Results 5,081-5,100 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reviews (9 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The information requested by the Deputy for my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), is set out in the table below.  2021 reviews, reports and studies Publication Date Title of Publication January 2021 Review of the Environmental Impacts of proposed flood relief works on the River Glashaboy (Glanmire/Sallybrook)...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The statutory framework governing remuneration for CEO posts in Commercial State Bodies is set out in the relevant legislation governing each post. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies also provides that the CEO of each Commercial State Body shall hold office subject to the terms and conditions as determined by the Board of the State Body with the consent of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (9 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: My Department funded four non-governmental organisations between January 2020 and March 2022, as set out in the table below. Organisation Funding from January 2020 to March 2022 Transparency International Ireland €511,250 Benefacts €2,113,852 Newtown School ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that, as of 28 February, 2022, there were 455 staff employed in my Department and 243 staff employed in the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is also part of my Department. The relevant pay scales in use in my Department and the OGP are set out in the table below. Grade Salary Scale Bands Secretary General Level I...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: There are many thousands of people across the country who went above and beyond over the course of the last two years. The continued contribution of so many people in all walks of life has been essential to getting us through this difficult time. Collaboration and solidarity have been the hallmark of our national approach to COVID-19 and the measures announced on 19 January are true to those...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together. While it is not immediately clear to me as to which Board(s) the Deputy may be referring to, I will attempt to answer these questions by setting out the rates payable to Chairpersons and Members of State Boards and also the relevant considerations in relation to determining appropriate payment rates. 1. Chairpersons and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Voluntary Sector (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: My Department has no such requirement in place for bodies that receive funding from my Department. More generally, as the Deputy may be aware, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 sets out certain requirements in respect of board terms, specifically:- - No member of a State board should serve more than two full terms of appointment on that board or should hold...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Protected Disclosures (8 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: My Department has procedures in place for protected disclosures that have been developed in line with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and agreed by the Management Board.  The Department has a strong commitment to ensuring its culture and working environment encourages, facilitates and supports employees.  This particularly refers to anyone who might...

Supplementary Estimates for Public Services 2022: Leave to Introduce (2 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2022: Vote 29 — Environment, Climate and Communications (Supplementary Estimate).

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I will discuss the issue relating to the offshore islands with the Minister, Deputy McConalogue. I expect to bring a memorandum to Cabinet in the coming weeks on the Brexit adjustment reserve to give an update to the Government as to where things stand. We have again engaged with line Departments on specific proposals they believe meet the criteria and qualify under the Brexit adjustment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The current framework for pay determination provides that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has statutory responsibility for the remuneration of civil servants, as set out in section 17 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, as amended. The statutory framework governing remuneration for posts in State-funded bodies is set out in the relevant legislation governing each...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy touched on two broad areas. On civil servants, the legal position is clear. There is a statutory framework for the determination of pay. It is to be found, as I said, in section 17 of the Civil Service Regulation Act 1956, as amended. Under that legislation, the power is vested in the Minister, who has statutory responsibility for the remuneration of civil servants. When it...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: There is a lot of information available online. We published alongside the NDP, as I mentioned, the updated investment tracker. That sets out a composite update on the progress of all major investments, with an estimated cost of greater than €20 million. The NDP is also accompanied by the "My Project Ireland” mapping tool, which provides details on specific projects by...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. We all have a role in raising the profile of those information sources. I am not sure if as many people as we would like are aware of the extent of the information available concerning individual projects. It is very user friendly. You go onto the mapping tool, you click on your county and you will see all of the significant projects that are being advanced under the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Brexit adjustment reserve aims to provide financial support to the most affected member states, regions and sectors to deal with the adverse consequences of Brexit. Ireland will be the largest beneficiary of the reserve, with an allocation of over €1 billion, the equivalent to just over 20% of the entire reserve. Approximately 80% of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The key requirement here is to demonstrate the direct link between the project, or what we are seeking to fund, and the adverse consequences of Brexit. This is because this funding is governed by EU regulations and is subject to EU audit, as well as rules that go with that. That is the key test, as such. The link with Brexit cannot be general in nature. It has to be demonstrable and quite...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this important issue. I am pleased to have the opportunity to update the House on the progress of the review of the Freedom of Information Act. The opening public consultation on the review closed shortly before Christmas. This preliminary consultation was designed as an opportunity for all interested stakeholders to have their say in setting the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: To what is the Deputy referring?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Yes. I will follow up on Deputy Pringle's correspondence and make sure he gets a comprehensive reply. Without going into any individual case, it is important to point out that the Information Commissioner is fully independent in the performance of his functions and his office is currently the ultimate recourse for adjudicating on a complaint or appeal in relation to FOI. I believe the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Freedom of Information (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I can understand why some people would be sceptical when they hear a Government is carrying out a review of freedom of information. The assumption might be that its purpose is to restrict the operation of FOI in some way. That is not where I am coming from on this issue. I also assure the Deputy that it is certainly not a cost-cutting initiative either. The Deputy raised a point about...