Results 10,481-10,500 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

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

Brendan Howlin: The number of public service pensioners is set out annually in the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services (REV).  The 2014 REV estimates that there will be just under 150,000 public service pensioners by end year, which is just under an additional 5,000 new pensioners compared with 2013, on a net basis.  This figure for pensioners includes retired public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Process (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As you are aware, the Private Members' Valuation Bill 2014 had its Second Stage debate in the Dáil last Friday, 4 July 2014 and the Bill was referred, for Committee Stage, to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform. Minister of State Paul Kehoe  responded to the Bill on my behalf. The Bill was not opposed by the Government but technical,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Process (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Government published the Valuation (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2012 on 3 August 2012 as part of its legislative programme and the Bill proceeded through its second stage in Seanad Éireann on 11 October 2012. The primary purpose of the Bill is to accelerate the national programme of revaluing every commercial and industrial property in the country which is being undertaken by the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rent Reviews (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: It is important to acknowledge that commercial rates, as a source of revenue, and the rating system generally, are deeply embedded in the local government system. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces.  All rates collected within a local authority area...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pensions Levy (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Public  Service Pension-related Deduction (PRD) which applies to public servants. The Pension-related Deduction is progressively structured so that better-paid staff pay proportionately more. The first €15,000 of annual earnings are free of PRD.  Nevertheless, all measures are subject to ongoing review and as provided for in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Bodies Abolition (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware,  in 2011 the Government undertook a wide ranging and detailed review of State agencies across the public service, and this review process formed the basis of the State agency rationalisation programme.  This unprecedented programme of reform  has resulted in almost 190 fewer State agencies, and there are a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Economic Models (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The necessary expenditure reductions which have taken place over the past number of years have seen Ireland emerge from the Troika programme and its economy return to growth. Throughout this difficult period of fiscal adjustment, this Government has at all times endeavoured to spread the burden fairly throughout the economy in order to protect the most vulnerable in society. The Deputy will...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 318 together. I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the OPW is progressing the Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts. Under these statutory provisions, a 4-6 weeks consultation period will take place, through a formal Public Exhibition, which will be commenced before the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Data (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the Freedom of Information request details you are seeking concerning my Department since its formation in March 2011: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Freedom of Information Request details - 2011 - 2014 Details 2011 2012 2013 2014 Number of Requests received 61 178 99 50 Number of Requests refused 5 20 8 5...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: There are 10 staff in my Department who are currently on a sabbatical/career break.  The duration of leave currently availed off can be broken down as follows: Length of Leave of Absence Number of Staff 0 - 6 months 1 6 - 12 months 0 1 - 2 years 3 2 - 3 years 4 3 - 4 years 2 4 - 5 years 0 5 years plus 0 Total 10

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value. The Office of Public Works has availed...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Relations Contracts Data (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no external public relations firm was availed of by my Department since its formation. However the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The total amount spent on external IT consultants by my Department each year since its establishment in June 2011 is as follows: Year Amount 2011 €0 2012 €30,750 2013 €164,608.44 2014 290,394.37

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: My Department awards contracts for IT consultancy following requests for tenders advertised on the public procurement website, . These are typically awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous of the tenders received. My Department was established in June 2011. While no contracts for external IT consultants have been re-negotiated since then, all new contracts have been...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware in 2011 the Government introduced new arrangements for the appointment of State board members.  Under the new arrangementsDepartments now invite expressions of interest on their websites from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis. It is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, political affiliations or geographical...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that they have not undertaken any assessment of storm damage caused to coastal farmlands. The carrying out of such an assessment would be a matter for the relevant Local Authority in the first instance. As indicated in the reply of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the Deputy's identical question on this subject on 17 June,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Process (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question my Department has published twenty-one Bills since I was appointed Minister with five Bills requiring a Regulatory Impact Assessment. The following is a list of the five Regulatory Impact Assessments carried out: Name of Act / Bill Regulatory Impact Assessment carried out Construction Contracts Act RIA published on 27 September 2011. Signed into law on...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Debt Collection (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that neither Department, nor any agency under my remit have engaged the services of a debt collection agency in pursuing money owed. My Department does not have any guidelines in this regard.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Remuneration (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: My Department was established in July 2011 and the following table contains details of increments paid for July 11 to date.  The payment of increments is conducted in accordance with centrally agreed arrangements and in line with Government pay policy.  Changes arising from the Haddington Road Agreement are also now applied as appropriate. Grade/Level July 2011 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Na Forais Thuaidh Theas (8 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Eisíonn mo Roinn agus an Roinn Airgeadais agus Pearsanra i dTuaisceart Éireann doiciméad comhaontaithe Treoir Pleanála Gnó chuig na ForaisThuaidh Theas gach bliain. San áireamh sa Treoir Pleanála Gnó bíonn treoir maidir leis an íos-sábháil éifeachtúlachta a bhíonn le cur i gcrích ag na Forais an bhliain dár...