Results 21,141-21,160 of 32,864 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Other Questions: Civil Service Reform (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy knows, this is the third iteration of what we have been doing in terms of Civil Service reform. In direct answer to his question on how we will make these things happen, two developments will allow for much of that. I will then conclude with an observation on the interesting point that the Deputy made about diversity and inclusion. First, we will soon set up a public...

Other Questions: Civil Service Reform (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy asked a number of questions. We will also have a strategic advisory board, whose job it will be to oversee the implementation of the strategy. Regarding salary levels and the retention of specialists, there could be an issue with a number of specialist roles across the public service. I have asked the Public Service Pay Commission to investigate the matter, beginning with the...

Other Questions: Civil Service Reform (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy is right, in that the strategy points to customer engagement as something that we need to do even better in future. It is something we have begun to do a lot of work on over the past 18 months. The two examples I offer to the Deputy are, first, the survey the Minister for Health launched during this week regarding the patient experience for people looking to enter hospital and,...

Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 157 together. As I announced in budget 2018, the Government has allocated significant increases in public capital investment amounting to €4.3 billion over the period 2018-21. This was in addition to the additional €2.2 billion for housing already allocated prior to that for the implementation of the Action Plan for Housing and...

Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a priority and we want to advance a number of projects we believe will benefit many of our citizens. I would point to what we want to achieve in the housing area, where signs of progress are beginning to become tangible. We need to see more of that happening next year. I look at parts of Dublin with which I am familiar and see, for example, the opening of Broome Lodge in Cabra....

Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We will see them move ahead soon.

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: On foot of the Deputy raising this matter, I asked the Department to do some work for me to tell me how much funding goes to section 39 organisations and what has been the trend in that funding over the past few years. I also asked for an update on whether organisations implemented pay reductions that were consistent with the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, and if...

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Department of Health and in particular the HSE will receive additional funding next year of over €580 million. Deputy Burton referred to the Supplementary Estimate of €180 million that went through the House some days ago in respect of health, a portion of which was to continue to fund an access plan later this year but most of it was to continue to contribute to the...

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I have not attempted in any way to under appreciate the contribution these workers make or the value of these organisations. I am making the point that the funding available to these organisations has gone up substantially over recent years. I have every reason to expect that upon publication of the HSE service action plan funding for those organisations will go up again next year, as it...

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: If I came in here and told the Deputy that I am going to create a socialist republic in which the means of production are owned by every citizen of Ireland and would guarantee basic State income for everyone, it would not be good enough for him. This is a progressive measure that has been well recognised, appreciated and noted by unions, those they represent and civil and public servants...

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The chances of a socialist republic coming about will always be significantly reduced by the unwillingness of the Deputy and those in his party to take any position of responsibility or to ever seek to enter office to better those whom we represent and take the inevitable consequences involved in holding public office. I do not know who the Deputy is looking at over here when he speaks...

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not a member of any establishment. I represent the people of Dublin Central. I do not represent the 1% of which the Deputy speaks. I am trying to make good decisions, which involve compromise, for the betterment of all. This is a sensible decision. The Deputy is right that there will be changes in the retirement age between 2021 and 2028. This is about ensuring that we have a State...

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The particular work of these organisations in the community and voluntary sector is greatly appreciated, particularly in light of their commitment, dedication and hard work. The organisations deliver a wide array of much-needed support services at community level to a very varied range of users on a day-to-day basis throughout the year. The Deputy will be aware, however, that the...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 9 and 18 together. As specified in section 43(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the Information Commissioner is fully independent in the performance of his functions, including those under section 44 of the Act. I have reviewed this area and I have no plans to amend the Act to allow for a Minister to instruct the commissioner in this regard....

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Wallace and I have that in common anyway. On his point in relation to a freedom of information request, there is an economic cost involved in meeting freedom of information requests. I am sure what the Department told the Deputy is correct, that it would take four civil servants that period of time to meet his request which means there is other work that cannot be done by them....

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I cannot comment on the particular incident that the Deputy has referred to in relation to NAMA because I am not aware of it. I cannot comment on something unless I have more information on it. By and large, public bodies should be retaining all of their records that support decisions, either in relation to individuals or policy matters. However, it is the case, certainly at political...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As I said, I will not comment on the NAMA matter that Deputy Wallace has raised with me until I have more information on it and I can see was that decision taken and why. When I have had a look at that, I will be in a position to comment better on the matter.

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will be aware that last week the Government decided to increase the compulsory retirement age from 65 to 70 for public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. I announced this on Wednesday last with the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donovan and Moran. The decision to remain at work beyond the age of 65 will be completely voluntary on the part of the employee. There will be no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I want our country to do better on climate change. The national planning framework will not reference capital projects. It is not its role to do so, rather it is the role of the capital plan. The capital plan will make provision for how we can do better in responding to the challenge of climate change and that is something we need to do. As the Deputy is well aware, the long-term...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will no doubt be aware – I am sure he has welcomed it – we have just had the opening of Luas Cross City this week. That is an example of the kind of public transport of which we need more. I am aware of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly, but the assembly has the ability to consider each item in isolation whereas I do not. I have to pull everything...