Results 18,461-18,480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The role of the National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, is to advise Departments about the optimal means of financing the cost of capital projects in order to achieve value for money, whether procured through a PPP approach or through traditional procurement. Departments and agencies who are decision making bodies are obliged to seek the advice of the NDFA for all capital projects or...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government is committed to developing the PPP process as a viable procurement option for appropriate projects within the overall context of public investment in infrastructure and public services. PPPs are one procurement tool to be used alongside traditional approaches. The PPP procurement option, however, has an important role to play when applied to appropriate projects where there is...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government has taken no decision as yet as to whether there will be a successor to the current seven year national development plan which will run until the end of 2006. Unlike previous occasions there is no requirement under the draft Structural Funds regulations for the period 2007-13 to prepare a national development plan. The introduction of the rolling multi-annual capital envelopes...

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 to 93, inclusive, together. On the totality of public capital programmes and projects, as the Deputy will appreciate, primary responsibility for managing capital programmes and the evaluation, planning and execution of infrastructure projects rests with line Departments and the relevant implementing agencies. This includes addressing capacity and resource...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE balancing statement for the year 2004 will issue to the taxpayer in the coming days, with a cheque in settlement attached.

Written Answers — Commemorative Coinage: Commemorative Coinage (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Since the introduction of euro notes and coins in 2002, two commemorative coins have been issued in Ireland: €5 and €10 coins to mark the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2003; and a €10 coin to mark the accession of ten new member states to the EU during the Irish Presidency in 2004. A €10 coin will be issued in May this year to mark the bicentenary of the birth of William Rowan...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested is not readily available but Revenue will source as much information as possible and forward this to the Deputy within a matter of weeks.

Written Answers — Parental Leave Provisions: Parental Leave Provisions (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The arrangements for maternity leave for civil servants come within my area of responsibility. Arrangements in other parts of the public service are the responsibility of the appropriate Minister. Under maternity protection legislation all employees are entitled to 18 weeks' paid maternity leave and eight weeks' additional unpaid maternity leave. Maternity benefit is payable to employees for...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: On the issues raised in the submission from the Retired Nurses Association that are within my area of responsibility, while superannuation benefits of nurses are a matter for the Minister for Health and Children in the first instance, the position for public service pensions generally is that prior to 31 July 1973 the law required that female employees had to resign on marriage. In such...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (21 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together. In carrying out the functions of his-her office, every Minister is expected at all times to observe the highest standards of ethical behaviour. In 2003, pursuant to section 10(2) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, the Government drew up the Code of Conduct for Office Holders. The code was published by the Standards in Public...

Written Answers — College Building Projects: College Building Projects (20 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: This application is being processed by officials from my Department in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Education and Science. A meeting to discuss the details of the application was held some time ago and further information will be provided and enquiries will be conducted. Upon receipt of the requested information the matter will be considered further.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (20 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The following are the details requested for my office and that of the Minister of State. Name Function or Title Status Contract Terms Annual Salary Minister's Office Gerry Steadman Special Adviser Full-time No contract, seconded civil servant â'¬68,651 plus 10% allowance Sinead Dooley Personal Assistant Full-time Fixed...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (20 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The following travel and subsistence costs were incurred for the calendar year 2004 by certain staff in my office and that of the Minister of State. In my office Mr. Gerry Steadman, a special adviser, incurred €914.51. In addition Mr. Michael Fitzpatrick, personal assistant to my predecessor, incurred €13,446.66 in 2004. I do not have a programme manager or press communications adviser....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: There were 2,196 unestablished civil servants serving in Departments, offices and tribunals in the State on 31 March 2005.

Written Answers — Debt Relief: Debt Relief (20 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The sale or revaluation of part of IMF gold reserves to cover the costs of additional debt relief has been proposed in addition to a number of other mechanisms to fund the relief of the debts of poor countries. At the recent spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank there was preliminary discussion of key issues regarding proposals for further multilateral debt relief and its financing...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (20 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have reviewed the case for 2003 and that the P21, balancing statement, will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the decentralisation implementation group's report of 19 November 2004, it was recommended that the State agencies listed in the table below receive initial priority attention in terms of implementing the programme while still ensuring progress for the remaining organisations. Location Organisation Posts Birr FÁS 390.5 Clonakilty BIM 94 Drogheda Comhairle 47.5...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: From the announcement of the Government's decentralisation programme in December 2003, it was made clear that participation in the relocation programme was voluntary. All those civil and public servants wishing to remain in Dublin on the transfer of their current post will be offered an alternative public service post in Dublin. My Department has been in ongoing discussions with the civil...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government has made it clear that participation in the relocation programme is on a voluntary basis. Staff in the participating organisations have been assured that if they wish to remain in Dublin, they will be offered an alternative public service post in the capital. This remains the position. It has been clear from the beginning that future promotion policies must take account of the...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (19 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume that the Deputy is referring to liquor licences. I have arranged for the Deputy to be provided with lists of all licensed premises in counties Roscommon and Leitrim according to the records of the Revenue Commissioners.