Results 6,441-6,460 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. It is a basic principle of public procurement that competitive tendering should be used except in justifiably exceptional circumstances. The EU Directives acknowledge that there can be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: European Council Meetings (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The General Affairs Council for Cohesion Ministers falls within the remit of my Department. No formal or informal meetings have taken place at council level since 27 June 2020 either virtually or physically.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Capital Expenditure Programme (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I should first explain that as Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform I am responsible for the annual Estimates of Expenditure, and for the multi-year capital envelopes, which set the overall capital allocations across Departments; and for the ongoing monitoring of expenditure, both current and capital, that takes place across the Departments. Responsibility for the management and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Procurement Contracts (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 91 together. Public Procurement is governed by EU and national rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for the National Public Procurement Policy Framework which sets the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Expenditure Policy (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 94, 97 and 98 together. An overall Government Expenditure Ceiling of €87.8 billion was outlined in the Revised Estimates for Public Services (REV) for 2021. Nearly €82.4 billion of this has been allocated at a departmental level, with €5.4 billion set aside in reserve to respond to the impacts of Brexit and Covid-19 as required. It...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Capital Expenditure Programme (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: Evaluation, management and delivery of public capital projects are a matter for the Sponsoring Agency and Approving Authority in each case. My Department is responsible for setting the overall capital expenditure allocations for Departments. My Department is also responsible for maintaining the national frameworks within which Departments operate to ensure appropriate accounting for and value...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Capital Expenditure Programme (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The BUILD Reports produced by the National Investment Office in my Department in 2019 and 2020 have highlighted capacity constraints arising in the construction sector in recent years, noting that “potential risks and constraints are present in the form of cost inflation, limited sources of additional labour supply and stagnant productivity growth”. A key metric to consider...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Civil Service Renewal programme of reform, supporting the development of high performing Civil Service organisations, continues to be embedded. This programme is overseen by the Civil Service Management Board which focusses on driving whole-of-Government reform across the Civil Service, rather than at individual Departmental level. The Civil Service Renewal Plan has delivered a range of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Sector Reform (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that significant reforms in the Public Service have been brought about since the establishment of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A core goal of this Department is to continue to deliver reforms for Government through improved, cost-effective public services across a range of areas including governance, accountability, procurement, shared...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Public Sector Pay (25 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ 2865, dated 20/01/2021. The position remains the same. PQRef: 2865/21 The process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016 – 2018 and was largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 (PSSA). To...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Health Services Staff (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy may be aware, the Taoiseach noted on 10 February that the Government would respond to the extraordinary efforts of front-line healthcare workers once the pandemic is behind us. Accordingly, the Government has not yet set out a precise timeframe for consideration of, and engagement on, any options to recognise front-line healthcare workers' efforts, given the current status of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Offices (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: In line with Government policy, breastfeeding employees of my Department are entitled to paid breaks of one hour per day from work, or a reduction of one hour per day working time, to facilitate breastfeeding or lactation (Circular 31/06 Implementation of the Regulations of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004). At present, breastfeeding or lactation breaks may continue until the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Allowances (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The mileage rates are designed to compensate an officer for the costs incurred in using their own car on official business. The rates are based on a methodology agreed with the Staff Associations. The methodology takes account of both overhead costs (such as car purchase costs, depreciation and insurance) and also running costs (fuel costs and maintenance). The rates are intended to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Advisers (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I have appointed two Special Advisers to my Department: Grant Sweetnam and Kevin Barrett. Queries for Special Advisers may be addressed to pressoffice@per.gov.ie or (01) 676 7571. A List of Special Advisers to the 33rd Dáil is published on the gov.ie website.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The information requested for my Department and the Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, is set out in the tables below. Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Salary Scale Male Female Clerical Officer 11 29 Executive Officer 26 28 Higher Executive...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reviews (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The tables below outline the studies, reviews and research being conducted at present by my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, which will be published when complete. Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Purpose of review / research / study Undertaken by Department or external provider Expected completion date ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has had no expenditure of this nature. I understand that the Deputy will receive separate replies from a number of Ministers about the position in respect of their Departments.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Construction Contracts (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform I have responsibility for the development of policy to ensure adequate expenditure oversight on capital projects and for public procurement. National rules governing public procurement must comply with the relevant EU, WTO and national legal requirements and obligations. Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: As the Deputy will appreciate, the operation of pension scheme rules for Commercial Semi-State companies are the responsibility of the relevant Government Department. Based on the circumstances outlined in this particular case, this would appear to be a matter for the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in the context of that Department's responsibility for the Postal and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (24 Feb 2021)

Michael McGrath: The Covid-19 Stability Fund, launched last Summer, initially provided €35 million in supports for charities, community groups and social enterprises and this was supplemented by a further €10 million in December 2020. Around 600 organisations have benefited from these significant supports, specifically aimed at addressing funding challenges for groups delivering important...