Results 8,461-8,480 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together. The Valuation Office completed its revaluation of Limerick at the end of 2014. This is part of a programme that will see the valuation of all commercial properties in the State brought up to date, by reference to modern property values, and maintained on a rolling 5-10 year cycle of revaluations as provided for in the Valuation Act...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Acts 2001 to 2015 provide for the same basis of valuation for rating purposes for all electricity generating facilities whether they are renewable energy plants or fossil fuel plants. The basis of valuation, whether valuing a renewable energy plant or a fossil fuel plant, is  provided for in section 48 of the Acts, net annual value, that is, the rent for which, one...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Calculations (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 to 285, inclusive, together. These questions all relate to the methodology used in the valuation of wind farms. The Valuation Office, as part of a programme that will see the valuation of all commercial properties in the State brought up to date, by reference to modern property values, and maintained on a rolling 5-10 year cycle of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: At the outset, I wish to make clear that persons in civil partnerships or in same sex marriages are not discriminated against under any aspect of the public service pension scheme. The public service operates a Spouses' and Children's Contributory Pension Scheme. This provides benefits to Spouses or Children of deceased members. In summary, when a member dies after retirement, a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy may wish to note that recruitment to the civil and public service is governed by the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 and by the Civil Service Regulation Acts, 1956-2005. The 2004 Act provides for the establishment of the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) and of the Public Appointments Service (PAS). PAS - an independent...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (No. 5 of 2015) (the Act) will commence on 1 September 2015. The Act is designed to provide information to the public about: - Who is lobbying; - On whose behalf is lobbying being carried out; - What are the issues involved in the lobbying; - What is the intended result of the lobbying; - Who is being lobbied. The Act provides for: - The establishment and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Records (24 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: My Department does not use any system software for the auto-deletion of email messages.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Government Contracts (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Remedies Regulations: European Communities (Public Authorities' Contracts) (Review Procedures) Regulations 2010 and European Communities (Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) (Review Procedures) Regulations 2010 (SI 130 and 131) allow tenderers or candidates who feel that a procurement process was not carried out in an open, fair and transparent manner the option of seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Responsibilities (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputies question I can confirm that the allocation of responsibilities and the composition of Departments is a matter for the Taoiseach.  The cost of a hypothetical Department of Housing would depend on the size and scope of such an organisation, as well as the role and functions that might be assigned.  With regard to the current structures and costs for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Bodies (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: While my Department sets out Departmental expenditure ceilings and monitors spending on an ongoing basis, it is a matter for individual Ministers and their Departments to decide on the specific projects and programmes that will be delivered from within these allocations and to ensure adherence to Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings. Expenditure profiles for all Departmental Vote Groups are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Tribunals of Inquiry Reports (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together. The Deputy may wish to note that one recommendation (62.15) of the Moriarty Tribunal falls within my remit.  This recommendation seeks that consideration be given to the introduction of a discretionary or voluntary system to be assumed by positive election on the part of Office Holders within the meaning of the Ethics in Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Expenditure (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) is responsible for overseeing the conduct of appointment processes to a wide range of positions in the Civil and Public Service.  In carrying out its independent statutory functions, the CPSA must, on occasions, seek independent legal advice on issues that come to light in the course of its examination of appointment processes....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ombudsman's Reports (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Ombudsman Act 1980 established the Office of the Ombudsman and provided a legislative mandate for the Ombudsman to monitor administrative accountability by ensuring that public service activities are carried out properly, fairly and in accordance with good administrative practice.  The Ombudsman is independent of Government and is appointed by the President.  The Ombudsman...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Charities Regulation (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act, 2001 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act and the making of valuations is his sole prerogative and I, as Minister, have no role in decisions in this regard. The position under the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Social Partnership Deals (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 295, inclusive, together. I assume the Deputy is referring to the recent Labour Relations Commission proposals for the extension to the existing Public Service Stability Agreement (Haddington Road Agreement) out to 2018, under the title of the 'Lansdowne Road Agreement'. Like the previous Haddington Road Agreement,  the current...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question there are currently two state boards under my remit, these are the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Institute of Public Administration (IPA).  As the Deputy will be aware during the tendering process for the National Lottery licence I considered it appropriate to re-appoint two of the Ministerial nominees to the An Post National...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 299, inclusive, together. The National Lottery Fund was established under the National Lottery Act 1986 and continues in being by virtue of Section 44 of the National Lottery Act 2013.  The fund is now managed by the National Lottery Regulator. Prior to his appointment last November it was managed by my Department.  The fund...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It would not be an appropriate amendment for this legislation but the Deputy has made his point. This is not enormously radical legislation and it is not a Bill the Executive should bulldoze through without building as much consensus as is possible, so if Deputies feel strongly about the appointment of the other, non-TLAC designated officers, they can table amendments and we can discuss them...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Management Fees (Local Property Tax) Relief Bill 2015: First Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: No.