Results 5,741-5,760 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Semi-State Bodies (30 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has received the request referred to and will process the request in line with the Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations 2007-2018.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (29 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the consultancy services, professional fees and legal advice spend by my Department is regularly updated and published on gov.ie.  Details of this spend since the Department’s establishment in 2011 up to the end of April 2021 can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/8b97d6-con...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards was published by my Department in November 2014 and, subject to specific arrangements which apply to NewEra companies, these guidelines apply to all State Boards both commercial and non-commercial. The guidelines build on earlier work by contributing to greater openness and transparency in the selection of appointees to State Boards. These...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2022 (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) has increased year-on-year since 2014 with Budget 2021 announcing an overall allocation of €868 million for Irish Aid. The ODA allocation for Budget 2022 is currently under review within my Department. My officials are engaging with the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to this matter which will form part of the annual estimates process...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The 2021 revised estimate gross figure for the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General was €15.506 million. The estimated cost of increasing the funding by 10%, 15% and 20% is as follows: Gross Estimate 10% 15% 20% 2021 Increase Increase Increase €m €m ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I refer the Deputy to the document attached at TAB A which details the 19 Secretary General posts and level, listed by Government Department. Other senior posts in the Civil Service with pay rates at these levels are included at TAB B. TAB A - Secretary General Posts Level Post Number of Posts I Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Further to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 15th September last, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department's participation in Common Purpose Ireland leadership programmes is part of the broader continuous professional development framework for staff in my Department. This includes attendance at learning and development courses, seminars and conferences, membership of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Regular reporting on spend against profile, on both a gross and net basis, is published each month in the Fiscal Monitor. This is available online at www.gov.ie/en/collection/c1b65-fiscal-monitors-2021/. The table below outlines the end-August gross position for current and capital spending, including variances from profile, by each Ministerial Vote Group as published in the August Fiscal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (28 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for her interest in the PEACE PLUS programme. I am pleased to be able to report that this ambitious new North South EU-funded programme is now in the final stages of development. PEACE PLUS was first proposed by the European Commission in 2018 as part of its package of measures for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and Cohesion Policy for the 2021-27 period. This...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Pay (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: It is important to make the point there is no uniformity in how the Covid pandemic impacted on businesses across different sectors in the private sector economy. It was wide and varied. Some businesses closed while others thrived. Many others are struggling and others are staying afloat because of Government supports. I do not agree with the approach that the Government should seek to...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Pay (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Following on from my exchange with Deputy Michael Collins, I wish to reiterate the position of the Government. The Government is committed to addressing this issue in the coming weeks and we do not want to allow it to drag on. We have a clear recommendation from the Labour Court, which we intend to abide by, and we will deal with this in the...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Pay (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Lahart makes an excellent point. There is a need for us to recognise the extraordinary efforts of so many people, particularly front-line healthcare staff. Nobody has an issue with them being singled out for praise which is richly deserved. If we get this wrong it could be divisive in society. Deputy Lahart touched on carers and the extra burden that fell on them over the course of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Staff (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for his question. The Government acknowledges the contribution of our front-line healthcare workers and all workers across the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. The value of the contribution made by our front-line workers across the economy cannot be overstated. Their hard work and sacrifice have been crucial to getting the country through this pandemic and the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Staff (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Our healthcare workers have been extraordinary over the past 18 months and that extraordinary effort warrants special recognition from the Government. Whatever we do in the coming weeks must be done in a fair and inclusive way. The Deputy has placed the emphasis on healthcare workers, which is justifiable. However, there are many others across the public service who did great work over...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh (Atógáil) - Priority Questions (Resumed): Public Sector Staff (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy knows, the Labour Court recommendation provides that the parties to the issue must make every effort to achieve clarity as regards potential arrangements to address the claim within the earliest opportunity and in any event during the autumn. The Government intends to deal with this issue in consultation with the representatives of the workers. We recognise the heroic efforts...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Finally, on the issues of value for money and the pressures that are arising in respect of construction inflation and so forth, I and the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, are both engaging with the Office of Government Procurement on the issues that are arising there in the context of the public works contract. We want to see tenders successfully completed and awarded and jobs delivered.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Lottery (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for tabling this question. I was pleased to announce recently that Indecon International Consultants have been commissioned to support the Department in the review of the effectiveness and transparency of how national lottery funding for good causes is distributed. The national lottery plays a vital role in generating funding for a wide range of clubs, charities and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Lottery (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I will arrange for a more detailed reply to be issued to the Deputy. However, I will give a sense of my thinking in asking for this review to be conducted. My view is that, at present, it can be difficult to track the good causes expenditure that has occurred and at times it can be difficult for clubs and organisations to navigate the funding options available and to identify if they are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Lottery (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I strongly agree with the Deputy's sentiments on this issue. As part of the review, a steering group will be set up, led by my Department, comprising representatives from a number of Departments that have national lottery-related expenditure subheads. Public consultation will be conducted as part of this process, which is likely to involve a targeted group of relevant stakeholders. That...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Development Plan (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The additional €1.1 billion in capital for 2022 outlined in the summer economic statement will be allocated as part of the capital ceilings that will be published in the review of the NDP. The detail of exactly what the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Health, Transport and so on for next year and for every year out to 2025 will be confirmed when the review is...