Results 8,321-8,340 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

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

Brendan Howlin: The 2014 sick leave statistics present the first information available on the impact of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme, introduced on 31 March 2014 for the majority of public servants and on 1 September 2014 for the Education Sector. While the revised scheme was not in operation for the full twelve month period, the statistics illustrate that the new arrangements have made a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Requests (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 336 and 337 together. I am not aware of the details of specific cases to which the Deputy's question refers.   In light of the objectives of the FOI reform legislation, it would clearly be a matter of concern if the circumstances set out by the Deputy pertained in practice in relation to any FOI request.  However, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Lobbying Activities (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 sets out arrangements for bringing transparency to lobbying activities through a web-based register. The Act does apply to lobbying activities which take place within the State even though the lobbyist is based abroad. Foreign lobbyists who run a lobbying campaign aimed at Irish officials within the State cannot assume that their activities are...

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

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the current average age of staff in my Department and the bodies under my aegis including variations from 2008 and 2011.  2008 2011 2015 Department of Public Expenditure and Reform * 47.1 43.48 The State Laboratory 44 45 45 Institute of Public Administration 48.17 44.41 48.56 The Public Appointments Service 38 44...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: We have certainly strayed now.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. This particular amendment is somewhat extraneous to the Bill, which is about the appointment of the Clerk and Secretary General of the House. I will make one general observation and comment on the amendment. It is not the first time I have listened to a speech like the one I have just heard, as if the Deputy had within his heart the full...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I listened very carefully to everything the Deputy said. The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission under law has a statutory function in preparing guidelines for Members on the use of all accommodation in the Houses. The Office of the Superintendent of the Houses supports the commission in carrying out this statutory function. These guidelines indicate that in the event of difficulty or...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Choice is not patronage.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I do not know whether Deputy Ross has misread the Bill or does not understand the status quo. These provisions represent a fundamental step towards exactly the culture he is talking about. Under the current regime, the Ceann Comhairle selects the Clerk from the staff of the House. I am proposing that the post be filled by way of a competition that is open to all and administered through...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I strongly welcome debate on this sort of legislation. In truth we do not have enough proper debate in the House in terms of how the House itself should be structured. I have said from the beginning that I do not believe this is a matter that should be determined by the Executive: it is a matter for the House. One of the main thrusts of this legislation is for the Executive to withdraw,...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Order for Report Stage (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy should take a minute to get his breath back.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In welcoming the proposals developed between public service employers and the representative associations and unions for an extension to the Haddington Road Agreement out to September 2018, I indicated that I intended to bring forward separate proposals to Government to provide also for a reduction in the impact of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) as it applies to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Department of Social Protection currently allocates a significant level of Exchequer funding (€373.3m in 2015) to private companies in the community sector who are contracted to deliver the CE Scheme programme, this includes the subsidies which are currently provided towards the pay of CE Supervisors. However it is important to remember that the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (8 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, 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 that will be published when approved by Government.  It will outline the capital envelope decided upon by the Government for the period to 2020...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question my Department does not administer any grant schemes to community groups or projects.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (8 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In January 2011, as part of the response to the fiscal crisis then faced by the country, an emergency measure to reduce public service pensions (Public Service Pension Reduction- PSPR) in payment was introduced. A further reduction for higher value pensions was introduced in July 2013.  In welcoming the proposals developed between public service employers and the representative...

Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion (7 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I take it the Estimates have been noted.

Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion (7 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There is a motion to note them.

Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion (7 Jul 2015)

Brendan Howlin: They complain it is too far away.