Results 6,601-6,620 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The overall situation regarding the need to control numbers is that 36% of our total budget relates to pay. This issue must be controlled and watched very carefully given the fact that the Government has to borrow €20 billion this year, in addition to the revenues it takes in to try to maintain services. Fine Gael's critique has been that we are not cutting enough. Its spokesperson on...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The moratorium applies to the Garda Síochána. Currently, appointments from superintendent level upwards are made at Government and appointments up to inspector level are made by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. As is the case with other sectors, the Minister for Finance has the authority to sanction the filling of some vacancies in very exceptional circumstances.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: At the end of 2008, the total attested strength of the Garda for all ranks was 14,412. At the end of this year the number will have increased to 14,900 and in 2010 the total number of gardaí is expected to be 14,800.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are approximately 773 people in training at present. I beg the Deputy's pardon.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Exceptional circumstances are a matter for the Minister for Finance to decide. He has the authority to sanction the filling of any vacancies in such circumstances.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We did not devise a moratorium simply to have it and then reappoint people in every respect. There are exceptional circumstances whereby the Minister might feel that redeployments, or whatever, might work out and assist in sorting out the problem. That is not the case in the situation the Deputy mentioned, where there is an absence. There are a number of options for Departments and...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the basis that it represents 36% of total budget, that part of the budget must be controlled as every other part of the budget must be controlled, given our position. If we do not do that, we must go back to those who are depending on the service or get flexibilities from those who provide the service. One cannot have it every way.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is a command structure in the Garda.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that my Department has made any applications for exception. These are matters best referred to the Minister for Finance. In order to achieve significant savings and costs in providing public services in the coming years there is a pressing need for greater flexibility and efficiencies in the allocation of resources. It is intended that staff will be available to be reassigned...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There have not been.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I do not agree with that and past experience would confirm that it would not work. There have to be controls and a policy laid out. It is the job of Departments and agencies to support and implement the policy. When we talk about exceptional circumstances, that does not mean that every time a vacancy comes up a case is made to keep it. The policy is implemented. This means that in...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am under no illusion that I should not be able to satisfy the Deputy, no matter what answer I gave him, in any event, bar I did not have the policy I am implementing. He would be prepared to say there should not be any moratorium at all. He is in the position of being able to sit in the luxury of the back benches and in effect say, "No change to this, more of this, that and the other and...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the truth. The Deputy has no coherence to his position. He keeps criticising me for implementing policies that are trying to bring control to our public finances, but from his perspective he wants to continue on with the idea that it is "game on" as usual. The fact that we are borrowing €20 billion more this year than we are taking in is not his issue.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The punters have analysed the Deputy's point of view and he is there and I am here. That is called democracy. When it changes around, then he can implement his policies, and I shall critique them. That is the way it works. With regard to the question the Deputy asked, I have explained to him that a moratorium is in place. I have explained in detail how it would work. The Deputy does not...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: To be fair, the request to the Minister for Finance to renew contracts was made, as people in the area know, by the elected Members and not by me or my office. That matter has been clarified by everyone concerned. It would be dealt with in that context, in the same way as any other request would be dealt with.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy tables a question, with notice, I shall answer it.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot confirm or deny what is in Deputy Bannon's mind any day of the week.

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have been as helpful as possible to Deputies, beyond the remit of my own Department. In previous replies I outlined how the modulation is expected to work in the health sector for example. I have indicated the areas where a degree of flexibility is being applied. A fixed term contract does not provide for an automatic entitlement to renewal. As with anyone on a fixed term contract,...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: This policy must be implemented as part of control measures necessary in view of the public finance position. It will require a degree of flexibility by everyone concerned, including management and staff, in the interest of making sure that those who depend on the provision of public services are not unduly compromised. That is the challenge before all of us in the provision of public...

Departmental Staff. (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The arrangement will remain in place for the foreseeable future. We must find ways which do not assume that extra staff will be provided, regardless of any other consideration. Government must reprioritise and everyone must work within the new realities. The Government has an expenditure position vis-À-vis an income position which is not sustainable in the long term and must be managed...