Results 4,841-4,860 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are involved in discussions to see if an agreed way forward on that can be found. Deputies should be clear about one thing, however - those savings have to be made-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----because the Government does not have the money to pay the public service pay bill as it is currently constituted.

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The primary role of the social policy unit is to support and advise me on social policy matters. Through facilitating a "whole of Government" approach it seeks to add value to social policy considerations and actions by promoting coordination and cohesion across sectoral policies and strategies. This is pursued particularly...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The social policy unit deals with all of these issues and there are Cabinet committees that some of its personnel attend, as I do. The unit interacts on an ongoing basis with various groups representing stakeholder interests on all of these issues. The question of the budget, obviously, is determined ultimately by the Minister of Finance based on consultations and discussions with...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to co-ordinate, in many instances, various policy strands or interdepartmental responsibilities in terms of evolving policy and preparing memorandums for Government and so on for the various Ministers in charge of particular areas. The social policy unit is an active participant in all of that work. It is very well regarded and has done...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have those figures with me, this morning. From memory, however, having looked at them last night, I understand there is an increase of 7,000.

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I believe so, but I shall have to check. It might be less, but I shall have to check, because I have been reading quite a number of documents in the last while. In any event, the live register figures will be published at 11 a.m., as the Deputy says. In the Department of the Taoiseach a "whole of Government" approach is adopted. When assessing impact on social welfare measures, for...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the cost of it. It is a unit in the Department headed by an assistant secretary. She and her staff do excellent work and are well regarded in the whole social policy area. She advises me, as Taoiseach, on social policy matters and helps in the preparation of Cabinet committee meetings in the areas of responsibility that come under the aegis of the unit. She also provides,...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The point is that when seasonal factors are taken into account, the month-on-month increase is 800, whereas it is important to note that the equivalent month-on-month increase for November last year was approximately 16,200. If the Deputy is asking whether something approaching a bottoming-out is evident, thankfully we are not experiencing the rate of job losses that took place this time 12...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I stated previously in respect of issues such as disability, health, the fair deal scheme and the national drugs strategy, the social policy unit has played a role in this regard. It ensures the views of the Department of the Taoiseach are inputted into all the aforementioned areas. Basically, that co-ordinating role, using the authority of the Department of the Taoiseach is its...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will hear from the Minister for Finance next week on all these issues regarding Government decisions and plans. This particular unit has been involved in the activation of areas pertaining to enterprise supports and support for the unemployed. It has an input in such questions and has helped to bring together various Departments, such as the Departments of Social and Family...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am making the point-----

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As for the initiatives it has dealt with, it was, for example, centrally involved in the disability strategy, as well as in the policy for travellers and so on. It also has been involved in implementing such initiatives and ensuring that they can be dealt with by liaising with Departments to ensure that such issues continue to be part of their policy goals and how resources are spent. While...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It has been suggested that no training is available. There has been a substantial increase in the number of places provided this year. As for FÁS, the agency now is under the leadership of a new chief executive and is proceeding with its work. It is dealing with the issues that arose in respect of the governance questions and is getting on with its business. The new incumbent should be...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am explaining the facts.

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am making the point. I am not suggesting that everyone who wants a place gets one. There has been a serious increase in resources in this area which Deputy Burton is not prepared to acknowledge.

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I did no such thing. The Deputy asked a question unrelated to the subject of the original questions-----

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: These were not specific questions to unemployment figures. I accept the Deputy is entitled to ask a supplementary question, which he did about unemployment, but I did not put any gloss on the live register figures. I explained them when I got them from the Chief Whip. I gave the Deputy the figures as presented in front of me. I have never suggested there is a gloss to be put on...

Departmental Programmes. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The national drugs strategy was launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Curran, on 10 September last. Its overall objective, which was developed following an extensive consultation process, is to continue to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and...

Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. The question relates to the findings of the Quigley report, published in 2005. It highlighted the need for special care in cases where a proposed consultancy comprises an element of direct service to a Minister or Minister of State, particularly in the public relations or communications area, and where a Minister or a Minister of...