Results 12,781-12,800 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Top Level Appointments Commission Report (18 Sep 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the analysis report completed by the Top Level Appointments Commission (TLAC) on public sector appointments entitled 'Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) - First Report to the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform - Development & Trends: July 2011 to December 2012' is available on my Department's website at: .

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Jobs Initiative (18 Sep 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The details of Jobsbridge intern placements in my Department are set out in the table below. In accordance with the scheme the host organisation may not have vacancies in the area of activity in which the internship is offered and no intern has been offered employment following their internship; however the scheme provides job seekers with the opportunity to gain quality work experience...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Brendan Howlin: A further cut in higher-value public service pensions was decided on by Government earlier this year, and was subsequently legislated for as part of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, which implemented the direct pay and pension reductions noted as part of the Haddington Road Agreement. This further pension cut took effect on 1 July 2013 by way of changes to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Oireachtas Members' Remuneration (18 Sep 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Statutory Instrument No. 530 of 2011 provides for an annual allowance to be paid to the chairpersons of 15 specified committees. The amount of this allowance was reduced on 1 July 2013, in line with the provisions of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013. The new rate for 14 of these committees is €8,740 if the chairperson is a TD and €5,989 if the...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I regard this as one of the most important Bills that I have been privileged to introduced. It is an overarching power for the Oireachtas - either each House or both Houses acting in consort - to conduct inquiries into matters of public importance. It was the Government's opinion that we should strengthen the powers of the Oireachtas to find matters of culpability in respect of inquiries,...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Senator for the series of amendments. I will take amendments Nos. 10 and 11 together first because they relate to the confidentiality of Cabinet discussions. Section 71(1)(a) provides that the committee shall not direct a person to give evidence or documents relating to discussions at a meeting of the Government or a committee appointed by the Government whose membership...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas (Inquiries, Privileges and Procedures) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Section 3 states that "expenses incurred in the administration of this Act shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas." I do not think that should be controversial.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: You broke it and we are fixing it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: You do need it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: More people are working.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Some 2,000 per month.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: More insights than Fianna Fáil anyway.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Send in the next one. Deputy Dooley has failed again.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Valuation Office has been conducting a revaluation of all commercial and industrial properties in the Waterford rating authority areas (Waterford City Council, Waterford County Council and Dungarvan Town Council) and in the Dublin City rating authority as part of its ongoing programme to revalue all such properties in the State. This has resulted in the issue...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ 31103/13 of 26th June, 2013 in relation to the background to the Revaluation process currently underway in Waterford. The application of a moratorium to a revaluation because of local authority amalgamation considerations is not provided for under the Valuation Act, 2001, as the application of such an option would not affect the valuation process....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Office is currently undertaking a systematic programme of revaluing, for rates purposes, all industrial and commercial properties in the State. The immediate objective of the national revaluation programme is to ensure that the first revaluation of all rating authority areas is conducted as soon as possible. Revaluation is conducted across all relevant properties in one or more...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Information and Communications Technology Issues (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: My Department provides information and communications technologies (ICT) on a shared services basis to my Department and to the Department of Finance. We continue to update the use of technology in accordance with an agreed plan for both Departments and development of new ICT strategies for my Department and for the Department of Finance have been initiated. Suitable risk assessments will be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Irish Presidency completed detailed, lengthy and complex negotiations with the European Parliament, and achieved a provisional agreement on the Public Procurement Reform Package relating to: General public procurement directive (Classical Directive); Procurement in the utilities sector (Utilities Directive); and Services concessions (Concessions Directive). This is the first time that a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Sick Leave (18 Jul 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I understand from the details supplied that the Deputy is enquiring about whether a policy will be introduced requiring civil servants to include any element of paid sick leave in claims for damages arising as a result of the actions of a third party. I understand that this is provided for in sick leave policies in other sectors of the public service. Work is underway in my Department with...