Results 16,901-16,920 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (9 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The case which the Deputy makes for information regarding the distribution of funding raised by the National Lottery to be made available by the National Lottery Company is noted. However, for the past number of years, funding raised by the Lottery has only part-funded various programmes across a range of Votes. The remaining funding comes from the exchequer. It is not possible to indicate...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The superannuation benefits of Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas are provided under 2 separate pension schemes – one provides benefits in respect of membership of the Oireachtas only (i.e. in respect of service as a TD and/or Senator); the other provides benefits in respect of service as an Officeholder (e.g. Minister, Minister of State, etc.). The basic terms of the schemes are as...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The superannuation benefits of civil servants are paid in accordance with the relevant superannuation legislation and circulars. Included in these benefits is the provision of a lump sum on retirement. Retirement lump sum is calculated on the basis of 3/80ths of final pay for each year of service, subject to a maximum of 1 1⁄2 times pay. As the Deputy will be aware, in furtherance of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Given the nature of expenditure under this Vote, it is not the practice to provide detailed information as to how the annual allocation has been, or will be, spent. The Appropriation Account of the Vote for the Secret Service is audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General in accordance with Section 3 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993. The C&AG is furnished with...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In regard to awarding contracts for public works, supplies or services, State bodies are required to ensure that winning tenderers can provide a certificate of tax clearance issued by the Revenue Commissioners before a contract is awarded. The issue of whether an employee or contractor is hired is a matter for the particular agency or commercial company.

Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Is this a question?

Order of Business (8 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: That is not a matter for legislation.

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government is committed to reducing the Public Service number to 282,500 by 2015. Given the importance of meeting this challenging numbers target, the moratorium on recruitment will remain in place. Any exceptions to the moratorium will continue to be directed towards areas of most need. In order to mitigate the impact on frontline service provision as far as possible, with the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Returning Officers are required to submit accounts to the Department of Finance within six months of holding an election. The accounts for the recent by-election have not yet been submitted and an accurate break down of costs will not be available until that time. However, €231,000 was advanced to the returning officer to cover the estimated cost of holding the by-election.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have no plans to establish a commission to examine levels of pay in the private and public sectors of the economy. Apart from instances where statutory rates of pay apply, pay rates in the private sector are generally a matter for negotiation between individual employers and employees. My responsibilities in relation to pay extend to the public service where the Government has a direct...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together. Following the informal European Council meeting on 30th January, EU Commission President Barroso has launched a special initiative to boost growth and tackle the problem of youth unemployment. The Commission will work with the eight Member States with the highest youth unemployment rates to develop a plan which could use unallocated...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department is at an advanced stage in the preparation of the General Scheme of a Bill to give effect to the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to Freedom of Information. Subject to Government approval of the draft Heads of the Bill and other priorities in the Government's legislative programme, I expect to be in a position to introduce the Bill to give effect to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Based on data to hand, the numbers of Civil Servants by Department who are due to retire by end-February 2012, having given notice of their intention to retire, are set out in the attached table, including a breakdown by grade where relevant information is to hand. Please insert table.

Written Answers — Exchequer Savings: Exchequer Savings (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The reduction in the gross Exchequer pay bill from 2008 – 2015 is as follows: Year Gross Pay €bn 2008 17.2 2009 17.5 2010 15.9 2011 15.7 2012 15.3 2013 15.0 2014 14.7 2015 14.6 Local Authority and Oireachtas staff are not included in the Exchequer pay bill. 2011 and 2012 figures are estimates as per Budget 2012. 2013-2015 figures are forecasts. The Government target for public...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In the time allowed it is not possible to provide a detailed response to the Deputy. The information will be provided to him as soon as possible. Corresponding information in respect of other Departments should be sought from the relevant Minister.

Written Answers — Departmenal Expenditure: Departmenal Expenditure (7 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The information sought by the Deputy is being collated in respect of retired Civil or Public Servants being paid by my Department or being paid by any bodies under its aegis. The information will be provided to him as soon as possible. Corresponding information in respect of other Departments should be sought from the relevant Minister.

Written Answers — Public Sector Remuneration: Public Sector Remuneration (2 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The agreement of both the relevant Minister and myself is, under various statutes, required in relation to the remuneration of CEOs of Commercial State Companies. Similar provisions do not apply in relation to staff below the level of CEO. In this context my Department does not hold information with regard to grading or salary structures of staff below CEO. The Deputy will be aware that I...

Written Answers — Public Sector Remuneration: Public Sector Remuneration (2 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question each Department is responsible for the semi-State companies which come under their remit. Details in respect of the remuneration packages in place for chief executive officers are a matter for individual Ministers in each Department. In respect of my own Department An Post National Lottery is the only commercial semi –state body. Details in respect of...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: You never were.

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Martin should not be saying that.