Results 6,781-6,800 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: During this exceptional time, whereby a significant number of public servants are required to work from home, in line with public health advice, my Department has published central guidance on working arrangements during COVID-19 for the Civil and Public Service. This guidance is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/0cfe6-update-24th-august-2020-to-g...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table. I wish to advise the Deputy that the procurement processes for these contracts were carried out in accordance with the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services which aim to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that my own Department has not had any projects with a capital spend in excess of €20 million since 2016. The details of the capital spend for the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is an Office under the aegis of my Department, are set out in the following table. Project Name Dept. / Body Responsible County NUTS3...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: Managing the delivery of public services within allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department. There are important measures in place at all times to ensure that our budgetary targets are being met. This relates to Covid-19 related expenditure as it does to all other expenditure in the normal course of events. My Department is in regular contact with all other Departments...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy will be aware that the matter of community employment schemes falls within the policy remit of my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection. I have however a strong appreciation of the role of Community Employment Schemes in communities right across the country and I know this role could not be fulfilled without the leadership of the Scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: My Department's operations are financed by three distinct Votes to fund the Department itself (Vote 11) and the two Offices which are also part of the Department - the Office of Government Procurement (Vote 39) and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Vote 43). The 2020 allocation for these Votes is set out in the following table. Gross - €m ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: In line with the commitments made in the Public Service Stability Agreement, public service salaries have been restored for public servants earning up to approx. €70,000 (over 90% of public servants).

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Data Protection (3 Nov 2020)

Michael McGrath: The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has a data breach management policy in place to ensure that any data breaches are dealt with as required under Articles 33-34 of the GDPR. In line with this policy, the Department identified and recorded seven data breaches during 2019. None of the breaches identified in the Department in 2019 required formal notification to the Data...

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (22 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I move the following Revised Estimates: Vote 28 — Foreign Affairs (Further Revised Estimate) That a sum not exceeding €225,444,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2020, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and for certain services administered by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commissioner for Environmental Information (22 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I am informed by the Commissioner for Environmental Information that costs have not been sought in this matter having regard to the special costs rules, as provided for in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011.  Section 3(1) of the 2011 Act provides that, in certain environmental cases including proceedings concerning the AIE Regulations, the general rule is that each...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (21 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: Government Departments and Offices have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated public health requirements by introducing new measures of flexibility in working arrangements. Civil Service Departments and Offices have been advised by my Department, as standard practice across the public service during COVID-19, to consider all forms of flexible working...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Criminal Assets Bureau (21 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: The Criminal Assets Bureau is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Criminal Assets Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. In accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Acts 1996-2016, all funds collected by the Criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Magdalen Laundries (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: My Department is currently working to finalise guidelines on foot of the Ombudsman's report referred to by the Deputy. The intention is that these guidelines, while not addressing any one particular issue or circumstance, will support any Department which has to consider whether the establishment of a scheme for redress might be appropriate. My Department has engaged with a number of other...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Funding (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: In May 2018 the European Commission included a special new cross-border EU funding programme, PEACE PLUS, in its proposals for the Multi-Annual Financial Framework and EU Cohesion policy for the 2021-27 period. The proposal for this special new programme demonstrates the importance placed by the EU and by the governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom on the strengthening of peace and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Carbon Tax Yield (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I refer the Deputy to the publication on budget.gov.ie of the document "The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2021". This document describes the revenue that is expected to be raised by the increased carbon tax in 2021 and the allocation of these sums to particular spending programmes. In summary, the sum of the revenues raised by the continuation of the €6 carbon tax increase announced in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Offices (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has one room in its offices in both St. Stephen’s Green House and in Tullamore where dedicated space is provided for breastfeeding and / or expressing breast milk. My Department does not provide such dedicated spaces in its other office locations. In line with Government policy, breastfeeding employees of my Department are entitled to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Equality Proofing of Budgets (20 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: Built on the performance budgeting framework that has been progressively embedded into the budget cycle, Equality Budgeting in Ireland has been developed over recent years with a view to enhancing the role of resource allocation policies in advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 also contains a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: Where an employee is going to be absent from work due to a medical procedure their employer will advise them about the arrangements that apply in their own case as these may differ depending on the specific circumstances. In general terms, if it is determined by a medical professional that a public servant must travel abroad for what is deemed to be an essential health procedure, normal sick...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commissioner for Environmental Information (15 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: The recovery of costs in respect of matters before the Commissioner for Environmental Information is governed by the special costs rules, as provided for in the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001. Section 3(1) of the 2011 Act provides that, in certain environmental cases including proceedings concerning the AIE Regulations, the general rule is that each party must bear its own...

Seanad: Budget 2021: Statements (14 Oct 2020)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Cathaoirleach. This is my first address to the House and I am delighted to have the opportunity to come to the House to say a few words about budget 2021. I will engage with Senators on the different issues they may wish to raise. In framing the budget, the Government has been faced with a level of uncertainty without precedent in modern times. We continue to live with the...