Results 19,161-19,180 of 32,610 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Summer Economic Statement (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The publication of the Summer Economic Statement (SES), forms a key part of the reformed budgetary process designed to complement the Stability Programme Update (SPU). The macroeconomic outlook set out in April, as part of the SPU, will underpin the SES. The SES will broadly set out what the Government believes to be the appropriate fiscal policy next year, taking into account Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consular Services Expenditure (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The table outlines the amount paid to consultancy firms by my Department during 2017. My Department ensures that every effort is made to limit the use of consultancy where possible. It should be noted that the complex nature of the Department’s work in recent years in leading major reform programmes, such as the roll-out of shared services by the National Shared Services Office or...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Planning Framework (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The National Planning Framework is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Compliance with 2020 renewable energy targets is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. However, as my Department has been involved in both processes I will address the Deputy’s question. In the first...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Cross-Border Projects (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland and Northern Ireland are currently partners in two EU-funded cross-border Cooperation Programmes, PEACE and INTERREG, with a total value of €550 million over the period 2014-2020. These programmes are 85% funded by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Union's Cohesion Policy. The Irish Government...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Recruitment (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware recruitment for An Garda Síochána is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner in the first instance. Recruitment for an Garda Síochána is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is an independent recruiter for the civil and some parts of the public service. I...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules and guidelines. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. Procurement reform is a key element of the Government's overall reform programme and is aimed at delivering increased value for money, and having a strategic approach to public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The public service is central to economic and social life in Ireland. Significant reforms have been made in recent years and have made the work of the public service more transparent, decision-making more accountable and service delivery more effective and efficient. There has been much progress since the first reform programme was started in 2011, in areas including procurement, shared...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Fiscal Policy (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together. Managing the delivery of public services within allocations and meeting our budgetary targets forms a key part of the responsibilities of every Minister and Department. My own Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching policy responsibility for workforce planning in the Civil Service, including recruitment. The initiation of a recruitment campaign for any particular civil service grade is determined by such factors as identified workforce planning requirements and the need to establish priorities for targeted recruitment into...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Managing the delivery of capital expenditure on issues of infrastructural importance within the allocations agreed in the recently published National Development Plan 2018-2027 is a key responsibility of each Minister and Department. My Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and offices to ensure that capital expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (17 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Prudent management of the public finances in order to ensure that Ireland's economy continues to remain competitive in the face of future economic headwinds is the best and most immediate policy under the Government's control to counter the likely negative economic impacts of Brexit. In Budget 2017 the Government took important steps to prepare the economy. Additional resources were...

Other Questions: Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base Proposals (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: 12 o’clock I will not support any change that infringes the tax sovereignty of this country or poses any challenge to our ability to create and attract jobs here. As acknowledged by Deputy Michael McGrath, I am working with many like-minded countries on these matters. At this point, there is considerable concern in regard to both an interim measure and the development of a...

Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Pearse Doherty said that this matter is still unresolved and unconcluded. I agree with him, it is. Deputies have raised a number of issues with me, as I have dealt with this matter, on where we were with staff loans, where the Central Bank was with staff loans and where we were with the issue on the prevailing rate of interest. I have now updated the House on where that stands. On...

Other Questions: Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base Proposals (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I have not read the book but I did read of the speech. I might ask the Deputy if he read either but I am sure he has. On the different issues he has referred to, President Macron, in his speech, referred to a defined corridor for corporation tax rates and increased convergence and called for a rethink on the taxation of digital companies. EU member states are currently discussing and...

Other Questions: NAMA Operations (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I assume that when the Deputy asks if I have read the report, he is referring to the ruling made by the Data Protection Commissioner. I have not read the ruling, but I do have the summary of the commissioner's views on the matter and an update on NAMA's response. On whether I hold NAMA to account, it has a business or strategic plan and is accountable to me for its implementation. I meet...

Other Questions: NAMA Operations (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Michael McGrath referred to Project Eagle. As he knows, an inquiry is under way and any decision on accountability will have to be dealt after it has been concluded. I hold the board and the chairman accountable for implementation of their business plan and published strategy. Should matters emerge from inquiries that take place which raise issues for NAMA, of course, I will also...

Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In April the Central Bank provided me with a comprehensive update on the tracker mortgage examination. It subsequently published the update on its website. The report indicated that an additional 3,400 impacted on accounts had been identified since the previous December progress report, bringing the total number of impacted on accounts to 37,100. Progress has been made in the payment of...

Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I will answer the Deputy's question, but I wish to return to two other matters related to staff loans included in the Deputy's original question. The Central Bank has made it clear to lenders that their staff, who have impacted mortgage accounts, are to be included in the examination in the same way as all other impacted customers. The Central Bank has now indicated that it is satisfied that...

Other Questions: Personal Contract Plans (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: Personal contract plans, PCPs, are a type of hire-purchase financing agreement used for the purchase of motor vehicles. They normally comprise three parts: an up-front deposit payment, ongoing monthly payments and a final payment at the end of the contract term. While the consumer will have the hire and use of the car, ownership of it remains with the finance provider. Hire-purchase...

Other Questions: Personal Contract Plans (16 May 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: There is no pass the parcel at all taking place in regard to these matters. The figures the Deputy has referred to are correct. Let us look at the amount of new lending in this category. In 2017, it was €835 million. This increased from €96 million in 2012. Therefore, it is a really significant increase. It is a matter that I am taking seriously. As I stated, I am...