Results 441-460 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It would be wrong of me to pretend that this is an easy process or that it is painless for the staff involved. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is finding it fairly traumatic to move such a large number of people and to implement the changes which are associated with that in terms of policy personnel. The Government is committed to its decentralisation policy — everybody is doing...

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Department will probably be the first Department to decentralise completely.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: That is the intention.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: That process, which involves the central applications facility, is ongoing.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I acknowledge that the decentralisation process involves a strong element of relocation. Some of the numbers I have seen indicate that approximately two thirds of the staff who will move to Killarney will be relocating, as opposed to decentralising from Dublin. It depends on how the central applications facility finally makes decisions about different grades. It is fair to acknowledge the...

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: My administrative budget includes whatever costs are involved in decentralisation or relocation, including necessary training.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: All Departments, the Civil Service and the public service, face significant challenges as a result of the decentralisation process. The central applications facility and the decentralisation unit in the Department of Finance are involved in the careful planning of decentralisation so that its voluntary nature is maintained and that it meets the needs of as many families as possible and with...

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Decentralisation is not built around individual Ministers or ministries and it should not be. A strategic approach was adopted as to the locations. I do not see it as a matter for the individual careers of individual political people. The headquarters of a Department will be in a certain location and the Minister in charge of that Department will have to get themselves there.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: If I lived in County Donegal, it would be the same problem.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I have visited the Killarney offices and will do so on a regular basis.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: These are broader questions connected with the decentralisation programme generally and on which policy decisions will need to be taken.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is not appropriate that I take those kind of policy decisions just for my Department at this time. We are one of the early movers and all our staff are committed to moving——

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We are committed to moving the Department.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is Government policy to move the Department.

Decentralisation Programme. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: That policy is being implemented. I believe it will be successful when it settles down. I believe it will be to the benefit of the entire nation and not just to the capital city; it will also work to the benefit of the regions. Individual arrangements about very senior civil servants and Ministers have yet to be finally worked out.

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, which was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 for the purpose of further developing both racing industries. Under the provisions of the 2001 Act, the fund receives a guaranteed level of finance based on excise duty on off-course betting in the...

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: As I noted in my reply on the current round of the fund, this statutory fund has been of enormous benefit to both industries. The fact that it is on a statutory basis and is ring-fenced in that fashion has made it enormously successful. In the normal course of events, the current round of the fund is due to expire in 2008. A review of that fund will now be undertaken in the course of the...

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Yes.

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: What is the Deputy's question?

Sports Funding. (29 Nov 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I refer to the figures I provided regarding the hundreds of millions of euro that are associated with the industry, as well as the employment levels. For example, 16,500 people are employed in the horse industry, as well as almost 11,000 people on the dog racing side. In addition, between 80,000 to 90,000 tourist visits are involved. Consequently, it is clear that the scheme has been...