Results 13,141-13,160 of 26,610 for speaker:David Cullinane

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: -----and its recommendations that existing contracts would be reviewed. As I said, several employees contacted me a number of weeks ago because RTÉ's management still has not contacted them. At our last meeting, I sought a breakdown of the 157 reviews in terms of the 433 contracts. I also asked what was done, how many people were contacted and, if not, why. I sought that information...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: Months have elapsed yet many of the workers have not heard anything. One way or another, can we follow on these matters?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: Did we follow up?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: Did we get a response?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: Yes, it was only last week so we can wait another week.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: I want to note that it is unacceptable that the public servants have decided not to attend. Representatives of a number of bodies have volunteered to attend our meetings.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: For example, representatives of private nursing home providers and RTÉ have done so.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: We have just dealt with RTÉ issues. The non-attendance is an act of bad faith and it is not good enough to just furnish us with information. We want to examine the issue of housing and one of the biggest issues is the relationship between the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and local authorities. That is one of the obvious links, and especially in an environment...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: As the Chairman has said, these people are not just anybody. They are CEOs and representatives of local authorities across the State. I do not think that we, as a committee, should just accept their correspondence and note it. We need to contact them again and say we have a job of work to do in terms of our evaluation of housing and processes. They have a valuable role to play. It is...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: We cannot compel them, or, rather, we can, but we cannot force them. We have to point out to them they have to come before us.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: We could have gone directly to a number of the bigger local authorities-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: -----and asked the CEOs to come. However, we went through the proper channels. That point should be made. We did the right thing. This is the body that represents all the CEOs of local authorities. It has a clear function. I imagine one of its functions is to help policymakers and help the Oireachtas. Why is it there in the first place if it is not prepared to come before the committee?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: This relates to sick days.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: We need to be careful how we respond to this letter. It relates to people who have applied for sick leave. I do not want to cast aspersions on any individuals. The figures may point to issues in the work environment in some State bodies. The average number of sick days across the public service is 10.1. I look at those organisations with above average numbers. The Department of...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: It could be and there might be issues.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: Three weeks is still high. Revenue at 11.4 represents two weeks. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is at 11.2. I ask the secretariat to take a note of those that are above average and we can put them to officials from those Departments when they appear before the committee. We need a response from them when they appear. There are significant variations. For example, the...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: I wish to be clear. I am not saying anything is wrong with the public servants who claim sick leave. I am just looking at the variations. The Chairman made the point that the number for the Prison Service is high for very obvious reasons. That highlights the need to look at the environment in which these people work. These are public servants who deserve our support and protection. The...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: The problem was not with the response rate, which is high. I have an issue with the nature of the survey which is a self-assessment survey. Was it the CEO who signed the letter?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (29 Nov 2018)

David Cullinane: The CEO states that these are accurate figures. It is an assessment, an estimate. It cannot be said it is accurate because it is self-assessment. What controls are in place? What follow-up inspections take place to ensure the figures are accurate? We were never given any information to reassure us that is the case. I do not accept that these are accurate figures. While it is great that...