Results 5,641-5,660 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Defence Forces (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: Defence Force personnel, like all other public service worker are covered by general public service pay policy. In that regard, I would point out some key features of the current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum. This agreement is heavily weighted towards those at lower incomes, including many entry level grades across the public service. There is a headline increase of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: At the outset it should be noted that my Department, in carrying out its role in coordinating the NDP Review, does not consider the merit of individual projects or sectoral policy strategies as this is primarily a matter for individual Departments and Agencies. However I would be happy to give an overview of NSO 5 which aims to deliver A Strong Economy, supported by Enterprise, Innovation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117, 244 and 252 together. The Government acknowledges the contribution of our frontline workers and all workers across the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has committed to looking at the issue of recognition for efforts during COVID-19. As part of this process Government officials engaged with employee and employer representatives prior...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: I am pleased to report that the new PEACE PLUS programme is now at an advanced stage of development and has passed a number of significant milestones in recent weeks. This major new cross-border EU programme was proposed by the European Commission in 2018, in a strong signal of its continued support for peace and reconciliation and for North South cooperation on the island of Ireland. PEACE...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: Significant supports have been put in place by Government across 2020 and 2021 to respond to the impacts of Covid-19. This funding has been critical in supporting citizens and businesses impacted by the pandemic and providing the necessary funding to allow our key public services respond effectively to the crisis. Following the onset of the pandemic last year, over €16½...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget Process (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: Over the last number of years, a range of reforms has been implemented in order to enhance Ireland’s budgetary framework and ensure that expenditure is managed in an efficient and effective way. The intention of these reforms is to increase transparency around the budgetary process and to facilitate meaningful dialogue around key elements of the Budget and on what is being achieved...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together. As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the independent, statutory body that provides professional recruitment and selection services to the civil service. In relation to the recruitment of fluent Irish speakers to the civil service, such speakers can apply for competitions that specifically require fluency...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Authorities (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: ETC (Interreg) Funding is available to Irish Stakeholders through a number of EU Funding Programmes. Each of these programmes have specific focuses, and funding is allocated under an array of Priorities and Specific Objectives. Interreg Programmes have regular “Calls” for Funding opportunities, and through Transnational Partnerships, Irish Stakeholders can apply for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy will recall that officials from my Department appeared in July before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking Community. The Committee examined in some detail the recruitment of Irish speakers to the civil service in the context of the ambitious 2030 recruitment targets set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Bill that is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: My Department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 and, in particular, the commitments outlined in the Department’s Official Languages Scheme, which is available on the Department's website. Given the nature of its functions and work, my Department does not have a high level of direct contact with, or provide schemes and services directly to,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: I would like to thank the Deputy for her ongoing interest in this important topic and for allowing me this opportunity to update the House on the progress of my Department's review of the Freedom of Information Act. I am pleased to report that there have been a number of developments in this regard since our last discussion on the matter. In recent weeks I have published a roadmap for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Development Plan (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: As part of Project Ireland 2040 (PI2040), the National Development Plan (NDP), published on 4th October 2021, sets out the Government’s over-arching investment framework and broad direction for investment priorities for this decade. My Department allocates expenditure on a departmental basis, not a geographic basis. This is the case with both the NDP and Budget 2022. The NDP...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Spending Code (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: As part of ongoing reforms to strengthen existing guidance in ensuring the efficient and effective management of public investments, my Department is undertaking a number of updates to the Public Spending Code. These are described below. Capital projects In relation to the Public Spending Code capital expenditure guidance, A Guide to Evaluating, Planning and Managing Public Investment, 2019,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Expenditure Policy (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 251 and 255 together. As set out in the most recent Fiscal Monitor, total gross voted expenditure at end-October was €67.5 billion. While this is almost €2 billion ahead on the same period in 2020, it is over €2.4 billion or 3.5% below the level of spending that had been profiled for this period. Of this, gross current expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: The process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016 – 2018, with the remainder of the process largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 (PSSA). This will continue under ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021 – 2022’. At this point, salary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Review (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: The goal of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure and by leading and enabling reform across the Civil and Public Service. As part of this, the Reform Division has driven and overseen the implementation of Our Public Service 2020(OPS2020), a framework for development and innovation in the wider Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Equal Opportunities Employment (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: Beginning with a pilot programme introduced for the 2018 budgetary cycle, Equality Budgeting is a way of approaching and understanding the budget as a process that embodies long-standing societal choices about how resources are used, rather than simply a neutral process of resource allocation. In practice, this means that equality budgeting attempts to provide greater information on how...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Project Ireland 2040 (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: The NDP 2021-30 was published on 4thOctober, committing to an overall investment of €165 billion in the years from 2021 to 2030. It is important to acknowledge that 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Review (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for the question. Continuous reform of our public services has been an integral part of this 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 society...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (16 Nov 2021)

Michael McGrath: The full implications of the UK’s departure from the EU remain to be seen but clearly will be significant. This is why the Government has been working to prepare for Brexit for several years. Our total Brexit related expenditure since the UK referendum on EU membership is now more than €1 billion. Within my Department Brexit issues are coordinated by a dedicated Unit...