Results 8,301-8,320 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Programmes (16 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware my Department does not have any paper based application processes for members of the public however we are taking major strides towards a paperless working environment.  We introduced a system for the electronic processing of PQs which has reduced the huge amount of paper associated with this process.  This is complemented by an esubmissions system. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reports (16 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The 2014 Annual Report for my department was published on the department's website in March 2015 and is available at in both English and Irish.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (16 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act, 2001 provides in Schedule 3, Sections 1(a) and (b) that all buildings and lands used or developed for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable.  The basic premise under the Act is that all interests (including buildings) and lands used or developed for any purpose (irrespective of whether such lands are surfaced) and any constructions...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of the Ombudsman Investigations (16 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The reply to PQ 290 explained about the independent role of the Ombudsman and outlined details of the non-statutory internal appeals procedure for decisions of the Ombudsman.  This allows for a re-examination of a complaint by a caseworker who has had no previous involvement in the case and who is in a more senior position than the original caseworker.  Details of this procedure are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Cases (16 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that the costs arising from the Commission for Public Service Appointments' successful defence of a Judicial Review case have not yet been settled and have been referred to the Taxing Master. I consider therefore that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter pending the conclusion of the hearing on costs.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Pensions (15 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: While it has been possible to apply proportionate reductions to existing pensions, as has been done to date under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest legislation, account must be taken of the fact that pension benefits are viewed as vested property rights, which limits the action that can be taken. I am advised that legislation cannot selectively...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (15 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 318 and 331 of 14 July 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 331 together. I strongly share the view that the pensions of many former Office Holders are very high. However, the pension levels paid to former office holders are based on their salaries at the point of departure agreed and implemented by previous Governments. The Courts view pensions as vested property...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: By-election Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There have been 8 by-elections to the current Dáil and Seanad which are listed in the following table together with the estimated costs, where available.  Four of the by-elections were held on the same day as another election event in that constituency and, therefore, the by-election costs reflect savings from a sharing of people and facilities. As a result of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together. The National Lottery provides funds for "Good Causes" in accordance with the National Lottery Act 2013.  The areas to be funded are set out under section 41 (1) of the National Lottery Act. They include: - sport and recreation, - national culture and heritage (including the Irish language), - the arts (within the meaning of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Valuation Office (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act 2001 provides in Schedule 3, paragraphs 1(a) and (b) that all buildings and lands used for any purpose including constructions affixed thereto are rateable. The basic premise under the Act is that all interests (including buildings) and all developed land are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4. For rateable valuation purposes, the administrative...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 332 together. I refer the Deputy to my previous reply on this matter in Question No. 127 of 9 July.  There are no discussions underway on the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ombudsman's Reports (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The reply to PQ No. 290 explained about the independent role of the Ombudsman and outlined details of the non-statutory internal appeals procedure for decisions of the Ombudsman.  This allows for a re-examination of a complaint by a caseworker who has had no previous involvement in the case and who is in a more senior position than the original caseworker.  Details of this procedure...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Court Judgments (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that the costs arising from the Commission for Public Service Appointments' successful defence of a Judicial Review case have not yet been settled and have been referred to the Taxing Master. I consider therefore that it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this matter pending the conclusion of the hearing on costs.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As part of my responsibilities as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for the terms and conditions of employment of public servants.  However, specific policies relating to work sharing in each of the sectors, other than the civil service, are dealt with by the appropriate responsible minister. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Postcode System Implementation (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware my department does not administer any large schemes aimed at the general public which would necessitate the immediate inclusion of Eircode data on to the Department's databases.  It will be incorporated into databases on an on-going basis and as the need arises.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Lansdowne Road Agreement (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I refer to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 2 July 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Under Section 28 (2) of the State Property Act 1954, the Minister for Finance assumes responsibility for all personal property and land vested in or held in trust for a body corporate (other than personal property or land held by such body in trust for another person) immediately prior to its dissolution. Upon the dissolution of the body corporate, such property becomes State property. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: My Department does not compile a list of the State funding that is awarded to foreign private companies or to indigenous private companies. Grant funding of this nature is managed through relevant departments and their agencies.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Road Projects Status (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: My Department has led a review of the public capital investment needs of the State for the five year period 2016-2020.  The outcome of this review will be set out in the Medium Term Capital Investment Framework Report which will outline the Government's decisions in relation to the capital allocations for Departments for the period to 2020.  We now expect to...