Results 15,961-15,980 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Ministerial Advisers: Ministerial Advisers (18 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 127 together. I do not have political advisors in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. However, I have appointed two special advisers in my Department. The Department formally came in to existence on 6 July 2011 and the question of predecessors does not apply.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 4th April 2012 that the Government has decided to hold a competition for the next National Lottery licence. Since April, my Department has carried out a considerable amount of preparatory work for the competition. It will be necessary to revise the National Lottery Act which was enacted in 1986. My Department is currently carrying out the necessary...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question one chairperson appointed by me to a State Board has appeared before the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee. On 22 November 2011, I re-appointed Mr. Donal Connell as Chairman and Director of An Post National Lottery Company with effect from 6 November 2011 until 28 February 2012. Mr. Connell appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance, Public...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the following appointments were made to bodies under the aegis of my Department. An Post National Lottery Name of Appointee Date Appointed Mr. Donal Connell - ChairmanMr Peter Quinn – Director re-appointedFebruary 29th 2012.16 February 2012 The position to which Mr. Connell was re-appointed by me as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform was not...

Written Answers — Oireachtas Members' Salaries: Oireachtas Members' Salaries (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together. Section 483 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides for a gift on an annual basis to be made to the Minister for Finance to be applied for any purpose for or towards the cost of which public moneys are provided. Gifts are accepted by the Minister for Finance and facilitated and managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and...

Written Answers — Postal Services: Postal Services (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have not received a request to meet with the Postmasters Union.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy should note that summary information on Public Service Numbers is available on my Department's website http://databank.per.gov.ie/ The latest available data on Public Service numbers, with covers the period 2009 to the end of the first quarter 2012 will be forwarded to the Deputy as requested. Ireland is committed under the EU-IMF programme to reducing the overall size of the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Allowances: Ministerial Allowances (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Ministers and Ministers of State are entitled to the same allowances as Members of the Oireachtas with some exceptions. As the Deputy will be aware, the legislation providing for Oireachtas expense allowances is exempt from taxation under section 836 of the Taxes Consolidation Act which was inserted into the this Act by section 3(7) of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Agency staff are employed from time to time in the public sector to meet particular service needs. In general, the agency will be retained on a specific contract by the public service body to carry out the tasks required. In the light of that contract, the staff involved will be recruited and paid by the agency in the normal way. In short, the staff are legally employees of that company...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In replying, I will refer to the number of civil service pensioners. The number of pensioners in each sector of the public service is a matter for each sector. The number of civil service pensioners in the requested pension bands is as follows: Table - Distribution of main scheme civil service pensions Bands Total Less than €10,000 5,155 €10,000- €20,000 2,550 €20,001-...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to the agencies and bodies within the remit of my Department the following outlines who has the power to enter or search a premises and whether a search warrant is required. The Information Commissioner may enter a premises occupied by a Public Body and require it to provide any information required during the course of an investigation or review. The Commissioner for...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question regarding the number of retired public servants who have been awarded temporary or term-time posts in the public sector over recent years I can supply the Deputy with information in respect of offices and bodies under the aegis of my Department only. It would be a matter for other departments to answer in respect of the offices and bodies under their...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The people can elect whoever they like. We cannot tell who people will elect.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The whole Bill applies to new entrants.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: That has nothing to do with this Bill.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Second Stage (13 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am very glad to be back in Seanad Éireann. Since coming into office, this Government has repeatedly shown that it is committed to reform. We are determined to change crucial aspects of Government and public administration, with the long-term interests of the public in mind. In this context, I am today proposing this Bill, which provides for far-reaching reforms of public service...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (12 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The rules on awarding public contracts have provisions which allow the specification of social criteria, such as the requirement for employment of long term unemployed, as a condition in the performance of the contract. Any such provision must be compatible with EU law, i.e. they must be made known to all interested parties and must not restrict participation by contractors from other Member...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (12 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The data available to my Department will be sent to the Deputy next week. Data which is not yet available will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (12 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government decided in March this year to set up the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). An Administrative Officer (Economist) competition was run by the Public Appointments Service. To date, 15 staff have been recruited from this competition to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. After a period of training and development, some of these recruits will...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (11 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Regarding legislation initiated by me since coming into office five Bills have completed the legislative process. In the case of one Bill amendments proposed by members of the opposition were accepted. No opposition amendments were proposed to one Bill. Four of the Bills completed were exempt from the requirements to do Poverty Impact Assessments and Regulatory Impact Analyses and while in...