Results 4,241-4,260 of 5,627 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: I will consider those comments. I just saw what The Irish Timeshas reported. I know I am sometimes quoted in a way that differs from my remarks. I will have a good read of the article. My next question is on the high prevalence of so-called zombie companies across the EU and on how a significant interest rate increase could impact them and, by extension, the wider EU economy. Obviously,...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Inflation: Discussion (resumed) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank the Chair and I also thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I hope they are enjoying their first time before us. I am sure that they will be rushing to come back again. I have a number of questions. I am quite interested in the comments made by the Governor in an article in The Irish Timestoday. They struck a somewhat different note from what we have heard from...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as teacht os comhair na coiste chun na cúrsaí seo a phlé. It is always good to have the Minister in front of the committee, and I thank him. On Vote 12, will he indicate how much was paid out in total last year for what is called "golden handshake" payments, and what was the highest single payment? What was the average payment in this...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: I also have a question about the Commission for Public Service Appointments, the statutory body which sets standards for recruitment in the public service. It is also, in effect, the regulator. Does the Minister believe the regulator should be able to comment on matters relating to the regulation of public service appointments? I ask because of the remuneration of a particular Secretary...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: I apologise, but my speakers stopped working for almost the entirety of the Minister's reply. I am going to have to listen back to it. I apologise. It is unfortunate that I missed what the Minister said at the start of his reply but I gather from what he said at the end that he is happy to take questions with regard to the report. As he knows, 14 recommendations were included in the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: The first was establishment of a formal process of appointments to interim and permanent senior posts and that the process would be followed in all instances. The second was the establishment of a body to review the remuneration of senior posts in the Civil Service and public service and to develop the process of appointments. The third was the review of the ministerial power to set...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: Is there time for me to ask one more quick question?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 12 - Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 17 - Public Appointments Service (Supplementary) (24 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: There have been recent reports about overtime that was paid to top HSE officials. Between April and September 2020, overtime increased by approximately 760% compared with 2019. In contrast, total overtime for HSE staff increased by only 14% over that period. Is the Minister concerned about that?

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Policies (23 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: 95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the establishment of a secondary school on Inisbofin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57308/21]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Island Communities (23 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: 125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the support being provided to second-level students on the offshore islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57309/21]

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Flexible Work Practices (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: 135. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will be legislating for blended and flexible working arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56626/21]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Schemes (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: 157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons who took part in the taxsaver scheme in each year since 2016 in each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56683/21]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: 173. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when he will be legislating for blended and flexible working arrangements for public service workers in possible circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56627/21]

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: It may be that somebody's device is not on mute.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: I have two questions on which I want further detail. One of the exemptions noted in the explanatory memorandum is "...land which is zoned for residential use but is used to provide services consistent with a residential area, e.g. a corner shop". If the Minister knows Galway city, I am sure he will be aware that we are plagued with vacant sites and have been for a long time. Thankfully, we...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: It would have to be fixed.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: Okay. I would like more detail on the exemption for recreational use. How will that be monitored?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2021: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2021)

Mairéad Farrell: It would be at the level of a local GAA club or soccer club rather than somebody saying people go for walks on their land. It would have to be firmer than that.