Results 5,781-5,800 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2022 (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As outlined in the Summer Economic Statement (SES), anchoring core expenditure growth to an appropriate trend growth rate for the economy of c. 5% per annum, along with a phased unwinding of the exceptional Covid-19 expenditure, can provide a pathway back to a more sustainable budgetary position, while also providing the necessary resources to enhance our public services, social supports and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I am pleased to report that the development of the new PEACE PLUS North South EU programme is now at a very advanced stage. This new cross-border programme for Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland was first proposed by the European Commission in 2018. The proposal reflects the ongoing commitment of the European Union, and of the Irish Government and the UK Government, to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Measures (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Since it was established in 2011, my Department has committed significant resources in terms of policy development and consultation across government to explore how the statutory framework for ethics can be reformed to make it fit-for-purpose. An initial concrete outcome of this work was the Public Sector Standards Bill (the PSSB), which was brought forward by my predecessor in 2015. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2022 (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As outlined in Figure 2.1 on page 13 of the 2021 Mid-Year Expenditure Report, growth in the economy as measured by modified gross national income (GNI*) is broadly in line with growth in tax revenue and voted expenditure over the period 1999 to 2019, with growth in GDP diverging significantly in recent years, with in particular nominal growth in GDP of 35% between 2014 and 2015. These large...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Education Policy (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The recent OECD Education at a Glance report examines indicators across OECD countries for inputs as well as outputs and outcomes relating to Education. As one of the inputs to education, the report compares spend on education across countries as a percentage of their GDP and shows Ireland’s 2018 spending at 3.3% of GDP, below the OECD average of 4.9%. For Ireland however,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, the drawdown of capital expenditure from the Exchequer is detailed each month and is publicly available in the Fiscal Monitor, which is published on the gov.ie website. All line Departments and agencies submit information on their expenditure levels against profile to my Department, along with an explanation outlining details regarding any variance of under or...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Economic Growth (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 78 together. The prudent management of the public finances in recent years provided Government with the scope to provide substantial supports in order to respond to Covid-19 and to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. Indeed, across 2020 and 2021, Government will have made available over €31 billion for direct expenditure measures to support...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and National rules and guidelines to ensure compliance with the principles of transparency, non-discrimination and equal treatment which are key to demonstrating the State’s attainment of maximum value for money through competitive procedures. To create a level playing field for all businesses across the Single European Market, EU law...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and am glad to have this opportunity to provide to this House further details on the upcoming review of the Freedom of Information Act. My Department will in the coming weeks publish a roadmap document that will set out in detail the process for the review and give detailed information on how interested stakeholders can get involved. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: You will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working. In July, 2021, the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service, which was produced by my Department and agreed by the Civil Service Management Board. The Policy Statement commits the Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: School Staff (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Policy in relation to school secretaries and caretakers is a matter for the Minister for Education.The Deputy alluded to a pay agreement in his question, however, I understand that the parties remain in discussions at the WRC at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flexible Work Practices (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: You will be aware that the Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working. In July, 2021 the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service, which was produced by my Department and agreed by the Civil Service Management Board. The Policy Statement commits the Civil...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Appointments Service (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Following a Government decision in 2014 in relation to reforms to the State Boards appointments process, appointments have been advertised openly on the State Boards portal www.stateboards.ie, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Appointments should meet specific and detailed criteria which are determined by the relevant Minister as necessary for the effective...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: Responding to the impacts of Covid-19 has been a key priority for Government with significant supports put in place to respond to the pandemic. Across 2020 and 2021, Government will have made available over €31 billion for direct expenditure measures to support our people, businesses and key public services deal with the impacts of Covid-19. Over €16½ billion was...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The expenditure strategy for 2022 set out in July’s Summer Economic Statement provided for up to €8.1 billion in non-core, temporary spending under the overall expenditure ceiling. This provides €7 billion for Covid-19 related public expenditure measures during 2022, including approximately €0.2 billion expected to be spent under the National Recovery and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget Process (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this month the Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, welcomed the Annual Report of the Criminal Assets Bureau for 2020. The report was submitted to the Minister by the Criminal Assets Bureau pursuant to the provisions of section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act, 1996 and brought to Government by Minister Humphreys. The Report, which has been...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 70 together. EU public procurement regulations were developed and agreed by all Member States within the European Union to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. The regulations, however, acknowledge that there can be legitimate reasons for awarding contracts without the use...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: In 2019, my Department published Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement which instructs Departments to consider including green procurement criteria where: - Clearly defined, quantifiable, verifiable, and measurable criteria have been developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2022 (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: The challenges arising from changing demographics and an ageing population are recognised in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future. In particular, the Programme for Government provided for the establishment of a Commission on Welfare and Taxation and a Commission on Pensions. The terms of reference for the Commission on Welfare and Taxation include: a review of how best...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (23 Sep 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will be aware, the reduction in counsel fees over the period of 2009 - 2011 were underpinned by Government decisions and formed part of the broader Government need to reduce costs across the public service. I fully acknowledge and appreciate the very important work undertaken by barristers who prosecute and defend cases throughout the criminal courts. My Department has engaged...