Results 5,841-5,860 of 6,315 for speaker:Gerald Nash

Written Answers — Department of Health: Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility (6 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: To ask the Minister for Health if he will include polycythemia vera on the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48119/12]

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: By and large, the costs are recovered.

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: According to the latest figures, the availability allowance amounts to approximately €1.7 million. This allowance applies to senior members of the force - superintendents, chief superintendents and others - who are expected to make themselves available during non-core hours, as it were. Given the public service's development in recent years, it is a fact of life for many senior...

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: It is on the public record.

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: Given that the public service has evolved and the Garda has responded to the change in a positive way, there is a strong argument for this allowance to be absorbed into core pay. Instead of calling it an allowance, its nature as pay should be reflected, given people's responsibilities.

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: Mr. Stone mentioned the potential for benchmarking with analogous forces. The forces with which we most closely identify are those in Great Britain and, on the island of Ireland, the PSNI. How do our rates and allowances compare with those of UK police forces, particularly the PSNI?

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: Has the bicycle allowance been abolished, or will it be?

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: It is paid to 70 members of the force outside of the mountain bike unit. The business case states that it is applicable to members "who have been directed to provide themselves with a bicycle on duty". Where would this apply? If it is to be replaced, could it be replaced by a Segway allowance? According to the media yesterday, many gardaí have been provided with Segways, which is a...

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: To replace it.

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: It is approximately €2 per week.

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: I thank the Commissioner.

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: Mr. Callinan mentioned overtime. The business cases that have been presented to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the figures we have seen in recent days indicate that overtime is a big issue. A particular spike appears to occur with overtime for inspectors. Four inspectors each earned more than €60,000 in allowances and overtime. That is an extraordinary figure...

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: A substantial amount of public money is spent on the rent allowance. This allowance has been in existence for quite some time and it obviously reflected a particular need at a point in time. It is probably fair to say, however, that the vast majority of gardaí above a certain rank own their homes. Is the rent allowance paid to every garda who owns a home? Am I correct to understand...

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: Has it been in place since the mid-1920s?

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: I imagine that many gardaí consider it to be part of core pay given that it has been in place for nearly 90 years. I was not aware of the non-public duty allowance until we undertook this exercise. I understand it is paid to gardaí who perform duties at concerts, football matches and so on. I will refer the Commissioner to a line in the business case returned to the Department...

Public Accounts Committee: Garda Síochána - Review of Allowances (1 Nov 2012)

Gerald Nash: I echo what the Chairman has said. I do not believe any representative organisation or trade union appearing before the committee has anything to fear from this process. This has been a very constructive exercise in recent weeks and has performed the function of busting some of the myths about public sector allowances that have been perpetuated in recent weeks and months. I welcome the...

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Gerald Nash: There will also be implications for the economy.

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Gerald Nash: Can the witnesses shed some light on how many of the allowances which number in excess of 1,000 were agreed to between 1997 and 2007? Would it be fair to state a considerable number of them were negotiated during the Celtic tiger years?

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Gerald Nash: I merely wanted to establish that fact.

Public Accounts Committee: Irish Congress of Trade Unions - Review of Allowances (31 Oct 2012)

Gerald Nash: It would be useful if the witnesses could establish for us their own view on what constitutes core pay. We have been exploring this issue for the past few weeks and much has been said about a small amount of money being involved. I am a great believer in looking at the wood, not a particular tree. There is a broader context, but that is not a matter for us to consider today. Is the...