Results 9,541-9,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fact is that all forecasts made coming into this financial year were around the same as those made by the Department of Finance. We are in an unprecedented situation, much different from that envisaged by forecasters at the tail end of last year because of what has been happening, primarily in international markets. That is a fact.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The downturn is taking place in every economy. What we must do and are intent on doing is to bring to the Dáil within three weeks a budget proposal that will set out clearly what the expenditure issues must be. With less revenue coming in it is clear economies must be made. What we must contend with are what our priorities will be as they relate to the capital programme and what the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have no problem in engaging with Deputy Kenny in that debate but the Government has a job to do.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The job of Government now is to prepare for the budget which we will bring forward on 14 October.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: What we are doing, obviously, is using the training agencies to provide whatever opportunities they can to provide upskilling and reskilling of those who, unfortunately, have lost their jobs.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: FÁS is the training agency to which people go and of whose services they avail. Regarding the overall situation, if there is an international downturn it affects a small local economy such as ours. This is happening elsewhere and we are not immune from such developments. The downturn is having an impact. It is also fair to say that there have been indications of investment from foreign...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not the situation. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will answer parliamentary questions today on what FÁS is doing to react to the increase in unemployment.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy has no confidence in what FÁS has done to help reskill workers and provide unemployed people with opportunities and pathways to employment then I am afraid he does FÁS a disservice.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: FÁS has had success in this area and I think it is only fair to say this.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: There may be other issues relating to audit matters, but they are being dealt with and this has been welcomed by the chairman and chief executive of FÁS, in the interest of maintaining confidence in the agency. I am glad that this is the approach they are taking to the issue. If the Deputy is suggesting FÁS is not helping people in any way he is doing the agency a disservice.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: In answer to Deputy Gilmore, the Government will continue to work with job creation agencies like Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. These agencies have had successes, although I notice Deputy Gilmore has not mentioned them and instead has mentioned only those people who, unfortunately, have lost jobs and who I acknowledge.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The picture painted by Deputy Gilmore is unbalanced. It is a serious situation, which we intend to confront, but I do not expect any input from the Opposition other than the sort of political point scoring we have heard this morning.

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. Vacancies arise in my Department from time to time for a variety of reasons, including staff transferring to other Departments, retirements, career breaks and resignations. In accordance with the business needs of the Department and the relevant Civil Service rules and procedures, it has been the practice to fill vacancies through...

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: It applies to the Department's full payroll.

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The figure of 3% applies to the full payroll. The Department has been given an opportunity to reduce the payroll by 3% by the end of 2009 in respect of all employees, regardless of their status.

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The reduction in payroll is envisaged on the basis of taking 3% off the payroll costs. One achieves this by examining whether to recruit people as a result of vacancies arising, the position regarding overtime and a range of issues. Such flexibility must be given to management to achieve the payroll cut. I am simply saying the payroll cut applies to the full payroll costs of the...

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The decision to manage staff resources within existing staff resources in effect means that staff vacancies arising will, in general, not be filled by means of external recruitment, which will result in a permanent reduction in the authorised staff complement for the Department. This will necessitate reviews of how staff are deployed within the Department to ensure that key areas of...

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The answer to the first question is not to my knowledge. Second, I have just explained how the payroll cut will be achieved in the Department.

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: A census of staff serving in my Department as of 31 December 2007 was conducted in February of this year. Some 5% of the 79% who responded to the survey voluntarily disclosed a disability. My Department is an equal opportunities employer and staff are recruited solely on the basis of ability to fulfil specific roles. My Department exceeds the legislative requirement of employing a 3% level...

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I explained the various codes of practice employed within my Department and I have also indicated that based on a survey, we know approximately 5% of our employees meet the definition regarding disability. With regard to the specific query raised outside the ambit of this question on comments by the Minister of State, Deputy McGuinness, those were personal and do not reflect Government policy.