Results 17,761-17,780 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together. The table outlines the ECF for 2011 and 2012 for my Department and organisations under the aegis of my Department. DEPARTMENT/OFFICE 2011 ECF 2012 ECF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND REFORM 323 320 COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE APPOINTMENTS 8 9 OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS 1,857 1,853 OMBUDSMAN 89 89 PRESIDENTS ESTABLISHMENT 21 22 PUBLIC...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: In relation to the Civil Service for which I am responsible, I assume the Deputy is referring to the enhanced retirement benefits and severance payment available in certain circumstances for departing Secretaries General (there is no bonus payment as suggested). A Secretary General is appointed for a fixed term which, as a result of the individual's age at the date of appointment, expires...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Based on bi-monthly reports made to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on expenditure incurred by the Departments with responsibility for the individual tribunals from 1987 listed as follows, the cumulative cost of completed and sitting Tribunals up to end-August 2011, is estimated at €315.747 million, of which €72.515 million comprised administration and €243.232 million...

Written Answers — Foireann na Seirbhíse Poiblí: Foireann na Seirbhíse Poiblí (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Tá srian ar na deiseanna atá ann maidir le fostaíocht san earnáil phoiblí i gcoitinne de bharr an moratóir ar earcaíocht agus ar ardaithe céime a tugadh isteach ar an 27 Márta 2009. Tá feidhm ag an moratóir, ach amháin i gcásanna eisceachtúla theoranta, ar an stát seirbhís, údaráis áitiúla, comhlachtaí stáit neamh-thráchtála, an Garda Síochána, na Forsaí Cosanta...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: My Department is engaged in the necessary preparatory work and consultations to give effect to the commitments in the Programme for Government in relation to Freedom of Information. I hope to be in a position to introduce the necessary legislative measures to give effect to the commitments in the Programme for Government early in the New Year.

Written Answers — Civil Service Staff: Civil Service Staff (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The rates of pay currently applying to grades in the civil service are set out in Circular 28/2009: Revision of pay of Civil Servants Application of pay adjustments in accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, 2009. This circular can be accessed at http://per.gov.ie/circulars2009/. Following the introduction by the Government in June last of a pay...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: In relation to the upcoming referendum to amend the Constitution to enable the Houses of the Oireachtas to undertake full inquiries I have always made it clear that it is my intention to facilitate a comprehensive discussion and an informed debate on the issues involved in the constitutional amendment. In a letter of 27 July, I circulated a copy of the draft wording for the proposed...

Written Answers — Public Service Agreements: Public Service Agreements (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Taoiseach and I met with the Implementation Body for the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 on 29th June last. We had a constructive engagement on the key issues relating to driving the reform agenda across the public service. While we welcomed the tangible progress that has been made in the first year of the Agreement, as outlined in the Body's first progress report published on 15th...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together. I do not accept as suggested by the Trident Report that the value of benefits payable to teachers in the proposed Single Public Service Pension Scheme will exceed the value of employee contributions. It is true that the teacher unions have voiced concerns along these lines, based on the analysis presented in a report by Trident...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am determined that the eventual administrative arrangements will be efficient and cost-effective, and will maximize the potential for money savings inherent in replacing a multitude of schemes featuring disparate terms with a single scheme featuring standard terms. In the short-term there may be some set up costs, for example if the payroll computer systems need to be adapted, but in the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together. It is estimated that the imposition of a cap of €35,000 on the annual pension payments to Civil Service pensioners would result in an annual saving of €47m. This estimate does not allow for the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). If a cap of €35,000 is applied after allowing for the PSPR, the saving would be €37m. The...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It is presumed that the Deputy is asking about the savings which would arise if career-average accrual were to apply to the future service of pensionable public servants. Such a change would undoubtedly deliver significant pension savings to the Exchequer. However a precise quantification of the savings which would arise is not available, and would require a large-scale actuarial exercise....

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that this question relates primarily to Secretaries General and other senior Civil Servants who will benefit from enhanced terms. The retirement terms of Secretaries General are provided for in the Government decision of 5 March 1987. These terms provide for a reappointment in the Civil or Public Service or an international body for those who are under 60 years of age at the...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Much of the data the Deputy is seeking is readily available on my Department's website, www.per.gov.ie, including employment numbers by sector. In relation to the wider public service such data is published, as matter of course, by the various public bodies. The table shows a breakdown of the main Civil Service grades since 2001. This gives an indication of the ratio of management to other...

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Public Service Reform agenda has been pursued both centrally and by individual public bodies for many years. For example, under the Strategic Management Initiative of the mid 1990s, a series of changes were introduced in areas such as Human Resource Management and the Performance Management and Development System, Quality Customer Service and the creation of Customer Service Charters,...

Written Answers — Expenditure Reviews: Expenditure Reviews (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204, 209 and 210 together. The final Comprehensive Review of Expenditure reports have been presented to the Economic Management Council and the results of the Review process will then be brought before Government for consideration and decision in the Budget and Estimates process later this year. The objective of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure...

Written Answers — Procurement Policy: Procurement Policy (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: In light of the need to accelerate the reform agenda, my Department is currently developing a Public Service Reform implementation plan. This Plan will outline the priority actions and timelines for reform in a broad range of areas including procurement, as well as setting out how implementation should be driven and monitored. New initiatives will build on the significant reforms that have...

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am not aware of any specific study in the area referred to. However, the Deputy will be aware that as part of the reform agenda significant work is ongoing, in Government Departments and the wider public service, to improve processes and make them more effective and efficient. Of particular note in this regard is the Organisational Review Program (ORP), which involves the undertaking of...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am confident that the Government will be able to meet the required level of staff reductions through natural wastage and voluntary retirements which will facilitate a permanent, structural reduction in the numbers of staff serving in public service. This reduction in numbers serving is intended to contribute significant and ongoing savings to the Exchequer.

Public Service Appointments (11 Oct 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I am intrigued at the Deputy's embracing of reform after spending the past 11 years in government.