Results 10,661-10,680 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that a programme of works to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities has been carried out at Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry. A new lift and stairs have been provided internally and a ramp has been installed at first floor level which accommodates the change in level between the two parts of the house. The upper floors...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (11 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Standards in Public Office Act 2001 provides for the adoption of codes of conduct, which would set down the standards of conduct and integrity to be followed by public servants and public representatives in the performance of their functions. To date, codes have been published under the Ethics Acts for office holders, TDs, Senators, civil servants, and under the Local Government...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts Social Clause (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Under EU law, public contracts above certain values must be advertised EU-wide and awarded to the most competitive tender in an open and objective process. The aim is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. It would be a breach of the rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of the Ombudsman Remit (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Ombudsman examines complaints from members of the public who believe that they have been unfairly treated by public bodies. The Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 extended the Ombudsman's remit to some 200 additional public bodies.  I understand that the Irish Tax Institute is primarily a representative and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there are a number of licence agreements in place in the Four Courts. There are two licence agreements relating to telecommunications masts on a building in the Four Courts complex along the same terms as similar arrangements on other State properties. Both of these licence agreements commenced in 2004. There are two other licence...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there have been no reports (from staff or public) of any anti-social behaviour at this property. OPW Park staff regularly monitor the vacant lodge in question to check on its condition and indications of any vandalism or such anti-social behaviour. The Phoenix Park management have been asked to make contact with the adjoining property...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The rateable valuation of a commercial property is used by a local authority to determine the rates payable. All rateable property in the Dublin City Council rating authority area, including the property referred to (details supplied), has recently been the subject of a revaluation under Part 5 of the Valuation Act, 2001. The property referred to is currently the subject of an...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Programme Expenditure (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: My Department is responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly capital expenditure at Departmental level. Within the overall allocations, individual Ministers and their Departments allocate capital funds across various projects and programmes in line with their Department's priorities. As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Measures (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following table outlines the nine pieces of legislation enacted by my Department from 2013 to date, including any commencement orders, if required. Name Enacted Summary Date Ministerial Order signed to commence Act Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2013 26/02/2013 (No. 3 of 2013) to amend the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The management of the tendering process for a public contract is a matter for each contracting authority.  It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to ensure that tenderers comply with all the requirements of the process.  Prior to the award of a public contract of a value of €10,000 (inclusive of VAT) or more within any 12-month period, the successful...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Responsibilities (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: While the Minister of State at my Department has carried out numerous functions on my behalf, particularly in relation to the Office of Public Works and Public Service Reform, no Order under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment)(No. 2) Act 1977 delegating functions to the Minister of State has been signed by me.  The senior civil servants with overall reporting responsibility in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Haddington Road Agreement made provision to address the imbalance between those who entered the Public Service since 2011 and those who entered before that date. In accordance with the Agreement revised incremental salary scales are being implemented in each public service sector for same grade entrants that incorporate the revision of salary introduced by Government in January...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Haddington Road Agreement provides for the standard working week for a public servant with a working week of 35 hours or less to increase to 37 hours a week.  The detailed implementation of this measure is a matter for local management in each public service sector in line with the operational requirements of the relevant sector.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Under the terms of the Haddington Road Agreement, it was agreed that Management would allow people to remain on their pre-Haddington Road hours with appropriate pay adjustments for a set period of time.  The Agreement provided that following this period the new work sharing provisions which are set out in the Haddington Road Agreement should apply. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Programme Expenditure (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The management of housing policy and making provision for expenditure on housing  is a matter in the first instance for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to consider. An allocation of €38.6m was made in Budget 2014 for Private Housing Grants which represented a 10% increase on the 2013 allocation. The Deputy will be aware that I...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Unfortunately the majority of suppliers registered in eTenders have not provided accurate company profile information including company registered address so we cannot report accurately on a break down by county of awards won by domestic companies above OJEU thresholds.  We are currently enhancing eTenders to encourage suppliers to enter accurate and complete company details and expect...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Government published the Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2012 on 3rd August, 2012 as part of its legislative programme. 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: Flood Prevention Measures (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the OPW, in association with Galway County Council, has developed a Flood Relief Scheme, under the Arterial Drainage Acts, for the Clare River in the environs of Claregalway. The Scheme has been approved by the Commissioners of Public Works and has been submitted to me for approval, in accordance with the requirements of the Arterial...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Grievance Procedures (10 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: There are range of mechanisms available in the civil service for dealing with complaints from staff. The most appropriate mechanism depends on the specific nature of the complaint. My Department has both put in place and is actively introducing the following policies that apply across the Civil Service: - The Positive Working Environment policy includes procedures for...

Leaders' Questions (5 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: It is not for me to declare a crime scene. That is a matter for the Garda Síochána, the independent investigator of crime in this country. All the data need to be looked at and that is what we are determined to do in a comprehensive way, as I have indicated to the House. The interdepartmental group is meeting. A range of Departments are involved, including the Department of...