Results 17,421-17,440 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Sale of State Assets (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The position as understood by the Deputy is not correct. While the programme for Government provides for the sale of non-strategic State assets to part fund investment in key networks of the economy under the NewERA programme, the disposal of State assets is also a requirement under the external funding programme agreed with the European institutions and the International Monetary Fund. The...

Sale of State Assets (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am unsure what the question is but I will tell the Deputy what happened. The original memorandum of understanding signed by the previous Government in December 2010 contained the following commitment: Building on the forthcoming report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities...State authorities will consult with the Commission Services on the results of this assessment with a...

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The comprehensive review of expenditure which has been carried out across all Departments in recent months has carefully examined all areas of Exchequer spending, including the funding provided by Departments to the non-commercial State bodies that operate under their aegis. The comprehensive review of expenditure has been finalised and it is now informing the decisions that the Government...

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Is the Deputy referring to the stipend they get for being board members?

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Fees for board members have already been reduced. The Deputy is probably aware of the controversy whereby I have also issued a directive to the effect that no public servant appointed to a board may be paid a fee. The idea of one person, one fee and one payment should exist. With regard to the amalgamation it seems the back office supports for the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of...

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I did not.

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: We did not go through the possibility with every agency. I examined the possible amalgamations and they were fed out to Departments and observations were taken in. In each area where there is an amalgamation, a subsumption or abolition proposed, the views of the parent Department would have been taken into account.

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I do not know the extent to which the Department consulted with them.

Departmental Agencies (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy would love to lead me into an area but I will not allow her to do that. To put it bluntly, this is about efficiencies and savings. One does not need to consult with every agency to determine if the State can get better back office support by amalgamating human resources management elsewhere. I did not ask every Department if it was willing to have a common pay and pensions...

Fiscal Policy (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Government is currently examining all options as regards the required consolidation in 2012, including the results of the comprehensive review of expenditure and the capital review and is steadfast in its determination to ensure the targets set out in the medium-term fiscal statement are met while prioritising programmes and projects that best support economic recovery. As regards the...

Local Government (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: As I explained in response to previous questions, the revaluation programme began in November 2005 in the South Dublin County Council area where it was completed in 2007. It has since been completed in the Fingal County Council area in 2009 and in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown in 2010. The revaluation of the Dublin City Council area was commenced in May this year, having been postponed for well...

Local Government (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I fully appreciate what the Deputy is saying and I fully agree with him. When I first looked at this issue I was dismayed at the slow pace of progress. Part of the problem is that it is difficult to undertake any valuation when property prices are in total flux, as has been the case in recent years. The competitiveness issue the Deputy has highlighted is a significant problem throughout...

Local Government (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I will revert to the Deputy in regard to when the work is envisaged to be completed in Cork.

Ministerial Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Guidelines on Staffing in Ministerial Offices were revised following decisions by the Government on a number of cost-saving measures relating to the personal appointees of Ministers and Ministers of State. The guidelines specify that all appointments of ministerial staff, including the pay and terms and conditions of employment, require the prior sanction of my Department. Appointments...

Ministerial Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I answered that question in a previous parliamentary question, which I will send to the Deputy.

Public Service Reform (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: This afternoon I announced several key developments in regard to public service reform, including the publication of the Government's public service reform plan which sets the basis for the comprehensive and strategic reform of the public sector in the coming years. At the heart of this reform agenda is a focus on five major commitments to change. These include placing customer service at...

Public Service Reform (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy makes a valid and important point regarding the key element of reform. Like draining the River Shannon or restoring the Irish language, reform is often talked about. However, the key criterion will be the delivery of our objectives in this regard. In the lead-up to the formation of the Government, both Fine Gael and the Labour Party undertook careful analyses of the imperative of...

Public Service Reform (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am happy to be able to agree with the Deputy - I very seldom can in this House. I disagree with him on his first point. Downsizing is the pivotal point in the announcement. We need to downsize to achieve the payroll reductions we need. I do not believe the Deputy would wish me to start cutting the pay rates of the vast bulk of public servants.

Public Service Reform (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: A tiny number have very significant pay, but the vast bulk have very ordinary pay. In order to protect pay rates we need to reduce the numbers and do things differently and more efficiently. The reform agenda is at the core of this, involving how to do things differently with smaller numbers. The public service has risen to that challenge, by and large, and is doing things differently by...

Capital Expenditure Programme (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: In recognition of Ireland's current difficulties, both the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Bank have indicated their support for Ireland and indicated a willingness to offer loans directly to Ireland in respect of infrastructure projects. The interest rate on these loans would be lower than those obtainable either in the bond market or from the European Financial Stability...