment to a Civil Service post - either permanent or fixed-term - is as result of being successful in a competition run...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Exemptions (18 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act, 2001 provides for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches, land on golf courses, tennis courts, etc. In relation to the valuation of buildings occupied by a club affiliated to a sporting organisation, the position is that the 2001 Act also provides for the exemption from rates of "Community Halls". To be classified as a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Rehiring (18 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Since the establishment of my Department in 2011, two retired Civil Servants have been awarded temporary contracts following an open competition held by the Public Appointments Service.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Funding Applications (18 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The proceeds of the National Lottery are remitted to the Exchequer which, in turn, provides the funds for good causes.  Appendix 1 of the Revised Estimates for Public Services, which is published each year, gives a breakdown by Department of all the expenditure areas that are supported by the proceeds of the National Lottery. Policy issues in relation to immigration are a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Legislation (18 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Freedom of Information Act 2014 became law on 14 October 2014, the date it was signed by the President. All new FOI requests received after that date are being processed under the new Act. The €15 initial application fee was abolished from 14 October when the new FOI Act came into effect.Other than in relation to the initial application fee, all elements of the new fees...

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

Brendan Howlin: I have no current proposals to extend the grace period for public servants including teachers beyond end June 2015.

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I did. I cut them by 35%.

Water Sector Reforms: Motion (19 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Attack the officers of the House.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Allowances (19 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Deputies, including Ministers, are entitled to 625 pre-paid envelopes per month as set out in Regulation 8 of Statutory Instrument no. 184 of 2010 as amended by Statutory Instrument no 328 of 2011 and Statutory Instrument no 149 of 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Transport (19 Nov 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following tables outline the ministerial transport costs for my Department since its inception: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Ministerial Costs - 2011 € 2012 € 2013 € Ministerial Travel & Subsistence 8,799.04 12,826.98 12,656.51 Minister's Drivers Travel & Subsistence 16,767.23 24,171.01...