Results 14,481-14,500 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: PEACE Programme (7 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: On 8 February 2013 the European Council agreement on the MFF included provision for funding of €150 million towards a new PEACE Programme as part of the new EU Budget. This budget is subject to European Parliament agreement. The total size of the programme, including funding from Ireland and the UK, will depend on the outcome of programme planning. The planning process for a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Staff (7 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Discussions have taken place between public service employers and the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions regarding the Government’s stated intention to reach agreement on securing the required overall savings of €1bn from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015. Following intensive engagement between the parties, which was facilitated by the...

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Who put them there?

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Have you only discovered that now?

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: They were too busy wrecking the country.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is our second year.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Make that man Minister for Finance.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: He has not read it anyway.

Health Insurance: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Not at all.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases. However, as I have indicated, the intention is that staff retiring before the end of August, 2014 will have their pension and lump sum calculated by reference to the current pay rates, that is, the rates before the pay reductions which will apply from 1 July, 2013 to pay rates above €65,000.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Croke Park Agreement Issues (6 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement was an Industrial Relations Agreement negotiated and agreed between public service employers and the public service committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as representatives of employees in the public service. For associations who are not affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, a parallel process of discussion and negotiation was...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Tribunals of Inquiry Recommendations (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: On the Moriarty Tribunal recommendation in relation to Ethics and the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO), I am undertaking a comprehensive review of how ethics legislation should be reformed to provide a single, comprehensive legislative framework grounded on a clear set of principles. In that context I am examining the appropriate approach to the implementation of relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Forfeiture of Oireachtas Pension Benefits (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 249 together. Historically the concept of forfeiture of pension benefits has been provided for under legislation such as the Forfeiture Act 1870 and Offences Against the State Act 1939. The terms of some pension schemes also envisaged circumstances where a pension might be forfeited. However this concept of forfeiture has been the subject of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Remuneration (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I refer to my reply to Questions Nos. 10756, 10760 and 10854 of 28 February 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Agencies (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am satisfied that adequate resources are being provided to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Standards in Public Office Commission, to fully carry out their duties. The Office of the Ombudsman and the Standards in Public Office Commission are independent bodies. I am not aware of any difficulties arising in these organisations as a result of funding constraints and the organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is assumed the Deputy is seeking information about public service pension expenditure and not State pensions paid by the Department of Social Protection. In this regard, I would refer the Deputy to the Analysis of Exchequer Pay and Pensions Bill 2007 – 2012, published by the Central Pay Policy Section of the Remuneration and Industrial Relations Division of my Department. This...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Licence Sale (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in April 2012 that there will be a competition for the next National Lottery licence. It is envisaged that the competition will take place later this year. I have advised retailer representative bodies that it is my intention to safeguard the existing rates of commission paid to retailers under the terms of the next licence. I acknowledge the concerns of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Remuneration (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Discussions have taken place between public service employers and the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions regarding the Government’s stated intention to reach agreement on securing the required overall savings from the public service pay and pensions bill by 2015. Following intensive engagement between the parties, which was facilitated by the Labour...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts Tenders (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Fixed-price lump-sum public works contracts were introduced in February 2007 as part of the Construction Procurement Reform Initiative the objectives of which are to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and timely and more efficient delivery of projects. A commitment was given to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in 2006 by the Minister for Finance at that time...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (5 Mar 2013)

Brendan Howlin: To facilitate public service management in planning for staff departures in an orderly fashion, I have decided that public servants who retire before the end of August 2014 will have their pension and lump sum calculated by reference to current pay rates, that is, the rates before the pay reductions to higher pay which will apply from 1 July 2013. Separately I intend to bring forward...