Results 321-340 of 9,898 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is responsible for overall policy relating to pension abatement. The principle of abatement of a public service pension is longstanding within the rules of various public service pension schemes, and pension abatement is an important aspect of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 (the “2012 Act”). ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Closed-Circuit Television Systems (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has implemented appropriate and relevant physical security measures to ensure the ongoing protection of the organisation and its staff. These measures follow industry best practice and are fully compliant with the relevant Data Protection legislation. For operational and security reasons, it is not considered appropriate to disclose the details...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Policies (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: During 2025, the staff of my Department have worked collaboratively on a wide range of policies and initiatives to deliver on the strategic goals set out in the Department's Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 to drive the delivery of better public services, living standards and infrastructure for the people of Ireland under three key strategic goals: Enhancing Governance; Building Capacity; and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Any queries in relation to cost estimates of changes to An Garda Síochána pay arrangements are a matter for the Department of Justice. It is important to note that any changes to pay terms and conditions of public servants can only be considered within the parameters of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: An Garda Síochána (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Any queries in relation to cost estimates of changes to An Garda Síochána pay arrangements are a matter for the Department of Justice. It is important to note that any changes to pay terms and conditions of public servants can only be considered within the parameters of the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ombudsman and Information Commissioner (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The Ombudsman's role is to examine complaints from members of the public who believe that they have been unfairly treated by certain public service providers such as government departments, local authorities, the HSE, public hospitals, public funded third level education bodies and public and private nursing homes. The Office does not have a specific role in respect of public procurement. It...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: International Bodies (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I would like to thank the Deputy for her question. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has comprehensive legislation to protect workers who raise concerns about wrongdoing in the workplace. The Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014. This legislation was further enhanced by the Protected Disclosures Amendment Act 2022 (the 2022 Act). Exchequer grant support has been provided to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The current living wage, as set out by the Living Wage Technical Group, is €14.75 per hour. In relation to the civil service, for which my Department holds detailed data, €14.75 based on the civil service 35 hour standard net working week equates to an annual salary of approximately €26,938. Detailed data on civil service staff indicates that, on a full time equivalent...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The Office of Public Works, as the lead agency for flood risk management, is coordinating the delivery of measures towards meeting the Government’s National Flood Risk Policy. In 2018, the OPW completed the largest study of flood risk ever undertaken by the State: the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The CFRAM Programme studied 80% of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Former Officeholders, such as those referred to in the PQ, only qualify for a pension if they are no longer a member of the Dáil, Seanad, or European Parliament, and have fulfilled the required criteria to receive such a pension. Pension entitlements for Officeholders (including retired Taoisigh, Tánaistí, Presidents, Ministers and Cinn Comhairle) and TDs are set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: In October 2024, the Office of Public Works approved €5.8m in funding for Cork County Council to make Individual Property Protection (IPP) available free of charge to an estimated 923 home and business owners who were impacted by Storm Babet (October 2023) in Midleton (749) and East Cork (174). The Midleton and East Cork IPP Scheme, which is a Cork County Council scheme opened for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Wildlife Protection (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Licenses for firework displays are granted by the Department of Justice as they are the department responsible for licensing the import, storage and the use of fireworks including for public and private displays. My officials have advised me that such a licence was obtained. The Office of Public Works was aware of the firework display and through the park ranger service, monitored the wild...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Weather Events (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: In terms of public services, I agree there are real opportunities to exploit satellite and other emerging technologies, in particular for “blue light” services. I have asked my officials to develop options for me in this regard and this work is currently underway.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Strategies (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The following national strategies, action plans and other documents that could be described as such are currently in operation and under the remit of my Department:The PEACEPLUS Programme 2021-2027.Partnership Agreement 2021-2027.Interreg North-West Europe 2021-2027.(Interreg VI-B) Atlantic Area.(Interreg VI-B) Northern Periphery and Arctic.Interreg Europe.Interreg VI-C Interact.The Interreg...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Heritage Sites (15 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is engaging with Kildare Innovation Campus (KIC) in respect of a proposed car parking facility for visitors to Castletown House which would be located on KIC lands that adjoin the historic demesne. As the Deputy will be aware, this is a complex issue and the OPW is working with a range of stakeholders to examine the issues relating to this proposal. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I am providing the Deputy with a separate document that provides the detailed information sought.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Artificial Intelligence (10 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Following its publication of the Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Service, my Department recently agreed an internal AI strategy at Management Board level. The strategy is fully aligned with the aforementioned Guidelines and covers how AI should be used in the context of the work of the Department. The Department has started trialling the use of a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (9 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy may be aware, I have overall policy responsibility in relation to public service occupational pension schemes payable to retired public servants. Responsibility for the administration of sectoral pension schemes resides with the relevant Government Department or public service body in the first instance, subject to the overarching policy framework set out by my Department. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Government Reform (9 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: We have committed in our Programme for Government to “update the Ethics in Public Office legislation”. This follows on from a wide-ranging review of the statutory framework that my Department undertook during the last Government, the Report and findings of which were published in February 2023. I am now moving to consider in detail the outstanding policy issues in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. This was the only instance of the provision of training of the nature specified. Year Training Programme Training Provider Attendee grade Cost 2018 Dealing with the Media Irish Times Training HEO €98