Results 10,021-10,040 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Under EU and national rules, the public procurement of works, supplies and service contracts above certain thresholds must be awarded on the basis of objective and non-restrictive criteria. The aim of these European rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. It would be a breach of the rules for a public body...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: All public bodies are already required under guidelines for the engagement of consultants to ensure that: - a firm business case is properly established prior to the engagement process; - consultancy services are acquired in the most economical manner in accordance withnational and EU rules on procurement, specifically that consultants are appointed in an open, competitive and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts Data (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: One of the key priorities set out in the Public Service Reform Plan is to reduce costs and achieve better value for money through reform of public procurement. The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) was launched in July 2013 and operates as an office of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The OGP is responsible for procurement policy and procedures and together with the four...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The restriction on recruitment and promotion in the Public Service has achieved two important objectives:  firstly, it has helped to reduce the Exchequer pay bill, which  had reached an unsustainable level; secondly, it has provided a real impetus for Public Service Reform and the roll out of new and more efficient ways of delivering public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60 and 62 to 65, inclusive, together. Managing the delivery of public services within Departmental Budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department, and several measures are in place to help ensure that these budgetary targets continue to be met. My Department is in regular communication with all Departments and Offices to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Since this Government took office, sustainable and far reaching Public Service Reform has been a key element of our strategy to meet the challenges that have faced the country in recent years.  Public Service Reform will also continue to play a key role in our recovery.  We published our first Public Service Reform Plan in November 2011.  A Progress Report...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Housing Issues (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As part of the Estimates and Budgetary process for 2015, the Government will be considering all options for increasing the supply of social housing, including the funding of  the purchase of existing houses and the construction of new  houses by local authorities. 

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: My Department is currently finalising a review of the public capital programme with a view to setting the Government's investment strategy and capital budget for the five year period ahead. The key issues for the capital review will be the Governments economic and social priorities including the investments that would best support economic recovery and social progress. Full details will be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (9 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The key objectives for my department over the next five years, as I see it, will be: (a) To manage public expenditure at sustainable levels in a planned, rational and balanced manner in support of Ireland's economic development and social progress; and (b) To have public administration and Government structures that are transparent, effective, efficient, innovative,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commissions of Investigation (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no commissions of investigation, inquiries or similar investigations were established under my Department during the past 12 months nor, at this stage, are there any plans to establish any commission of investigations, inquiries or similar investigations under my Department in the next 12 months.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act, 2001 provides for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches, land on golf courses, tennis courts, etc. It also provides for the exemption from rates of "Community Halls". To be classified as a Community Hall, the premises needs to be used for purposes which are not for profit or gain and involve participation by inhabitants of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The allocations involved will be agreed in the context of the Budget 2015 Estimates of Expenditure. These will be made public on Budget Day, Tuesday 14 October.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: IBEC Membership (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the only State Agency or organisation under the remit of my Department which is a member of IBEC is the Institute of Public Administration and the amounts paid by them to IBEC in the years 2011,2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 is as follows: Year Annual Subscription Fees HRM Guide (Updates) 2011 €3,934.60 €181.50 2012 €3,858.20...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Waterways Ireland Staff (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Five of the six North/South Implementation Bodies, including Waterways Ireland, along with Tourism Ireland, operate the North/South Pension Scheme (N/SPS).  The Scheme is unique in covering public service staff employed on both sides of the border; staff of the affiliated employers in this jurisdiction ('southern members') are automatically members of the Scheme.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Staff (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am informed by the Oireachtas Commission that it complies with the principles of the 2009 Moratorium on recruitment and no posts falling vacant may be filled or new posts created without the sanction of the Commission. An overall reduction of 11% in staff has been achieved.  The practice since 2009 is to report once annually to the Commission on the number of staff in place and the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Costs (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Circular 05/13, the Procurement of Legal Services and Managing Legal Costs, reminds public bodies of their obligations to ensure that their procurement of legal services complies with the rules and guidelines on public procurement. The Circular also outlines appropriate competitive procedures that can be used in the engagement of legal services and sets out a number of approaches and tools...

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (2 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: They fall into the two categories I have instanced. For example, I do not want to disadvantage commercial State bodies that are operating in competition with non-State bodies. The other category comprises North-South bodies. Surprising and all as it is, capturing them would require a renegotiation of the North-South agreement.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (2 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Members of the House for their focus on this landmark legislation. Freedom of information is one of the suite of measures that will be transformative of the way we conduct public affairs and, I hope, rebuild a broken trust with the general public. Senators have different opinions on how freedom of information impacts, with some more jaundiced than others. Given international best...

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (2 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Those listed under section 42 are European and outside our purview.

Seanad: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (2 Oct 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I perfectly understand the logic and reasoning of both Senators in advancing this amendment. As they rightly state, under the Fines Act 2010, a class B fine currently stands at not more than €4,000 on summary conviction. By way of explanation of how such matters come about, we take advice from the Office of the Attorney General on the appropriate level of penalty into which each...