Results 8,541-8,560 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Levy (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 367, 395, 396 and 404 together. It is understood that the measure to which the Deputy's question refers is the Public Service Pension Reduction. The Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR), commencing 1 January 2011, imposed reductions on annual public service pensions in payment in excess of €12,000, using a progressively tiered set of bands...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Directives (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I intend to ensure that Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement is transposed into Irish law by the end of 2015 at the latest  and the other two Directives covering the Utilities sector (2014/25/EU) and Concession Contracts (2014/23/EU) will  be transposed by the required deadline. The criteria for the award of contract will be based on the provisions in the Statutory...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 370, 393, 394 and 397 together. These questions all relate to the recent Labour Relations Commission proposals for the extension to the Public Service Stability Agreement to 2018, under the title of the 'Lansdowne Road Agreement'. Following the conclusion of discussions on pay and reform in the public service on 29 May last, the negotiators on both sides,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Based on current estimates the data sought by the Deputy is set out in the table. The actual cost of implementing any such changes may vary, depending on the staffing numbers and configuration at the relevant time. Salary Range Estimated Cost of 2.5% Increase Estimated Cost of 5%  Increase Estimated Cost of 7.5% Increase Estimated Cost of 10% Increase €...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 and 373 together. Based on estimates of current PRD yield the data sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The yield figures comprehend both full-time and part-time staff. The PRD yield, and consequently the cost of implementing any such changes, may vary from time to time, depending on the actual staffing numbers and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Levy (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts (FEMPI), provided for the implementation with effect from March 2009 of a Pension Related Deduction (PRD) or sometimes known as the "Pension Levy". The PRD applies on a progressive basis to the annualised remuneration of public servants currently employed. It does not apply to retired public servants. The recently announced...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Mar fhreagra ar an gceist, is féidir liom a dhearbhú go bhfuil "Scéim Teanga 2015-2018" mo Roinne féin leis an An Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta faoi láthair, ag fanacht ar faomhadh.  Comh luath is a tharlaíonn sé seo beidh an scéim foilsithe ar suíomh idirín na Roinne agus scaipeadh chuig na heagraíochtaí a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Mar fhreagra ar cheist ón Teachta, is é an Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí atá freagrach as cur chun feidhme an gClár Brústocaireachta 2015. Forálann Alt 9 den Acht go ndéanfaidh an Coimisiún um Chaighdeáin in Oifigí Poiblí  an gClár Brústocaireachta a bhunú agus a choimeád ar...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Directives (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: On 28 March, 2014, the European Commission published three new Directives as a collective reform of the existing EU regime for public procurement under the existing provisions of Directive 2004/17/EU - coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and Directive 2004/18/EU - on the coordination of procedures for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The reform of the public procurement infrastructure is a key element of the reform programme for the public service.  This reform enables public service organisations deliver much needed services within the tighter budgets that they must now operate.  The Government acknowledges, however, the significant role that SMEs play in the Irish economy and is committed to ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Fuel Charge Card Contract (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Fuel Charge Card contract was awarded to Topaz on 1 February 2014 for a period of 2 years with an option to extend by two further one year periods. It was awarded through a public tendering process by putting in place a single supplier Framework Agreement. The Framework is open to any public sector body to use.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Exemptions (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 was enacted on 23rd April 2015 and I have provided for it commencing generally on 8th June 2015. This Act amends Schedule 4 of the Valuation Act 2001 and will provide a partial exemption from commercial rates for Community Sports Clubs that are licensed under the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act, 1904.Community Sports clubs that do not...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In relation to the impact of PSPR on the income of public service pensioners, I met with representatives of retired public service pensioners in May 2013 and indicated at that time that it was my intention as a matter of priority to move towards reducing the burden of public service pension reductions, with the initial focus on the people in receipt of low pensions, at the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As a reform measure, with effect from 6 April 1995, Regulations were introduced by the then Minister for Social Welfare which provided that modified social insurance status no longer applied to civil or public servants appointed on or after 6 April 1995.  Staff subsequently appointed to established positions in the civil service were liable to make Class A PRSI contributions...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Civil Service Renewal Plan (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: One of the central characteristics of effective accountability arrangements is knowing 'who does what and to whom they are answerable'.  The Public Service Management Act 1997 provides a statutory framework for the assignment of specific functions from the Secretary General to officials within Departments, with accountability flowing upwards to the Secretary General for the performance...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Performance Management and Development System (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: My Department has overall responsibility for policy on the measurement of individual staff performance in the Civil Service through the Performance Management System (PMDS).  The management of staff performance in the wider Public Service is a matter for each individual sector. Action 11 in the Civil Service Renewal Plan, launched in October 2014, is to 'strengthen the performance...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 392 together. Under the terms of the proposed Agreement the following measures apply in 2016. On 1 January the exemption threshold for payment of Pension Related Deduction (PRD) will increase from €15,000 per annum to €24,750 per annum. On 1 January annualised salaries up to €24,000 are increased by 2.5%. On 1 January annualised...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pensions Levy (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together. It is assumed that the Deputy's question is referring to the public service Pension-Related Deduction (PRD).  PRD is estimated to yield in the region of €890 million in 2015. This estimate does not include non-Exchequer PRD receipts, such as those arising for example in the local government sector. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Valuation Office (9 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There has been significant progress made by the Valuation Office in the national revaluation programme which aims to revalue all commercial property in the State for the first time in 150 years. The task of valuing c. 146,000 properties is significant as is the process of engagement with occupiers of properties who wish to make representations on their proposed valuations or to appeal their...

Aer Lingus Share Disposal: Motion (Resumed) (27 May 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I welcome Deputy Calleary to the House, as otherwise we would not have a single Opposition Deputy present for this very important debate.