Results 16,041-16,060 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government is committed to reducing public service numbers to 282,500 by the end of 2015 as part of its Reform Agenda. The overriding objective is to have a more customer focused, leaner, more efficient and better integrated public service which delivers maximum value for money. The following table sets out the public sector numbers at end 2010, end 2011 and end Quarter 1 in 2012. ...

Public Sector Reform (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As stated by the Ombudsman in her annual report, the ongoing consequences of the economic and financial crisis are reflected in the record number of people who have sought the assistance of her office. The Ombudsman also indicated in her annual report that in the immediate aftermath of the economic downturn, which commenced in 2008, many people were forced to seek State benefits and services...

Public Sector Reform (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have no doubt the Deputy will raise this point directly with the Minister for Health who is the proper channel. I agree with much of what the Deputy said. We examined this issue in advance of the drafting of the programme for Government in which we stated it was our intention to establish a new committee - the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions - to...

Public Sector Reform (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It has been set up. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald's colleague, Deputy Peadar Tóibín, is its Chairman.

Public Sector Reform (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is my intention to introduce legislation to amend the Ombudsman Act. The Deputy is familiar with the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008 which passed Second Stage in the Seanad. I intend to revise it to include the recommendations made by the Ombudsman. I will refer it to the Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions in order that it can examine it. If the committee needs...

Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Reform of the TLAC terms was a major priority for me on taking office. As a result, I introduced a significant reform of the Top Level Appointments Committee, TLAC, terms with effect from November 2011. Under the new arrangements, it is part of the contract terms of all future appointees that, when that contract expires, no added years are available on their pension; no pension will be paid...

Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I explained this to the Deputy already. I do not know if she was not listening or chooses not to hear. We are not retrospectively changing pension entitlements in the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011; we are giving the power to the Minister to change the basis for future pension increases only, not to reduce current entitlements. The Deputy understands...

Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In factual law.

Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy would never give me a pain in the neck.

Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: That is not the part of the anatomy that is affected at all. The Deputy does her usual thing about my unwillingness to deal with the issues. I have dealt with the issue.

Departmental Staff (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I did it within a number of months of being appointed. Whatever it was, it was not quick enough for the Deputy. A number of Secretaries General have been appointed subsequent to the change, for whom the new conditions apply: the new Secretary General at the Department of Education and Skills, Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú, the new Secretary General at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 14 and 17 together. Since taking office, the Government has significantly reduced the salary rates paid to the chief executive officers of commercial State companies. These measures on salaries have included the introduction of a general pay ceiling of €250,000 per annum in the case of all newly appointed CEOs in commercial State companies, along with...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The salary cap is €250,000.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy has misunderstood. The cap for the commercial semi-state sector is €250,000. I have appointed no one above that except the ESB chief executive, and I explained that to the House. We had to offer a multiple of that to get someone to run ESB. I am anxious to significantly reduce top-level pay and I must do it in a structured way. We looked at the Hay rates and reduced them...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I wish to make a final point on the matter. I will give some detail if the Deputy wishes by way of a further supplementary question of the reasoning in this particular instance why I thought a compelling case was made.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy will be surprised to hear that I do not disagree with much of what he said. Ministers work for considerably less than the original threshold, as opposed to the extended rate. A business case was made for a company that has real challenges. We need the right person to drive it and it is important for the health service to have a functioning VHI that does the business well as we...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The basic salary was €312,000. Deputy Boyd Barrett is talking about the final salary with add-ons and bonuses, which I suppose I should add in to be accurate in the total quantum of money. As the Deputy is aware, we are not paying bonuses to anyone in the State sector now. This is a work in progress. We are making decisions. We must have a debate about it. I am under pressure...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is a worthy issue for debate. Perhaps we will have an opportunity to debate it in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Wallace should be careful in talking about salary levels.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have every confidence in Deputy Wallace.