Results 3,461-3,480 of 5,098 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Freedom of Information Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members] (3 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: We can see from the Government amendment that it is, at best, kicking the can down the road by having a Second Reading in nine months and, at worst, shooting this legislation down. As I have said previously to the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Ossian Smyth, we are here to offer solutions. The Government asks us to offer solutions. However, it...

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: We are all acutely aware of the issues arising from the increases in the cost of living and the impact these have had in recent months. We have had debate after debate on this issue in the Chamber in recent weeks. We need to see strong action to help those who are struggling most. We have all seen the impact of the increases in the costs of electricity and fuel in our electricity bills. I...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Resolution Processes (3 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: 230. To ask the Minister for Finance the consequences for the rights of consumers in cases in which their mortgage is sold as in the case of an agreement between banks (details supplied); and if a guarantee will be given that all rights will be maintained in cases in which a mortgage transfers to the acquiring party. [5595/22]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (3 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: 237. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the framework for blended work arrangements in the public service; if he will be bringing forward legislation to support same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5594/22]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Sports Funding (3 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: 240. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if capital projects funded through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund are capped at 70% of the total project; if she has considered increasing this cap in view of rising building costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5597/22]

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: I apologise. My laptop decided to die and restart but here I am. All the questions I wanted to ask have been raised. We are seeing a rise in the cost of living with increasing inflation and that is affecting lower-income households in particular. In our alternative budget we suggested a €10 increase in working age payments, and that must be done urgently. Sometimes there is a...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Indexation of Taxation and Social Protection System: Discussion (Resumed) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: Unfortunately, all my other questions have been asked and I have to head off to another meeting. That is just my day-to-day. It has been very interesting. I thank the witnesses.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Stáit as teacht os comhair an choiste. I believe committees work better when witnesses are able to attend in person for the over-and-back discussion. While I understand that this is not always possible, now that we are moving towards asking people to work from their offices, it would be better, when possible, to have the witnesses...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: We are here to talk specifically about this. The Minister is aware there was public outrage at the time of the €81,000 increase. Is the Minister saying he only discovered that this was no longer being gifted when it appeared in media reports?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: The Secretary General did not notify the Minister directly.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank the Minister. I must say that the issue of the €81,000 increase has caused absolute public outcry and outrage. As I have said to the Minister before, the decision to grant that increase was completely out of touch. People are struggling at the moment. It was of interest that over the past two weeks, the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, raised concerns...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: We are aware of that.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: We also see that one staff member is going to be earning €298,000. We are aware of that. The point here specifically relates to that €81,000 pay increase. I must say it is concerning that there is no clarity out there as to whether the lack of a waiver of that €81,000 applied last year as well as this year. I am fully aware of the public service stability agreement...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: I will move on to Vote 11. There is reference to an almost 40% increase in costs related to travel. The increase is from €185,000 to €257,000. We have seen reports in recent times relating to the recommendation of the Garda Commissioner that some Ministers require Garda drivers. Can the Minister confirm if the increase relates in part to that? If it does not, where is this...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services
Vote 11 - Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 - State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 - National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 - Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 - Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (2 Feb 2022)

Mairéad Farrell: Yes. Is that reflected as part of those figures?