Results 5,141-5,160 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ethics in Public Office (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 120 together. The Government agreed to my proposals for the Review of the statutory framework for Ethics to which Deputy Farrell's question refers in September 2021. In brief, this Review is examining: - Ireland’s existing ethics legislative framework, - The recommendations of relevant tribunals of inquiry, - Recommendations made by the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The requirements for the management of grant funding provided from public monies is governed by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014  - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. This circular focuses on transparency, accountability and value for money and details the responsibilities of those issuing and receiving grants. The financial...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Priorities (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In 2020 we saw a fall in prices as a result of the pandemic.  As we emerge from the pandemic and the economy recovers we are faced with a new set of challenges including rising energy prices and transitory supply issues which are causing prices to increase. In this context Budget 2022, included a range of measures to support citizens with the rising cost of living.   The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware the Revised Estimates Volume 2022 provided €16,050,000 (Gross) for the operation of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. This allocation was provided following the consideration of a business case received from the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General in advance of Budget 2022. This allocation represents an increase of some...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Treatment Purchase Fund (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Queries in relation to the National Treatment Purchase Fund are matters in the first instance for the Minister for Health who has policy responsibility in this area. The budgetary allocation for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in 2022 is €150 million consisting of €100 million of core funding and €50 million in once-off Covid funding. This funding is targeted at...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Priorities (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In Programme for Government – Our Shared Future, the Government set out a commitment to developing a set of well-being indices to create a well-rounded, holistic view of how Irish society is fairing.  Once developed, the Government is committed to ensuring that this is used in a systematic way in setting budgetary priorities, as an important complement to existing economic...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Spending Code (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Public Spending Code (PSC) sets out the framework for both Sponsoring Agencies (bodies with primary responsibility for evaluating, planning and managing public investment projects/programmes) and Approving Authorities (bodies funding projects/programmes, usually Government Departments) for the overall management of public spending projects.  A requirement of the Public Spending...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-30 was published in October 2021 and is accompanied by a continued focus on improving the delivery of investment under Project Ireland 2040. The renewed NDP has a particular focus on the all-of-Government priorities of housing and climate action ambitions, as well as to support other national strategic objectives as set out in Project Ireland 2040. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Class D PRSI generally applies to permanent and pensionable employees in the public service recruited before 6 April 1995 to whom Class B and C PRSI do not apply. This cohort of Public Servants pay a modified rate of Social Welfare Insurance. They do not have an entitlement to the Contributory State Pension. These individuals are members of their relevant pension scheme in their...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Gender Equality (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The National Strategy for Women and Girls is the framework through which the Government is pursuing actions to advance the rights of women and girls and to enable their full participation in Irish society. It is an all of Government framework. There are three actions in this strategy that fall specifically under the remit of my department. The first relates to measures to improve gender...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have policy responsibility for recruitment to the civil service.  The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the primary recruiter for the civil and public service, with all recruitment undertaken in line with the CPSA Code of Practice for Appointments to the Civil and Public Service.   A limited number of structured paid...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Schemes (1 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: Flexible Work Practices (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: In line with Government commitments, the Civil Service will demonstrate leadership in moving proactively to a blended working environment with a view to achieving at least 20% remote working initially. My Department is currently focussing on achieving at least 20% remote working, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, and any cost associated with moving towards 30%,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Protected Disclosures (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I am assuming that the Deputy is referring in her question to protected disclosures concerning political parties by members of said parties. The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 protects workers from penalisation if they report concerns about  wrongdoing or potential wrongdoing in the workplace. A worker is defined in section 3 of the Act as being an individual who is or was: an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Correspondence (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I have brought no policy instructions or policy documents to the attention of An Bord Pleanála since becoming Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Policies (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280, 281 and 288 together. Under the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to continuing reform and improvement of the budgetary process, including an enhanced focus across Government on issues of performance and national well-being. This will build on reforms introduced over the last number of years, including Performance Budgeting and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Policies (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The ongoing reform of our public services has been an integral part of my Department's function since its establishment in 2011. In view of the significant and pervasive impacts experienced as a consequence of the Covid19 crisis, the Government's programme of reform and modernisation is particularly relevant as we seek to return our economy and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Project Ireland 2040 (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The revised National Development Plan (NDP) was published in October 2021, committing to an overall investment of €165 billion in the years from 2021 to 2030. The majority of public investment projects are delivered on budget and on time and there is a high level of professionalism across the sectors. Reforms are ongoing in governance and broader capability to help ensure successful...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Policies (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules/guidelines to ensure compliance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment which are key the State achieving maximum value for money through competitive procedures.  Responsibility for ensuring compliance with all national and EU procurement rules and procedures rests with contracting or...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Communications (1 Mar 2022)

Michael McGrath: The Government has committed to investing €165 billion in capital programmes and projects through the National Development Plan (NDP) published last year.  In 2022, almost €12 billion is available to spend on vital infrastructure in areas such as housing, transport, education, enterprise, sport and climate action and our annual capital investment as a percentage of national...