Results 401-420 of 9,898 for speaker:Jack Chambers

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: This issue obviously involves specific, individual circumstances which relate to the Ministers for foreign affairs and justice. I can ask the Ministers to respond to the Deputy as appropriate.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy is completely ignoring what is after happening over the last number of years. Childcare investment has quadrupled from €260 million in 2015 to €1.37 billion in 2025. This is significant State investment in childcare, along with the affordability supports that underpin it. The Minister, Deputy Foley, is ambitious to continue to do more to support parents with the...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The Deputy dismissed them in how she described them. They provide a really important part of supports for childcare across communities in this country. They also need to be supported in how we manage the budget process.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy Collins. The Government and the Minister, Deputy Calleary, are committed to continuing support for the islands. This is reflected in his submission to me as part of the national development plan but also in advance of budget 2026. I do not have specific detail relating to the individual allocations for the different islands the Deputy referred to but I will ask the Minister...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Since 2015, the population has been growing significantly and we have had a clear policy intent to support increased provision of public services in health, education and disability services. Part of the work we are doing as part of the medium-term expenditure framework is assessing what the appropriate number is in for the medium term in the context of the pay and numbers strategy, and what...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: My Department works with the protected disclosures national advisory group, a forum of disclosure managers from Departments, public bodies and prescribed persons to share best practice and identify any challenges that are emerging from the existing legislative framework. I will ask them to review what the Deputy has stated and feedback from others in the context of what he has said regarding...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I assure the Deputy that this is my genuine intention. A legislative framework must protect whistleblowers and those who make a protected disclosure. I will ask the advisory group, which consists of a number of members across different Departments, to review what the Deputy has said and indeed if there are any reforms-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I thank Deputy O'Flynn. I take with great seriousness the issues he has identified on the experience of individuals relating to the protected disclosures regime. As he knows, we have various legislation from 2014 up to 2022 reflecting the updated reforms introduced, some of which were introduced in the aftermath of some of the cases he has referenced, and reflecting best practice. Under...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: We will engage in a budget process in the coming weeks, and affordability for students will be a key component of that in terms of trying to continue the permanent changes that were made in recent years. That is the context in which every Government Minister will engage as part of budget 2026. We need to respect that. The measures will be outlined on budget day in October. On the...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: It is important we are clear on the budgetary context for budget 2026. Many of my Government colleagues have many priorities in their respective Departments and policy areas which they will commence negotiation on at the end of July and through August. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, has been clear that affordability for students is an important priority for him as part of his negotiation for...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: As the Deputy knows, in last year's budget, we set out a number of measures of a one-off and temporary nature. The reduction that was made on a one-year basis was reflected in that cost-of-living package. We said, as an incoming Government, that the decisions we would take in the context of budget 2026 would be taken on a permanent and sustained basis. It is on that basis that every...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: What I have been very clear about is that this issue will be part of the broader discussion on budget 2026. That is how annualised budgeting works in this economy and many other economies around the world. That is what we are seeking to do. We will set out an envelope in the coming weeks and each Minister will have to prioritise within that his or her overall expenditure demands. Of...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The economic position our country is in cannot just be dismissed. We must approach budget 2026 with caution. We know if we strip away the windfall nature of many of our tax receipts, there is a potential risk around a deficit position in our economy, which we cannot ignore and the Deputy should not ignore as a finance spokesperson for the main Opposition party. It is in this context...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: This will form the basis of our discussion with all Ministers on what changes we can make for budget 2026.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: That is a normal part of the budgetary process that this Government is committed to advancing.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I will set out the backdrop to this in the context of the measures that the Government has taken over recent years to make permanent and sustained reductions and interventions that are affordable for many students. If you look at the measures that have been taken, more students than ever are benefiting from financial support through the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant support...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together. Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. Specifically, EU rules require tenderers to be compliant with relevant employment law in order to participate in a public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 286, 287 and 288 together. I wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of these Parliamentary Questions, in line with Standing Order 52(1)(b).

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: In March 2023, my Department published Circular 05/2023: Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement. The circular highlights the positive measures that contracting authorities can take to promote SME participation in public sector procurement, including an increase to the threshold at which all contracts for goods and services must be advertised on eTenders from €25,000 to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2025 (1 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: Budget 2025, introduced in October 2024, announced investment of €105.4 billion to deliver continued improvements in our infrastructure and enhance our existing public services to build for a stronger future. This represented an overall increase of almost €7 billion in voted expenditure over the 2024 starting position set out in the 2024 Summer Economic Statement, with a...