Results 4,241-4,260 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: It is about the link and co-operation between Government and the community sector. How can individuals involved in the community sector be allowed to process——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: ——- funding applications when many of their own groups and charities might be applicants? I do not want to refer to an incident last year which would prove my point.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: This is a good fund but changes to its structure were necessary. The proposed system will be seen to be fair and transparent. It will take on board the expertise on disadvantage and disabilities found in Departments, health boards and other State agencies. It is foolish to ignore this expertise that has been built up by the Civil Service. The Bill takes timely steps to put right upcoming...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: The Senators are winding up Senator Leyden.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I hear what the Senators are saying but I do not know if they listened to me. I tried to listen to everything that was said——

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I am talking about all the speakers, not necessarily Senator Finucane, who spoke over the past two hours. It was interesting to hear the Senators' different perspectives, and I thank them for those, but the Senator zoned in on one interpretation of a particular aspect. Several Members said all the money belongs to the people and that is correct. Whether it is this fund or general taxation...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: The money from the insurance fund turned out to be less than what some people were forecasting. People are claiming back money and from now on the money that comes in will not be as old, so to speak. There is a possibility that more of it will be claimed back. A total of €30 million was allocated and decisions on 58 applications have been made to date, totalling €6.4 million. On Senator...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I welcome the opportunity to introduce this Bill to the House.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I wish to inform Senators that this issue comes under my area of responsibility within the Department.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I am not replacing the Minister because the issue comes under my area of responsibility. Modesty prevents me from saying much more.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I know everyone in the House welcomes the use of unclaimed moneys for the betterment of the less well off in our society. Such good work for the public good must continue, which is exactly the intention of the Bill. There is, of course, always more that could be done. In this context, the increase of €30 million in the amount the current board may spend on programmes and projects, as...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: The purpose of the dormant accounts fund, as set out in existing law, is to assist persons who are socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged, and persons with a disability. This will remain unchanged. There has been considerable public debate as to the purpose and impact of the Bill. There are compelling reasons, both in terms of governance and public policy, as to why legislation...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: Members should be aware of the emerging scale of the fund, which currently stands at €222 million. The scale of such moneys, held in public trust, requires commensurate corporate governance arrangements to support and oversee disbursements.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: However, there is currently no legal provision for a proper organisational structure for the board. The law essentially provides for an ad hoc arrangement for the secondment of staff from the Department. Having regard to the emerging scale of the fund, and the independence of the board, such an arrangement is not tenable. Under current arrangements, the chairperson of the board is accountable...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: This avoids bureaucracy and enables informed decision-making, consistent with public policy priorities.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: The current structure is not good enough and must be dealt with.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: It minimises spending on administration and maximises funding for those who need it most. For this reason, the Government has decided against setting up a new organisation. Instead, the Bill provides that the Government will in future decide on disbursements from the fund, but following a public application process and within a framework of transparency and process set out in law. The...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: I believe these arrangements demonstrate the Government's commitment to a structured, transparent and effective board. Transparency in decision-making on disbursements from the fund is critically important. Concerns have been raised as to the extent to which the changes in this regard may adversely affect the focus and impact of spending from the fund. Recognising this, the Government has...

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: A statement containing details of the approvals will be laid before the Oireachtas and a list setting out the approved measures and projects, and specifying the amounts to be disbursed, will be published within one month.

Seanad: Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (29 Jun 2004)

Noel Ahern: These rigorous and extensive measures confirm the Government's absolute commitment to ensure that decisions on the fund are informed by the public interest, accessible to public application and fully subject to public scrutiny. These are the important criteria. I should also mention that the Bill provides for separate recording of dormant accounts spending through the Votes of Departments....